Much of menswear owes its allegiance to military history. From shirting to outerwear, most of our most commonly worn gear comes straight out of your local military base. For those who dig a little deeper, you’ll discover a rich clothing history that’s not only rooted in functionality, but style and design.

The bomber jacket—or MA-1 if we’re being technical—has a longstanding history that stretches from the middle of the 20th Century into today. Starting as a jacket that was best suited for chilly, cramped cockpits, the jacket has become  into an outerwear staple that’s seen high fashion reinterpretations for the modern man. Here’s how it evolved from standard issue outerwear to the wardrobe staple in your closet.