Flying in Aviator Jackets

My aviator from Japanese brand Uniqlo

Amelia Earhart, the original aviator

Burberry's cosy models

It's finally September and a change of season is upon us. It is time to go back to school and time to choose and buy new pieces for winter . Sheepskin, leather and big collars, the aviator jacket is the investment for this coming season. Cosy and comfortable, yet stylish, the aviator is the one winter trend from the catwalks which is already selling abundantly in stores. Burberry's collection, Burberry cadet girls, is the most responsible for developing the trend when it closed London fashion week in February. Then, the mania began and the world is now obsessed with the aviator jacket. Why did it become so desirable so quickly? Well, it is practical enough to cope with freezing temperatures but stylish enough to wear with pretty dresses, slim trousers and Chelsea boots. We can now equate style with the reality of winter weather.

Historically, the aviator was used to keep World War 1 pilots warm in their open cockpits whilst the US Army established the Aviation clothing board in 1917 for pilots. Their flight jackets with high wraparound collars, numerous zips and tight cuffs provide the trademarks for today's aviator. Shearling and fur were also introduced into the design when pilots began flying at higher altitudes and therefore, needed cosier jackets. Perhaps, the most iconic female to wear the aviator was Amelia Earhart, when she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932. So, the aviator symbolizes power, a mixture of femininity and masculinity which makes it so appealing.

Unfortunately, I can't afford a Burberry aviator but I bought my faux version from Uniqlo last week, in preparation for Seoul's harsh winter. Hopefully, it will be as warm as the real version. Fingers crossed.