Uniqlo Riffs on an Iconic 1950s Military Jacket for a Fraction of the Price

After duping Baracuta, Mackintosh and Barbour, the Japanese retailer sets its sights on one of the most revered military jackets of all time.

Olive green bomber jacket with zippered arm pocket worn over a black turtleneck and black belt.

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By Jack Seemer

Published 2 hours ago

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Uniqlo’s reputation is virtually unmatched in the realm of affordable, well-made basics.

But over the past few years, the Japanese retailer has quietly become something more specific: a reliable source for affordable takes on classic menswear jackets.

After duping Baracuta, Mackintosh, Levi’s, Arc’teryx and even Barbour, Uniqlo has its sights set on one of the most iconic silhouettes in military history, the MA-1 bomber, set for release in the coming weeks.

Black bomber jacket with front zipper, two snap-button flap pockets, ribbed cuffs, and a zippered pocket on the left sleeve. — The Uniqlo MA-1 Blouson is an affordable take on the famous bomber jacket manufacturer by Alpha Industries throughout the 20th century.

Trick up the sleeve

The MA-1 was developed in the 1950s as a cold-weather flight jacket for US military personnel. Replacing the earlier B-15, it combined a nylon shell, ribbed collar, knit cuffs and a utility pocket on the sleeve.

Dark olive green bomber jacket with zippered pocket on sleeve worn over a cream sweater and olive shirt. — The jacket carries a nylon shell and utility pocket on the left sleeve.

Manufactured by Alpha Industries under contract by the Department of Defense, the MA-1 saw combat until the 1980s. But like many great military inventions, it found a second life in the civilian sector.

Alpha Industries still sells the MA-1 and it remains the benchmark against which every interpretation gets measured. Uniqlo’s new MA-1 Blouson is no exception.

Olive green bomber jacket with zippered sleeve pocket worn over a navy turtleneck sweater. — Uniqlo’s jacket comes in classic military colors, such as olive, however the original MA-1 was issued in sage green.

Man wearing a black bomber jacket over a cream cable-knit sweater, white shirt, loose black jeans, and black shoes. — The Uniqlo MA-1 Blouson has the boxy proportions associated with the original.

The retailer’s version follows the same blueprint, hitting the key notes of the original with a nylon shell exterior, left-sleeve pocket and boxy, rounded silhouette … for a fraction of the cost.

Alpha Industries’s jacket starts at $200, while Uniqlo’s MA-1 Blouson clocks at $80.

To be sure, Uniqlo isn’t new to military-inspired outerwear. Its sister brand GU collaborated with Engineered Garments last year on a collection that leaned heavily on workwear and military references.

However, the new MA-1 Blouson arrives this fall as a more direct tie-in, with wider distribution through Uniqlo’s expanded footprint.

Young woman wearing a dark green bomber jacket over a black hoodie and white buttoned shirt. — Uniqlo lists the jacket as a unisex style, available in three colors: olive (pictured), black and dark brown.

Availability and pricing

Available in September, according to the product page, the MA-1 Blouson costs $80 and comes in three unisex colors, olive, black and dark brown.

Black bomber jacket with front zipper, snap-button flap pockets, ribbed collar, cuffs, and hem, and zippered sleeve pocket.

Uniqlo Unisex MA-1 Blouson

$80 at Uniqlo

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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