On SPECTRUM we have reserved a specific section to bomber and varsity jackets. The former category includes reversible models and military-inspired outerwear featuring a highly distinctive inner padding, while the latter is mainly made up of college and satin jackets. Notable jackets include sportswear giants such as Nike, Mitchell & Ness and New Era along with skate brands and military clothing producers – Dickies, Alpha Industries, Carhartt WIP. Read more…
Worldwide acclaimed garments usually arise from a real need. That is what happened with bomber jackets: those military gears were originally conceived to replace the heavy leather jackets used by aviators during World War II, and provide them with a lighter and more breathable alternative. The first prototype was unveiled in 1949 and went by the name of MA-1 jacket: contemporary bomber jackets still use the same structure of this iconic reversible jacket, featuring a waterproof nylon outer layer with a cord collar, containing an eye-grabbing lining to allow aviators to report an emergency in case of crash. Military clothing producer Alpha Industries was the first brand to understand the potential of bomber jackets, while the first model created by a full-fledged streetwear brand came by the English camouflage maestro Maharishi. Bomber and varsity jackets share a similar path: they were originally conceived for a niche audience, and they both turned into street clothing staples. More specifically, hip hop was the first subculture to use varsity jackets off the pitch, also because music and sport have a special relationship in the USA. Athletes and rappers started adding embroideries and twill patches to their jackets, an established habit that many street brands carry on by producing custom made satin jackets and college outerwear. Our varsity offering is really diverse as it encompasses casually-styled models alongside sportswear brands Mitchell & Ness and New Era, which keep American sport tradition alive through warm-up jackets and vintage NBA jackets dedicated to popular teams – Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Warriors, Knicks. Skate brands Stüssy, Obey and Huf manufacture cotton twill and corduroy varsity jackets provided with loud printing and bold patches, while models from American lifestyle brands such as Tommy Jeans and Calvin Klein follow a more preppy aesthetic, and Nike varsities are halfway between technical sport outerwear and a casual jacket. Thanks to their unmatched popularity and the ease of customizing, varsity and college jackets are often the prime piece of streetwear collaborations.