Skipping protocol

Our wardrobes are no strangers to military jackets, though it is remarkable how, despite its imperishable connotation, it has become an enduring trend. No matter how controversial this might sound, I have zero complaints about it since I think that military uniforms, especially the most solemn ones, far from the battlefields and trenches, are a work of art. This last spring military jackets continued to be a massive trend in the fashion industry. On days when it is neither cold nor hot (at least London-bound) it is difficult to predict what to wear and, even wearing several thin layers of clothing may seem like the least appealing solution, might end being the wiser to go for. The demi-season jackets are one of my favourite garments and since we wear lighter and/or fewer layers and in short, content on us, why shouldn’t we wear genuine, beautiful pieces that feel great as well as reflect our personality and style?!

I recently came across a hard-to-find piece by pure chance. A Royal Air Force (RAF) mess jacket. This beautiful garment is specifically worn at formal evenings the Air and Space Force, known as His Majesty Armed Forces of the United Kingdom holds. It was designed originally for men and features a high wasted, blue and grey single-breasted jacket fastened at the front with the uniquely made RAF golden buttons. This would commonly go together with a waistcoat and tailored trousers in the same material and colour but also a white Marcella dress shirt and a black bow tie as normal. Status ranks, for officers, are indicated by a gold braid at the bottom of the sleeve.

The first RAF mess dress was introduced in 1920. The insignia of the one I own are shown on the shoulder pads with gold lace as the uniform was adapted in 1928 when shoes were replaced by boots and medals with gold lace and bright blue stripes were instituted. This modified version of the uniform lasted until 1934 when it was replaced by a version like today's men's casual dress and the use of the mess dress was discontinued during World War II. RAF personnel without the mess dress, such as airmen, junior officer cadets and some non-regular officers, wear a simpler uniform with a white shirt (not Marcella) and a black rather than white bow tie. These are some of the best English brands where you can find amazing vintage military pieces or made-to-measure for you.

https://www.goodallstailors.co.uk/shop/royal-air-force-shop

https://www.ecsnaith.com/corps-regiment/raf/mess-dress/raf-m-officers-mess-dress.html

https://www.ecsnaith.com/

I am wearing this gorgeous jacket but with a twist as almost always, moving away from the original uniform and skipping all protocols. This piece is the epicentre of the whole look, so I kept the rest quite sober. I’ve styled it with beige tailored trousers, matching socks and navy, leather shoes with lo laces by design. The baseball-like t-shirt in white and red with “The Simpsons” reference graphic print, relaxes the look and make it more fun while still classy. The vintage belt goes beautifully with the navy shoes and the gold buckle with the sunglasses and the buttons of the jacket. The newspaper-print tote bag is the last touch that breaks the “rigidity and authority” of the garment making this random mix one of my favourite looks. Here are some more military outerwear in my wardrobe that have been seen before:

http://tamangoblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/wear-it-again.html

http://tamangoblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/like-falling-from-sky.html

http://tamangoblog.blogspot.com/2022/12/fallen-from-sky.html

http://tamangoblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-must-colour-in-city.html

http://tamangoblog.blogspot.com/2023/02/made-for-you-not-for-your-father.html