In the hierarchy of mid-century flight jackets, the MA-1 might be considered entry-level followed by the L-2 and then the L-2b. And though the stakes are already high considering original examples of any of these pieces are tough to come by, most notably the L-2b of course, there is yet an upper echelon  — no, altitude — that blows the wings off everything mentioned so far. Experimental aviation gear.

The cream of that crop would have to be astronaut-related flight jackets. And though I’ve seen light blue and orange flight jackets made for small teams and missions, I never knew a yellow one existed for Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight of the United States, running from 1958 through 1963. Pulled out of the archives by Buzz Rickson’s in exacting fashion, their repro of this scarcer-than-scarce jacket gives you everything but the credentials. Cotton shell with rayon backing. Knit wool trim. Flapped front pockets and zippered sleeve pockets. This is one obscure jacket for man, one iconic jacket for man-kind.

Available for $495 from Hinoya.