Chances are, you currently own, or have owned, that piece of clothing that makes you feel like a fucking rock star.
You may have actively bought it, or perhaps you came across it in a vintage store. Maybe it was from your dad’s wardrobe from 30 years back. I’m talking about the type of piece you’ll never let go of, and the type you’ll bust out when you want to make a statement for yourself.
The thing with personal style, however, is that we can’t always pick and choose which aesthetic suits us. We have internal and external features that simply pair well with certain styles, garments and accessories. Those that discover and accept this can begin to curate the wardrobe that unlocks their inner confidence, charisma, and rockstar vibe.
Look up to the “nonconformers”
What I mean by the “nonconformers” is those with phenomenal personal style. They don’t even care about what’s trending, or what others say they should wear. They simply understand what to combine each day to turn their clothing not just into an outfit, but an extension of their inner self.
These individuals don’t aim to fall into any particular bracket; they don’t care about looking “appropriate” or “smart casual” or “chill” or “preppy” or “elegant” or whatever. They have no category, no box to tick, and no rules to care about. Their wardrobe is curated as an extension of their personality; to help them feel like their true self, no matter the occasion.
Time, patience, and understanding
Understanding yourself and developing personal style takes time. But as I begin to feel like I understand my personal style, at a time where I design clothes in my spare time, I asked myself the question: can one truly design for charisma and confidence — or do these values unlock when the right person finds the right piece?
My Hypothesis: The Bomber Jacket
In my quest to design a piece that enhanced the wearer’s charisma, I couldn’t see past the bomber jacket. With origins in the cockpit of warplanes, this style has seen significant evolution.
From the original leather variants of the first world war, to the warmer nylon ones produced after 1949, and eventually high-fashion renditions in the modern day, the bomber jacket adds an air of rebellious confidence to any wearer’s ensemble.
For me, it’s the inherently utilitarian features that doubled as flattering design choices. The intentional crop, padding for volume, pocket detailing, and drab colour palettes existed for a reason — and remained for (different) reasons. In the end, it gives the wearer a flattering and distinct silhouette that has stood the test of time.
Hypothesis Confirmed: The FSJ-131 Military Bomber Jacket
Designing the FSJ-131 was very much a project about creating a jacket that paid homage and respect to militaria of times past, whilst incorporating our own flavour and detailing. But honestly? It turned out to be both a solid iteration of heritage militaria, while also being a piece that can turn any wearer into the freshest person in the room.
We took features present on models such as the A-2 and CWU-45P and remixed them into the FSJ-131:
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A timeless Military Olive Drab & Chestnut colourway
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Matte nylon for the body, contrasting with the cotton twill collar, and elasticated hem and wrist cuffs for added depth and texture
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The front pockets, designed thoughtfully and divided into two compartments: front for your goods, the back for your hands to sit comfortably out of the cold.
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YKK zipper hardware
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Signature A.B. neck tag, and a specially designed, surplus inspired tag that is there to fray and age with time
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Kept the classic cut — relaxed in the chest, cropped and cinched at the hem, and slightly roomier sleeves for the modern wearer
Want to increase your charisma by 99.9%?
Maybe you need to consider grabbing an FSJ-131.
This isn’t just any bomber jacket — it’s an ATELIER 131 jacket, designed for aura, charisma, and confidence.
I’ll just say, I handed one to my uncle for him to try. And you know what he said?
“I feel like Tom Cruise!”
