Going green in more ways than one, Seattle’s Black Bear Brand just put out a truly unique, military-style shirt jacket crafted from repurposed WWII-era shelters-halves—poncho-esque garments that served as concealment for snipers and protection for soldiers from rain.
The ‘Specialist’ jacket is remarkable for many reasons, but the upcycled shelter-halve material (60/40 Cotton and Nylon) is the standout feature, available in several different lots, each with their own distinct color/shell variations, U.S. military branding, as well as a collector’s wooden box. The five available lots cover a limited-but-satisfying spread of military fabrics including M1941 green herringbone twill, OD9 cotton sateen, cotton twill, OD cotton, and olive-drab OD7.
The garment is marked throughout with choice detailing—from the straight shirt-like fit to the brass snaps signifying Black Bear’s Union of Makers—but this repurposing of classic, iconic material is what’s worth writing home about. These shirts are as versatile as any military shirt-jacket, but are far more unique.
Available for $735 at Black Bear Union.
