Flight Jackets—More Than a Fashion Statement, They’re a Rite of Passage

They’re practical, collectible, a fashion statement, an artist's canvas, part of family traditions, and more.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, March 07, 2022 at 02:19 PM ET

Verified

Waist-length flight jackets started to appear in the 1920s. [Courtesy: Anneke Helleman]

Key Takeaways:

Originating in the early 20th century for pilots, flight jackets, particularly the iconic A-2, evolved into distinct designs crafted from materials like leather.
Original WWII-era flight jackets are highly valued collectibles, with prices reaching over $10,000, especially for those with authenticated provenance and artwork.
Collectors prioritize authenticity, using specific historical details to verify jackets, and advise against restoration which can devalue the artifact.
Beyond collecting, accurate reproductions allow enthusiasts to wear historically-styled jackets, while original jacket artwork preserves significant personal and military stories.

See a mistake? Contact us.

There are few articles of clothing more iconic than an aviator’s flight jacket. It doesn’t matter if it is made from animal hide or a man-made fabric, if it was issued, purchased or a gift—there is something about the jacket that quickly makes it a favorite piece of clothing.

How it Began

The concept of the flight jacket traces back to 1910 when members of the Royal Flying Corps in Belgium and France took to the air in unheated open-cockpit biplanes, balloons, and airships. Leather was more windproof than cloth—therefore warmer—so it became the fabric of choice for an aviator’s outerwear. The first garments covered the pilot from neck to ankle.