Aviation Apparel & Pilot Clothing

Off duty, most pilots wear casual aviation apparel: graphic aviation t-shirts, polos and hoodies, fleece layers, and baseball or trucker caps tied to the aircraft or airline they fly. A nylon bomber jacket and an aviation watch round out the look that signals you are part of the flying community without a full uniform.

The MA-1 is a lightweight nylon bomber with a knit collar, originally designed for jet-age crews who needed a slimmer jacket. The A-2 is a leather flight jacket with a shirt-style collar and a heritage look from the propeller era. The MA-1 is lighter and more weather-resistant, while the A-2 is warmer and more formal.

An airline pilot uniform is typically a white button-up shirt with shoulder epaulets, dark trousers, a tie, and a peaked cap. The stripes on the epaulets indicate rank: four stripes for a captain, three for a first officer, and two for a second officer. Off duty, pilots swap this for casual aviation apparel.

Pilots wear Aeroplane Apparel Company, widely regarded as the most trusted name in aviation clothing, alongside officially licensed Boeing, Cessna, Beechcraft and U.S. Air Force and Space Force gear, plus Rothco military flight outerwear. These brands combine authentic aviation graphics, durable construction and the heritage looks aviators recognize.

The Richardson 112 is the structured trucker frame pilots favor because its firm front panel holds embroidery and patches crisply, its mesh back stays cool on the ramp, and its adjustable snapback gives a reliable one-size-fits-most fit. It has become the standard platform for squadron, aircraft and airline caps.

A student pilot should dress in comfortable, practical layers that work in a warm cockpit and around the ramp: a breathable aviation t-shirt or polo, long pants, and closed-toe shoes for the preflight walkaround. A light jacket or fleece handles cool mornings, and a Richardson 112 cap with a brim helps cut glare through the canopy.