Published on May 16, 2024.
Duty calls
Available from 21st May at 10 am (CET)
Like every Asphalte preorder from now on, The Army Jacket’s available for 6 days only. If you think you might miss it, sign up here to get notified when it kicks off. We'll even hook you up with early access, an hour before the official release so you’re first in line for delivery.
Friday, December 20th, 1957. A chilly, bleak winter’s day in Memphis, Tennessee.
A few days short of Christmas, the postman rings the doorbell of the grand mansion at 3764 Highway 51 South, letter in hand.
3764 as in the street number, or is it the square footage of this particular mansion?
The homeowner, a 22-year-old lad, swings open the door to fetch the letter. Inside lay a call to duty for military service. The recipient? None other than Elvis Aron Presley.
The Indianapolis Star, December 21, 1957, front page
At the time he received his draft notice, the King was already 3-4 years into a career like no other.
A movie star, a rock'n'roll icon, and the ultimate sex symbol, Elvis was electrifying America when he got the news that he was to join the 3rd Armoured Division in West Germany. Ouch.
Bye-bye Jelly Roll and cowboy shirts, hello buzz cut and M-51 jacket.
The Legendary M-51 Field Jacket
The very jacket gracing Private Presley's shoulders is what we're here to talk about today, as it’s the muse behind our Army Jacket.
In army lingo, this is an "M-1951 field jacket," the go-to combat gear from 1951 to 1965.
What We Borrowed from the M-51
True to its lineage, we've retained certain features of this iconic jacket, the offspring of the M-43 and the forebearer of the equally famous M-65.
The Asphalte Twist
Unlike Elvis, you probably won't be shipped off to the other side of the world anytime soon sporting your Army Jacket. So we've taken the liberty of dialling down the military stripes and presenting you with a more civilian take on this timeless classic.
The result? Voilà:
A Splash of Colourful Homage
The aim was inspiration, not imitation. With our Army Jacket, we aimed to pay homage rather than copy, as that's what Asphalte is all about.
By giving vintage classics a modern twist, we deliver pieces of history that have stood the test of time due to their unique attributes (durability, design, utility, functionality, etc.), while giving them a contemporary makeover.
When we delve into military attire, we do it thoughtfully. We understand you're not hitting the frontlines in our Army Jacket, so we've stripped it of the warrior traits of the M-51 to make it a more suitable companion for your everyday adventures.
The same goes for colour. Since it's a piece of militaria, of course classic olive is a must.
But we didn't stop there. We've also crafted it in a sleek navy.
And even in a sophisticated camel hue.
There's something for everyone.
6 days to preorder
The best part? Ours comes at just 179€, a far cry from the King's original that sometimes fetches tens of thousands at auction.
Elvis Presley en M-51 lors de son service militaire à Friedberg, 1958.
But here's the catch: our Army Jacket will only be up for grabs for 6 days that’s from Tuesday at 10 am to Sunday at midnight.
To make sure you snag yours and get it by the end of July, drop your email below, and we'll shoot you a reminder on launch day. If you miss out, you might stumble upon it at a Stock Sale but expect to fork out 229 € with colours and sizes in limited supply.
And if it doesn't work out when yours arrives, returns and exchanges are easy. The return costs are on us.
Need to know anything else? Ask away via the comments below, or alternatively, you can check our international Instagram page for more info.
Asphalte
Available from 21st May at 10 am (CET)
Like every Asphalte preorder from now on, The Army Jacket’s available for 6 days only. If you think you might miss it, sign up here to get notified when it kicks off. We'll even hook you up with early access, an hour before the official release so you’re first in line for delivery.