Most brands that do some sort of variation on the myriad of quilted military liner jackets out there don’t stray too far from the original, but this is Eastlogue and all they do is stray far from the original, so you know this is going to be a fun piece. For some inside-out starters, Eastlogue has taken the design of the US-issued M69 Flak Vest from the Vietnam War, notably worn by Mathew Modine in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, and crafted it from the insulated, nylon, onion-quilted liner that would have been worn inside it, should the soldiers find themselves in a chill. The front has a two-way zip closure, concealed by a flapped front placket, dual chest pockets, and stand collar, as you would have seen on an original M69, but things go awry from there. Sleeves sporting elbow patches are added, as are thumb holes and a slight amount of elastication at the cuffs. The same reinforcement at the elbow is found at the shoulder, and the collar features a snap-out hood, should your head need hooding.

Another detail carried over from the original is the inclusion of a drawstring adjustment lacing system at each side, which nudges the jacket a bit too close to a renaissance fair costume for my liking, but when you put this near weightless piece on (as I’ve been able to give it a whirl), the technical nature of it all points your thoughts more towards the future than anything in the past.

Available for $399 at Unionmade.