Collector’s item: for style anoraks, a silk bomber is the smartest souvenir
If you're in the market for an item to buy now and wear forever, this season has thrown up the most impossibly perfect - and appropriately titled - solution: the souvenir jacket.
And just so that we’re clear, I don’t mean one purchased from Piccadilly’s Cool Britannia with “Keep Calm and Carry On” written on the back.
Also known as sukajans, the silk blouson style first became popular after the Second World War when US soldiers wore the brightly decorated designs to commemorate their service in Japan. Now you’re more likely to spot one on the likes of Kate Moss, Kanye West or Keith Richards.
And their appeal isn’t just limited to celebrities whose name begins with a K (although we reckon Kimmy K borrows Kanye’s all the time, probably).
Reminiscent of the classic baseball jacket, styles traditionally combine Western and Eastern influences including dragons, tigers and American eagle motifs.
Among the most authentic on the market are Louis Vuitton’s, which come richly embroidered with red-crowned cranes, cherry blossoms and lotus flowers.
Zayn Malik and Brooklyn Beckham are both fans of Kim Jones’s Vuitton variations, as is Kate Moss, who borrowed a pale pink and duck-egg blue satin version from the boys and teamed it with a green palm-print jumpsuit and Bowie-esque boots.
Valentino has also picked up its fair share of souvenirs for spring with mythical creatures and camo-prints in abundance, while Saint Laurent’s palm tree and bamboo-embroidered versions have clocked up fans including Justin Bieber and Harry Styles.
Of course it’s little wonder that planet celebrity is well and truly sold on the souvenir bomber. It is, after all, the ultimate showpiece and therefore a no-brainer choice for any showman. As for us mere mortals, the jackets also work wonders as a conversation-starter at cocktail hour, thanks not only to their ability to turn heads but because they are lightweight enough to be worn throughout the evening.
Another bonus is that most styles are reversible, for those times when you don’t feel like being centre of attention.
If you find yourself without the two grand spare to buy off the catwalk, there are plenty of options to be found on the high street. Most notably at Zara and ASOS, the latter of which currently has a blue and white quilted bomber emblazoned with tiger heads - which can also be seen on Lucky Blue Smith’s Instagram feed.
Of course, if you’re lucky enough to stumble across the real deal in Beyond Retro, don’t hesitate to snap it up - this is one souvenir you’ll keep for ever.
ArticleFor style anoraks, a silk bomber is the smartest souvenirKate MossKanye WestLouis Vuittonzayn malikJustin BieberBrooklyn BeckhamKim KardashianSaint Laurentharry styles...but invest wisely, says Emma McCarthy