In life, you sometimes need a bigger change, so I decided to look for a new transitional jacket. Not that I was unhappy with my Artaxes from Pentagon, quite the opposite. Sometimes, however, it's nice to have something that doesn't scream tactical clothing at first glance.
How, though, do you keep your favorite style and not completely blend into the crowd? This certainly wasn't just my dilemma, many of us face something similar. Being practical, feeling comfortable, but at the same time going your own way and not following the dictates of others. The choice therefore fell on the German brand Brandit and its lightweight transitional jacket type - Britannia.
About Brandit
The German brand Brandit - Individual wearor simply just Brandit, is nothing unknown in the world of stylish clothing. Especially in recent years, Brandit has built an excellent reputation with a balanced ratio of price and quality. It focuses mainly on the army style, hiking enthusiasts, motorcyclists and fans of adrenaline experiences.
Brandit is the brainchild of Lars Engels and Marc Freudling. The two friends and founders drew on their experiences traveling around the world in this brand. They regularly encountered military clothing from various armies being worn by ordinary people. Military designs and materials have their undeniable advantages, after all. The main focus for them is quality stitching, reliable materials , and an emphasis on durability. For a lot of people, it's a lifestyle and a way of self-expression.
M65
Britannia is, in terms of design, truly an interesting piece. It belongs to a long line of military jackets, but nevertheless stands out more than others. To trace the roots of its design, we have to look almost 60 years back. Its foundation is the American military jacket from the Vietnam era - the M65 model. The number 65 refers to the year it was introduced into the American army's equipment.
The M65 is full of contrasts. It's a military model, but it also became a certain symbol of resistance for the peace movement protesting against the war in Vietnam. It was a symbol and mark of veterans, and at the same time it was worn by various guerrilla groups supported by the Soviet bloc in Latin American countries.
Britannia - the English empire, German style
Let's start by talking about the materials. Britannia is, for the vast majority, made from 100% cotton. The only exception is the shoulder lining and the hood. Both are made of 100% polyester.
Thanks to the predominance of cotton, Britannia is more pleasant to wear and quiet, which will be appreciated especially by nature lovers when observing animals.
On the other hand, waterproof materials are absent. This isn't anything serious, though. Britannia isn't a jacket for heavy rain, but rather for nice spring and cooler summer days. Additional water repellency can be achieved by simply spraying on Nanotextil or similar impregnating compounds. The jacket will better resist dirt and also last longer looking like new.
A closer look
Britannia is relatively simply designed, but with a few clever features. The hood is not particularly prominent, so it does not press on the back of the neck. It is fully hidden by the higher collar with a fine zipper. Since it does not have a firmer reinforced part and is made of 100% polyester. It is more suitable for wearingin combination with a hat or a cap, so it will not fall into your face.
The shoulders are wider, with two shoulder straps with buttons. These are not just elements of vintage design. You can attach a cap, beret or scarf to them during a trip. Since I have broader shoulders, I generally welcome a more spacious back design, besides comfort, it also has a more practical side. On the back, in the shoulder blade area, the fabric is folded and both sides are joined in the middle by a stud. It is not visible from the outside. With a simple action, you give your shoulders more freedom. This is a great thing when shooting or riding a motorcycle.
The sleeves are somewhat longer than most people are used to. Again, this is an advantage reminiscent of motorcycle riding or shooting. The sleeves end with a triangular tip, which can be lifted and fastened with a stud. This way you can adjust the length as needed. The triangular tip has an advantage in heavy rain or when moving through tall grass, where it protects the wrist.
The jacket's fastening is combined. The main zipper does not run all the way to the end of the fabric. The last approximately 10 centimeters is an open "V", thanks to which it is comfortable to sit in the jacket even without unzipping it. The top of the zipper is hidden by a strip of fabric that can be fastened with studs, so if you don't want to bother with the zipper, there is another option. The studs are covered by fabric on the outside, so they are perfectly hidden. On the top and bottom there are classic buttons, which I would rate more as a decorative element.
The jacket has 4 pockets, all external. Each is about 15x15 cm in size and fastens with a massive button. They are placed two on the chest and two above the waist. Internal pockets are missing, which is a shame. At least one smaller pocket, somewhere on the chest, would be useful.
Among the small features you will find two permanent ventilation openings under the armpit and the waist can be tightened with a built-in internal drawstring.
One thing must be acknowledged about the M65 model. For its age, it truly has a timeless design and actually also a piece of world history. Britannia is not the only one, as it also has bigger siblings, in the form of a winter version or the heaviest weight M65 Giant, which can even be worn in 3 different ways thanks to a removable inner liner. The Britannia itself is simple, yet in some way strangely exceptional. Its design was created for masses of similarly looking soldiers fulfilling the orders of others. Nevertheless, thanks to it you stand out from the crowd and set your own direction.
