Eventually, the bomber jacket was decommissioned by the military, and surplus MA-1s began to make their way onto the civilian market. Soon, they were a fixture of various subcultures, from the punk to the hip-hop scenes, until appearances in blockbusters like Top Gun brought the aviation jacket style right back into the mainstream. Since then, its graced the backs of legends like Kevin Costner, Justin Bieber, A$AP Rocky, and more. Which brings us to me.
I would never compare myself to names like those, but I am now another owner of an MA-1. I opted for the sage green outer over the black, which is butter when paired with eggshell-toned pants, classic chukka boots, and a chunky sweater. Wearing it, I’ve found that the MA-1 is ridiculously powerful—the water-resistant flight nylon laughs in the face of bad weather, while the snug collar, cuffs, and waistband trap heat and keep out the cold.
I went with my usual size (small), and the fit is flattering without feeling too bulky. And don’t let its lightweight feel fool you; this thing insulates like your favorite L.L.Bean sleeping bag. Wearing it is like stepping into your own portable cocoon. And bonus: the jacket is fully reversible, so you can either channel your inner Maverick or a traffic cone, depending on the day.
