The strongest cold wave is raging across the country. We're in the middle of winter, but if we can get through it, spring will be just around the corner.
SS26 items will be arriving little by little from now on. Although it's just the beginning, some of the most anticipated items of this season have arrived in stores.
A-1 FLIGHT JACKET - HORSE NUBUCK
Item No. 80520090000
Colour : Camel
Size : 46 / 48 / 50 / 52
"Next time, I'll be making some amazing leather jackets for spring and summer, so look forward to it."
That's what ZUKI said a long time ago. He was right.
The ultimate spring leather jacket.
Personally, it's definitely the best I've ever made.
The leather that is the lifeblood of a jacket is horse nubuck.
Horse leather is often featured during the Autumn/Winter season, so many people will be familiar with it. Horse leather is highly flexible and lighter than cowhide, making it the perfect material for brands like Nigel Cabourn, which incorporate many unique details into their designs.
The nubuck used in this product has a brushed surface on the grain (top). Suede is made by brushing the underside. Nubuck with a brushed surface has a finer texture and a more luxurious feel, making it a favorite among leather enthusiasts.
As the fine brushing on the surface settles with wear, the gloss increases and the colour gradually darkens.
The selection of the camel colour allows you to enjoy the leather's wonderful aging process even more.
It's hard to convey in an image, but as this is a spring/summer item, it has been made in lightweight leather.
The artisans have carefully crafted it to be just the right thickness, without being too transparent so as not to compromise its strength. The soft, almost clingy feel is something you won't experience with any other leather.
Also, the pattern of scratches and other imperfections will vary from piece to piece, which is unique to leather.
Now, let's take a look at the A-1 Flight Jacket, a model that also appeared in AW25.
The A-1 is a summer flight jacket adopted in 1927 by the USAAF (United States Army Air Corps), before the USAF (United States Air Force) became an independent unit.
Roughly 100 years ago, zippers had not yet been put into practical use, so this product reflects this tradition and features button closures only on the front. The buttons used on this jacket are horn buttons, which have a tasteful, distorted texture and are the perfect match for the aging of the horse nubuck.
For AW25, the top button was replaced with a clip part as an additional twist, but for this product, the same type of buttons have been used for all buttons. The Nigel Cabourn-like arrangement was very appealing, but the straightforward details this time around were also excellent.
The stand-up collar rib at the neck, the leather tab in a different colour to the body, and the inorganic snap buttons. The neck, where different materials are beautifully harmonised, is one of the highlights of this product.
Styling with a scarf or hoodie is great, but we hope you will enjoy showing off these neck details when wearing it.
The carefully crafted ribbing, which is attached to the neck, sleeves, and hem, is produced on an old-fashioned knitting machine. Thanks to adjustments and maintenance by skilled artisans, old-fashioned knitting machines are still in operation today and are said to be rare, with only a few remaining in Japan.
The ribbing, knitted by skilled artisans on rare knitting machines, is an excellent part that provides just the right amount of tightness while also withstanding long-term wear.
The back features large action pleats that mean arm movement isn't restricted even when the jacket is just the right size.
This is a detail that has been seen on other products before, and the action pleats mean that you won't feel restricted even when wearing a few layers underneath.
The TANKER JACKET released in AW24 also had similar details, so many of you may recognise them. Personally, I love this detail as it adds a lot to the masculinity.
Height: 186cm / Wearing Size: 52
There are four sizes available, from 46 to 52.
I usually wear sizes 52 or 54, and the 52 was a little roomy for me. With this type of item, the key is to choose a size that fits just right so that it ages beautifully, rather than wearing it oversized.
The key to styling this is to coordinate the colours with your leather accessories, including your shoes.
For my feet, I chose VIBERG's special order APSLEY BOOTS, and for my belt, I chose SOAK IN WATER's distinctive FUN mesh belt. They are different colours and textures, but they match perfectly.
Both are available at our FLAGSHIP STORE, so please take a look. Both items are truly amazing.
Of course, it's leather, so it's expensive.
But there aren't many items that truly deserve the description "lifetime."
Enjoy this Nigel Cabourn leather jacket, a piece that will only grow in patina as it ages.
