My Textbook Bomber Jacket Just Hit the Extremely on Sale Rack

For more October Prime Day intel—including a discount on the bomber jacket every vintage fiend swears by—check our guide to the best Prime Day clothing deals. Then make moves to GQ's frequently-updated master list of every single Prime Day deal that matters.Unless you're in the market for, y'know, a Zojirushi rice cooker or whatever, the return of Amazon Prime Day doesn't mean much for your closet. It does, however, mean that at intermittent moments over the next few days, a few all-time wardrobe classics will be cheaper than usual, like, say, these exact Levi's jeans. Or, as is the case at this very moment, the Alpha Industries MA-1 flight jacket, a genre-defining mil-spec icon that's long since transcended its origins.Here’s the story: In Knoxville, Tennessee in 1959, Alpha Industries answered the US Department of Defense’s call to produce military apparel for troops across the globe, manufacturing soon-to-be-iconic designs such as the M-65 field jacket, the MA-1 flight jacket, and the N-3B parka. The MA-1, though, stood out especially thanks to its bright orange lining and hardy sage green or sharp black exterior. (That orange lining, by the way, isn’t just a cheeky design flex—it’s a safety feature, ensuring high visibility in emergencies.)Courtesy of Omar AtwanCourtesy of Omar AtwanEventually, 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.Alpha IndustriesMA-1 Bomber JacketAlpha IndustriesMA-1 Bomber JacketI 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.Courtesy of Omar AtwanCourtesy of Omar AtwanNow, let’s talk value. Sure, Alpha Industries' isn’t the cheapest option, but at $200 for a proven winner, you’re paying a lot less than most legacy brands with similar historic bona fides would charge. Better yet, like I alluded to up top, the MA-1 is currently 20% off on The Everything Store, which means all those historic bona fides are firmly within reach. With its balance of functionality, heritage, and modern flair, the MA-1 isn’t just a jacket—it’s the jacket. Now make it yours.