A refined take on the classic US Army Air Corps flight jacket.
Crafted from supple, rich-toned calfskin suede, Drake's Tobacco Heavyweight Suede A-2 Bomber Jacket takes a classic military design and turns it into a masterclass in modern outerwear. Drake's has refined the traditional flight jacket silhouette, keeping the vintage roominess through the chest and body while cleaning up the lines. The result is an Italian-made blouson that drapes with real weight and presence straight out of the box.
The Drake's Tobacco Heavyweight Suede A-2 Bomber Jacket takes a classic military design and turns it into a masterclass in modern outerwear.
What is an A-2 flight jacket?
The A-2 was adopted by the US Army Air Corps in 1931 as standard-issue kit for pilots. It was designed for open cockpits and long hours at altitude, so every feature had a job. A wind-blocking leather shell, a front zip, snap-flap pockets that stayed shut in the air, and knitted cuffs and waistband to seal out the cold.
The originals were most often cut in horsehide, sometimes goatskin, and built to be worn hard. That practical DNA is why the A-2 has never really left menswear. It is one of the few pieces of military clothing that reads as well on a city street today as it did on an airfield ninety years ago.
How does the Drake's A-2 fit?
Drake's has neatened the original silhouette without losing its character. There is still some vintage fullness through the chest and body, so it layers comfortably over a sweater or a light jacket. The rib-knit hem gathers it at the waist for that classic blouson shape. Most people take their usual size. Stop by Uncle Otis's Spadina store and try it on if you are between sizes.
The details:
Every detail speaks for itself. A crisp spread collar. A smooth two-way zip, so you can open it from the hem when seated. Snap-flap front pockets taken straight from the original spec. A full twill lining that slides easily over a knit or a shirt. Dense rib-knit trim at the hem and cuffs that locks in warmth and holds its structured shape over years, not months.
Seen on Screen
There is a reason this jacket has caught the eye of wardrobe stylists across film and television. It has made high-profile appearances in The Day of the Jackal, starring Eddie Redmayne, and in Season Two of Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen. Both are worlds where clothing has to signal quiet confidence without saying too much. Shop here.
How to wear a suede bomber jacket
This is exactly the kind of investment piece we love bringing to the shop. It pairs with tailored trousers and a roll-neck for the evening, or with raw Japanese denim and a white tee at the weekend. Tobacco is a warm, versatile brown that works with navy, cream, olive, grey and indigo.
Why calfskin suede?
Suede is leather with the inner surface buffed to a fine, soft nap. Calfskin gives the best version of it. The hide comes from younger animals, so the fibres are tighter and finer than cowhide. That means a denser, more even nap, a softer hand, and a lighter jacket that still feels substantial.
It also moves differently. Calfskin suede drapes rather than stands stiff, breathes better than smooth leather, and shapes itself to the wearer over time. A heavyweight cut adds body, so the jacket holds its line at the shoulders and hem instead of collapsing.
In practice that means three things:
1. Comfort from day one. No long, stiff break-in period.
2. Character over time. The nap softens and burnishes at the elbows, cuffs and pocket edges, building a lived-in depth of colour.
3. Range. Rich enough for tailoring, relaxed enough for denim and knitwear.
Caring for calfskin suedeA little care keeps suede looking its best for decades. ● Let it dry naturally at room temperature if it gets caught in the rain, then brush. ● Hang it on a broad wooden hanger to support the shoulders. ● Leave deep cleaning to a specialist leather cleaner. |
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Frequently asked questions:
● Is the Drake's suede A-2 bomber worth the investment?
Yes, if you want one jacket to wear for years. Italian-made calfskin suede, heavyweight construction and a timeless military pattern mean it gets better with age rather than dating.
● What is the difference between an A-2 and a MA-1 bomber?
The A-2 is a leather jacket from 1931 with a shirt-style collar and snap-flap pockets. The MA-1 is a 1950s nylon jet-era jacket with a ribbed collar.
● Can you wear a suede jacket in the rain?
Light showers are fine once it has been treated with a suede protector. Let it dry naturally and brush the nap back up afterwards.
Where can I buy Drake's in Toronto? Uncle Otis, at 329 Spadina Avenue, has been stocking independent menswear since 1991. The Drake's A-2 is available in store and online.
At Uncle Otis we curate ruthlessly, and this is the kind of piece we stand behind: built for the long view, and designed to look better in ten years than it does today. Explore the Drake's collection in store on Spadina or online.
Buy once, well.
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