Black A-2 style with action back! Interesting movie take

[rolando_ol]

Just saw the movie Lucy (pretty "meh") but one main character was wearing a very interesting jacket; a black A-2 (no epaulets) with an action back. Attached are some stills I grabbed (not the best quality); this style interests me. For sure its more fashion than accurate repro, but I wonder if anyone has come across something like this before?

 

[Dinerman]

This sort of combination A-2 / G-1 style has been a common "bomber" jacket design since the 1960s.

 

[rolando_ol]

Dinerman, you have any example threads/links that have pictures, that are better than my still? Thanks!

 

[Seb Lucas]

Check Gibson and Barnes, US Wings, Cockpit USA and Schott - all have made similar. And even Aero do a ANJ Style.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Here's a yummy looking Aero ANJ-3 on their sale page right now size 42.

 

[nick123]

One of the best on the page! ^
Whenever I contemplate an A-2 purchase, I always overlook the ANJ. Really cool jacket. I'm mixed on the bi-swing, but it's grown on me.

I briefly owned a Gibson Barnes Raider in black goatskin. Out of the different models I tried from GB, the Raider was tied for the best. They might still offer an antique cow in that model. It looks like it has more color variation than the goat.

 

[Edward]

If you're looking at an Aero ANJ3, make sure to talk to them about sizing. I briefly owned one years ago that I bought used. I sold it on to a poster on here. Lovely jacket, but you need to take into account that they are cut neat - a little bit even more so than an M442a. I'd need to go up a size or two on one of these compared to my A2 size.

The jacket in the photos in the OP, as Dinerman has suggested, looks like a civilian version to me. Aside from the obvious non-military black colour, there's the stud on the neckflap and the overall look of the fit hich suggest to me that it's a civilian jacket which takes inspiration from the A2/G1/ANJ3 without reproducing any specific model. I remember these being especially popoular in the eighties (not least after Top Gun was such a big hit). Main difference between this revivial of a fifties style and the originals, of course, was that the eighties jackets in my experience had a much puffier fit. I suspect I could size down to around a 40 in an eighties-to-current Schott and still have an accurate fifties look (I average a 44 in most jackets, a 46 in a Schott 618). The big bonus of this style, if it's one you want to buy, is that there were so many of them made, and for so long. If you can find one with the right fit for you, as a rule it'll be much cheaper than some other styles which are considered more collectable. If you steer clear of Schott (obviously the brand ups their used-value somewhat), you can find any number of very decent eighties versions of these jackets for in and around GBP30 or less, with luck. Ignore the numbers and find the right fit for you, and they can look great. I've seen quite a lot of these on the UK rockabilly scene looking really sharp.

 

[rolando_ol]

Thanks all for the wonderful reply!

Edward, what are some decent brands that fit neat/slim 38/40 that I should be looking for on the 'bay (eg not the puffy kind)?

 

[Edward]

Thanks all for the wonderful reply!

Edward, what are some decent brands that fit neat/slim 38/40 that I should be looking for on the 'bay (eg not the puffy kind)?

TBH, I think fit with these is so hit and miss, you're better looking at them in person rather than online... Fit varies, some you can size down, others that gives problems with armlength and such. Not sure there's any one brand I've seen I'd recommend buying without the chance to try on...

 

[Peter Mackin]

On of my fofavourite jackets is my black goatskin Gibson and Barnes skyliner...it very versatile & terrific quality..removal liner & usable pockets...highly recommended.

 

[Seb Lucas]

G&B Skyliner - yep that's in the style alright - except no knits. Problem for me has always been it's fairly baggy - in the company's words "off the shoulder" with 1980's styling. But a trim one might please the OP. Also not all that keen on the pockets.

 

[Peter Mackin]

G&B Skyliner - yep that's in the style alright - except no knits. Problem for me has always been it's fairly baggy - in the company's words "off the shoulder" with 1980's styling. But a trim one might please the OP. Also not all that keen on the pockets.

View attachment 20765

I got this one from eBay..almost new..im a size44 but took a chance on a 40...fits a treat..& it's great having pockets that will do the job..

 

[rolando_ol]

Its a nice jacket, but seems baggy and the lack of knits makes it not that "usable" in cold weather, for my own purposes.

 

[kojax]

i like jackets with the knits to

 

[Sloan1874]

It's reminiscent of Aero's Winward, a style that I always keep my eye out for on Aero's sale pages. It's a very short jacket, so you need to own the right jeans/trousers, but there's something very cool to me about the look (even with the elasticated waist).

 

[nick123]

I've always wondered how it would look longer. I don't know if it would look all that bad.

 

[Peter Mackin]

It's reminiscent of Aero's Winward, a style that I always keep my eye out for on Aero's sale pages. It's a very short jacket, so you need to own the right jeans/trousers, but there's something very cool to me about the look (even with the elasticated waist).

I partexchanged my windward for my highwayman....I always thought it was too short....kinda bull fighterish short.....a skyliner in the right size is very versatile...it's getting round g&b sizing that's tricky

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, I imagine it's almost bolero-esque, so I doubt it would ever be a 'go to' jacket, but a cool thing to own in its own right.

 

[rolando_ol]

I partexchanged my windward for my highwayman....I always thought it was too short....kinda bull fighterish short.....a skyliner in the right size is very versatile...it's getting round g&b sizing that's tricky

OT, but G&B sizing is really the worst!