In defence of Alpha Industries.

Rutger said:

I was once held at airport security because they had seen these two ink caps ("bullets") in the arm pocket on the metal detector gate. They wanted me to take them out of the pocket but they sat so tight that I couldn't get them out whatever I tried.
After ten minutes they gave up insisting on me getting them out because the queue was getting longer quite rapidly.

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lol that’s pretty funny.

I just took them out as I found them pretty annoying.

My view on Alpha flight jackets has and will always be, the older the better if you can find one. After the mid 1980's or so, they cheaped out on the MA-1 and L-2B jackets with the three stripes on the label denoting the "civilian" versions. Personally, if I needed another one to add to the collection, watching eBay and other venues are the best places to find them. I personally don't care at all for the new stuff. Back in the 1990's Alpha did put out a pretty good series of reproductions that were fairly close to the originals.

I looked at MA-1s for a while and then decided that there were way too many punk/skinheads wearing them and opted to go the CWU 45 route.
I have two. I’ll check the brands tomorrow. Similar in construction and materials, but with a collar.
I’m 6’-4” and they are short for sure, but nice for chilly days.
I’m looking to get an L-2B which is again in the same type. Only thing I don’t like about the L-2B is epaulettes.
Like I need ANY new jacket

CWU36P？

ButteMT61 said:

I looked at MA-1s for a while and then decided that there were way too many punk/skinheads wearing them

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Same reason why I can't really deal with the MA-1. I'm pretty punk rock and don't mind that at all, but anything that looks fully skinhead for me is strictly a no go, people would only see more of a 'Tim Roth' Made in Britain or Andrew Knight type character as seen in this short film, wearing an original MA-1. I'll just have to stick to the N-2B until I find a way to make the MA-1 work without appearing too much of a lout.

Anyway if you haven't seen this, I highly recommend.

Dumpster D said:

I'll just have to stick to the N-2B until I find a way to make the MA-1 work without appearing too much of a lout.

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Although I’m not sure it’s actually needed (very short hair, short jeans and DM boots are probably more of a giveaway) the best way to ‘reclaim’ the MA-1 is to just wear it. The more they are seen around being worn by those who don’t belong to any particular group then they won’t be so associated with that group.

At one time it might have been said that the cross zip leather motorcycle jacket was the jacket of choice for biker gangs but now they are very much a widely worn fashion item.
I even saw one being worn by a prospective buyer in the rather genteel and sedate TV program ‘Escape To The Country’ on the BBC this week.

I find I wear MA-1’s less these days but with a ‘Bronson tache’ and Baker Boy cap the skinhead (I sport a number 1 crop due to hair loss) look is diffused. More often like Butte the CWU 45 comes out with the collar and deep velcro tab pockets.I even wear the CWU jackets to work sometimes. I’ve got two USA made CWU Alpha nylon jackets and one late ‘70’s bi-swing back NOMEX original. If I’m on a vintage vibe the Alpha B-15 makes an appearance with the fake fur collar to tone down the look.

My opinion on ma1 jacket the vintage ones our the best the shape and drape I don’t think reproduction can really compare,but for reproduction I think buzz ricksons second hand market in Japan is best value,buzz rickson 50s version is one of the best even compared to rmc or toys McCoy

Dumpster D said:

Same reason why I can't really deal with the MA-1. I'm pretty punk rock and don't mind that at all, but anything that looks fully skinhead for me is strictly a no go, people would only see more of a 'Tim Roth' Made in Britain or Andrew Knight type character as seen in this short film, wearing an original MA-1. I'll just have to stick to the N-2B until I find a way to make the MA-1 work without appearing too much of a lout.

Anyway if you haven't seen this, I highly recommend.

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The Selector, are a personal favorite. I'll just drop this here:

N-2B’s are another great jacket & not often seen, got a nice Civvy Alpha, 70’s fur ruff original and an N-2A…another diffused vibe.