Shear Genius

A while back I seen this gorgeous advertising campaign for shearling aviator jackets by Burberry Prorsum, the models wrapped up in soft leather and fluffy fleece gazing back at me. I knew that this was going to be an important look for Autumn/ Winter, and before I could even hum Highway to the Danger Zone*, versions of Christopher Bailey's designs were popping up everywhere for boys and girls. The difference between the eighties aviator jacket previously favoured by Maverick and his buddies and the styles hitting our stores now is that instead of the fleece only being in the lining, it has been brought to the forefront to display a contrast in texture to the dark leather.

Inspired by uniforms and cadets, Christopher Bailey's collection is the creme de la creme of aviator jackets, but if the £2195 price tag isn't for you fear not - there are several alternatives that can work for any price range.

While out and about this week I seen many brands offering their take on the shearling aviator. Topshop are asking only £58 for this little beauty:


Topshop have a decent selection, with prices ranging up to about £325 for a jacket, with gilets and accessories echoing the aviator look also available. ASOS are offering choices in a couple of colourways at £110 and £120 and also have a hotly-anticipated £350 jacket that is becoming available from October. Elsewhere on the high street, Oasis' take on the aviator will set you back £150, and Warehouse have a pretty nice version going for £300. Marks and Spencer have a really nice take on the aviator in brown with a huge creamy fleece collar for a not-too-shabby-at-all £85!

Got a little more cash to play with? Zadig et Voltaire, Giles, Bebe, Just Cavalli, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Paul & Joe all have nods to the aviator look, and Julien MacDonald has this jacket as part of his Winter 2010 collection.

Pour le males, Acne's aviator (£1400) is proving to be very popular already, and with offerings from D&G, Marc Jacobs, and Armani Jeans to name a few, there are plenty to choose from.

I'm a fan of this look because it works for both sexes and depending on how you wear it, the aviator jacket can be very masculine or feminine. When it starts getting a bit chilly again, it looks like the ideal wardrobe staple to stay cosy in. I don't think I will be investing in one of these jackets myself just yet (it's just not my bag, baby), but I can see that it is going to be one of the key pieces seeing us through the coming season.

* - have no idea what I'm talking about? Watch Top Gun.