Wearing example.
(1) Pairing denim with sweatshirts.
[ Article on Levi’s 501XX 1954 ]
The denim is Levi’s 501XX, the inner layer is Champion’s Reverse Weave, and I’ve paired it with White’s semi-dress shoes. The combination of an A-2 deck jacket and sweatshirt is a classic American casual look, so it’s a style worn by many, not just myself.
The Reverse Weave’s generous body width and armholes create a slight resistance when moving, but I wear it without minding. As fastening the front tends to create a puffed silhouette, I often wear it with the front left largely open.
I’m pairing Levi’s 501XX 54s bottoms with a Champion Reverse Weave as an inner layer. The Reverse Weave’s relaxed silhouette makes the arm and shoulder areas feel slightly constricted, though the overall styling isn’t overly compromised.
Compared to the compact silhouette seen from the front, the back view appears slightly more relaxed.
This is the current Champion Reverse Weave worn as an inner layer. Compared to when I used to wear it regularly (in the early 1990s), it’s wider across the chest and shorter in length. Having worn it for the first time in about 30 years, it still feels comfortable and pairs exceptionally well with denim. It’s a versatile item that’s well worth having.
(2) Changing the inner layer to a thermal T-shirt.
The combination with the sweatshirt creates a voluminous top, so I’m changing the style by wearing a tight thermal T-shirt underneath.
The thermal T-shirt is a reproduction of the honeycomb-weave underwear adopted by the US Army, developed by Real McCoy’s. It features a very sturdy construction and fabric feel, offers high thermal insulation, and lacks an underwear-like appearance, so it looks stylish even when worn on its own.
A common weakness of thermal T-shirts is that repeated washing can cause them to stretch and lose their shape. However, Real McCoy’s reissued items are modified to be authentic yet suitable for modern wear, and the thermal T-shirt incorporates design features to resist losing its shape.
While it resists losing its shape, the honeycomb-structured T-shirt is prone to stretching, so it’s recommended to lay it flat to dry after washing.
They pair exceptionally well with authentic military items, creating a balanced overall look. However, as they can lend a slight military cosplay feel, balancing them with denim or chinos on the bottom creates a more cohesive ensemble.
I layer a military-issue thermal T-shirt underneath, which is tighter than the reverse weave. This one doesn’t feel as constricting around the arms and shoulders as the reverse weave did.
Even with the front fastened, the fitted thermal T-shirt prevents any bulky appearance.
The overall silhouette when wearing a thermal T-shirt is slimmer than that of a reverse weave.
It’s difficult to convey in photos, but this thick thermal T-shirt is remarkably warm. As a Real McCoy’s reproduction, it boasts a robust construction faithful to authentic US military specifications.
(3) changing the bottom.
I’ll swap the bottoms for Visvim’s slim-fit denim, which is narrower than 501s. This creates a more contemporary silhouette than the 501s. While pairing with 501s achieves an Americana look, the slim silhouette lends a more fashion-forward streetwear vibe.
Although I didn’t do it this time, tucking the hem of a thermal T-shirt over the denim belt to show the denim detail and the belt itself creates the illusion of more surface area on the bottom, resulting in a longer, sleeker leg line.
Finally, I’ve paired faded 90s 501s with a Reverse Weave. While I personally prefer slightly darker denim, the combination with faded, slightly loose-fitting 90s 501s is a timeless and easy pairing.
The overall silhouette has been made slimmer, achieving a contemporary combination.
The top volume remains unchanged from 501, yet the visual effect created by the slim-fit bottom achieves a slimmer silhouette.
Pairing them with faded 501s from the 90s creates a more Americana-inspired look.
Detail
- A-2 Deck Jacket
- 1978
- Fabric: Cotton-polyester blend
- Lining: Acrylic fleece
- Brass zip
- 3 pockets
- Ribbed cuffs
- Stencil on back
- Size: Medium
Combination
- Denim: Levi’s 501XX, 1954
- Denim: Visvim
- Denim: Levi’s 501, 1990s
- Sweatshirt: Champion Reverse Weave
- Thermal T-shirt: Real McCoy’s
- Boots: White’s Semi-Dress
- Knitted cap: Patagonia
In conclusion
I introduced the A-2 deck jacket, chosen as a military item that can be worn casually in the depths of winter.
My impression is that it’s a khaki-coloured work garment with cold-weather functionality. The defining characteristic of the A-2 Deck Jacket is its lack of the functional aesthetic details found on field jackets. Consequently, it doesn’t have the overt military appearance of something like the M65. However, as it’s designed primarily for warmth, it’s an item frequently worn as an outer layer when feeling the chill or during the depths of winter.
Whereas field jackets like the M65 rely on layering to manage temperature changes (the concept of wearing multiple items to regulate warmth), the A-2 Deck Jacket, designed for deck work at sea as a cold-weather outer layer, tends to look bulky when worn over thick inner layers.
A key styling tip for the A-2 Deck Jacket is to choose thin yet warm inner layers. Ideally, wear it unbuttoned at the front to avoid bulkiness and maintain a clean silhouette.
Recently, loose fits have become the trend, making it difficult to find regular or slim-fit inner layers. However, for the A2 deck jacket, choosing a regular or slim-fit inner layer creates a cleaner overall silhouette.
For younger individuals, opting for the oversized A-2 Deck Jacket – itself a trend – and pairing it with loose-fit innerwear and bottoms can still create a clean silhouette. However, for those of a certain age, an oversized silhouette can appear sloppy. Therefore, we recommend wearing it in a size that fits well.
As the A-2 deck jacket features an acrylic fleece lining, choosing inner layers like wool, cashmere, or brushed polyester can generate significant static electricity. I mitigate this by wearing cotton thermal T-shirts or sweatshirts underneath the A-2 deck jacket.
Considering the A-2 deck jacket’s primary purpose for US military adoption – cold weather protection – it’s a rugged, easy-to-enjoy outer layer. As long as you avoid excessive bulk and restricted movement, it becomes an excellent jacket that lets you enjoy it without overthinking the finer details.
Shop
The A-2 Deck Jacket introduced this time are purchased at Post78.
Post78 is a shop that handles many high-quality, long-lasting items that the owner, who loves clothes, is particular about, and I often shop here. I also enjoy discussing fashion with the owner, who loves clothes, when I shop there.
“Post78” Global shipping is not supported. Come to the shop when you come to Japan.