In the modern menswear wardrobe, many pieces are inspired by or inherited from military kit. Shirts, jackets, trousers: many former combatants have laid down their arms before playing the veteran in our wardrobes, together forming the now-famous “militaria style”.
Today, we pay tribute to an icon of this repertoire with a free and personal interpretation of the celebrated flight jacket.
Fasten your seatbelts, take-off is imminent.
A brief history of the flight jacket
Closely linked to the history of military aviation, the story of these jackets is rich and winding. Designed to equip air force pilots, they naturally had to be warm and insulating, but also robust, comfortable and practical. Between the beginning of the 20th century and the present day, several designs followed one another, varying in material, collar, pocket placement and fastening system. Not all stood the test of time, but a handful of cult models have crossed the decades to enter the civilian wardrobe:
- The A1 jacket. The first “flight jacket” designed by the US Army, it entered the pantheon of its kind with its rib-knit stand collar, leather body and two patch flap pockets.
- The A2 jacket. A variation on its predecessor, the A2 replaced the A1 in 1930, swapping the high collar for a shirt-style collar and gaining a pair of shoulder tabs.
- The B3 jacket. Developed in 1934 for bombers flying at (very) high altitude, this model stands out for its sheepskin lining. A guarantee of staying warm, even several kilometres up.
- The B10 jacket. A descendant of the B3, it was made in 1943 from a very dense cotton canvas with an alpaca lining. A lighter alternative to its great-grandfather.
- The MA-1. Better known as the “bomber”, it took flight in the 1950s, with a nylon body, orange lining, a pocket on the left sleeve and a teddy collar.
The flight jacket according to Hast
Flight jacket, bomber jacket, fly jacket, bomber, flight jacket: many names coexist to describe fighter pilots’ jackets. Over time and through its evolutions, this style has become an essential, even on solid ground.
As part of our autumn-winter 2025 collection, we wanted to pay tribute to it with a wholly peaceful interpretation of this queen of the skies.
Echoing the overview we have just given, you will easily notice that our flight jacket borrows from some of its predecessors. The short, fitted cut of the early A1s, the A2’s zip fastening, the B3’s shearling collar and slightly dropped shoulder, or the MA-1’s slanted pockets. Meanwhile, the cuff adjusters recall the snug ribbed trims that protected pilots from draughts. So many nods to the history of this piece, adapted to contemporary ways of life.
Above all, it is the work on the material that sets this apart from an overly literal interpretation of military references. Turning away from leather and nylon, we chose to dress our jackets in a thick wool cloth; a natural material whose elegance needs no further proof.
A water-repellent 320g/m2 fabric for the blue model shown here.
A 255g/m2 herringbone fabric for its more textured variation.
Both styles are lined in cotton and feature viscose sleeve linings that make them easier to slip on. Invisible ribbed cuffs provide complete insulation, just as they did back then. Finally, each has a removable genuine sheepskin collar, black on the first and white on the second. For the record, we sourced these sheep fleeces from dormant stock (the famous “deadstocks”) to line the collars of our flight jackets.
Wearing the Hast flight jacket
You need not fly a Mirage 2000 to wear this prince of the skies. Its military heritage may be palpable, but it is nonetheless designed for peaceful everyday wear. The ultimate winter jacket, it will keep you warm from the first cold snaps to the last spring showers, adding just the right amount of Top Gun to your life (that is to say, very little).
With its removable shearling collar, it stands out as a versatile piece, equally at home in very classic looks and more formal outfits. While pairing it with chinos (another cult piece from the military wardrobe) is an obvious choice, it can also be worn with jeans, wool trousers or even pleated trousers. Its subtly tailored cut leaves enough room to wear it over a T-shirt, a shirt, a jumper or all three.
Making the most of the richness of the herringbone fabric, we have also created a matching set, made entirely from this material. Alongside the flight jacket, you will find trousers, a suit jacket and finely crafted gloves in the same cloth. Suit or no suit? Uniform or not? The choice is yours: mix and match as you please, or proudly embrace the total look.
A word on care
As a wool piece, we strongly recommend taking your flight jacket to the dry cleaner for dry cleaning when needed. Between May and October, try to place it in a protective garment bag so it can be stored in the best conditions during its hibernation. During the season, also make sure to keep it on a broad-shouldered hanger when it is not sitting proudly on your own. These few precautions will help maximise its lifespan.
A final word
Born over a century ago with the development of military aviation, the flight jacket has continued to evolve over the decades, constantly adapting to the needs and requirements of pilots. In 2024, we offer our own peaceful interpretation, prepared the Hast way with the ingredients you know: certified natural materials, transparency, European craftsmanship and honesty.
A pair of statement pieces, freely inspired by the great designs of the era and crafted from 100% wool. Enough to send your wardrobe to seventh heaven while keeping your feet on the ground.