More Than A Number

In 1943, the Type B-15 flight jacket replaced the popular A-2 that was worn by U.S. Army Air Forces since 1931. The B-15 bomber jackets replaced the A-2 leather bomber jackets because they were designed to be warmer and more adaptable to various equipment changes. However, even after the cancelation of the A-2, airmen were still able to order replacements up until 1944. The B-15 eventually caught on and was used and issued throughout the 1950s and ’60s.

Today, replicas of the B-15 include cloth and leather variations that are as practical to wear as they are attractive. American Mystique offers several different B-15 bomber jackets, including the satin-nylon B-15 bomber jacket. This olive green jacket features a dark brown synthetic fur collar and comes with polyester fiberfill insulation. It has two snap-close side entry pockets on the front, leather oxygen mask tabs on the chest, and knit cuffs and waistband. In addition, an Army Air Force Wing and Star patch is embroidered on the left sleeve.

If love were indeed blind, fine lingerie wouldn’t be nearly so popular. Like other types of fashion, lingerie—whether bridal lingerie or just everyday lingerie—suggests something special about the person whom it adorns. And like other attire, lingerie is subject to changes in fashion consciousness. What steamed up the lingerie world last season may have fizzled and cooled this season. With an eye for the vogue, we present the top five lingerie trends for 2009:

• Bright colors. Black lingerie is timeless, but statement lingerie in splashy blues and pinks is expected to make a big impression this year. The hues range from deep peacock blues to pastel pinks in classic styles that let the color do the talking.
• Animal prints. A perennial favorite, animal prints ranging from leopard to zebra have been showing up both in lingerie and on sexy swim suits. These bold prints require a confident wearer but pay tremendous dividends when they catch an admirer’s eye.
• Florals. Borrowed from the runway, this trend is renowned for its ability to make the wearer feel both delicate and sensual at the same time. Florals are often paired with other of-the-moment details such as ruffles and bows.
• Convertible bras. What good is a bra that can be worn only one way? Whether or not the recession has made lingerie designers savvier about combining form and function, one thing’s clear: a bra that can accommodate all of your most striking outfits is a valuable bra indeed.
• Corsetry. Need we say more? A corset is the paramount of mystery. It portends flirtation, seduction, and a dramatic revelation. Whether you select a trendy metallic style or one that calls to mind fine European lingerie, your vamp quotient is guaranteed to shoot through the roof.