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Leather Flight Jacket

August 30, 2020 By In Jackets, Leather Jackets, Men's Jackets No Comments

The catalog copy for the new Leather Flight Jacket begins with a critique of the faults of the “classic Flight Jacket” without mentioning the previous Goatskin Flight Jacket from BR was an updated copy of the classic and had many of those same faults.

From the catlogue:” The classic leather flight jacket originally worn by Navy pilots (and now a collector’s item) had three limitations: the fur collar was occasionally too warm, the goatskin was so glossily finished that the jacket looked eternally brand-new; and there were no hand pockets (presumably because said appendages are occupied when you’re aiming a Hellcat at the flight deck of a carrier). Our own version preserves the inside map pocket, bi-swing back, and underarm gussets-but we made the sheepskin collar detachable and added side-entry pockets. We chose velvety lambskin over goatskin, then buffed it so the jacket looks lived-in before it’s maiden flight.”

The buffed lambksin Leather Flight Jacket replaced the Goatskin Flight Jacket in the Fall 1986 Catalog. The illustration by staff artist (and leather specialist) Peggy MacGovern is a stunning colored pencil rendering.

The Fall 1988 Leather Flight Jacket seems to have removed the sheepskin collar attachment, so new artwork was needed.

Banana Republic Catalog #33 Fall 1987 Ticking Shirt, All-Terrain Pants, Flight Jacket Banana Republic Catalog 37 Fall 1988 Flight Jacket, High Plains Sweater, Odyssey Pants Banana Republic Catalog #30 Holiday 1986 Whole Grain Sweater, Flight Jacket, Aviator's Scarf Banana Republic Catalog #34 Holiday 1987 Flight Jacket, Aviator's Scarf, Merino Wool Turtleneck, Travel Diary Banana Republic Holiday 1985, Flight Jacket, Flight Helmet, Swedish Army Tie, White Collar Workshirt Banana Republic Catalog #35 Flight Jacket, Low-Profile Bag, Ecology Sweater Banana Republic #26 Fall 1986 Flight Jacket, Aviator's Scarf, Wildlife Engraving T-Shirt
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About The Author

Robyn Adams
Robyn’s fascination with Banana Republic began in 1984 when her Alaskan adventurer father began buying their clothing and giving her their catalogs. She loved the clothes, and as an artist, she was drawn to the illustrations. Robyn went on to study illustration at an art college in Banana Republic’s hometown of San Francisco, CA, and she worked for years as a background artist for animation. She is now based in Oakland, CA and works as a graphic designer and illustrator. She has been collecting and archiving at Abandoned Republic since 2011.