Belgian Army Vintage IKE Jacket

Belgian Issue Ike Jacket

This is a Belgian Armed Forces service jacket from the 1960s and 1970s, cut in the waist-length Eisenhower or "Ike" pattern that ends at the belt line instead of the hip. The short cut keeps the jacket clear of a belt or holster and makes it easy to move in. Collectors, reenactors and anyone after a structured wool jacket with real military history will find it a good fit.

Features

• Genuine Belgian Army Issue — Made for and issued to the Belgian Armed Forces, so you get period kit with real provenance.
• Wool Blend Shell — A wool-based cloth with a synthetic content that adds durability and holds the jacket's shape.
• Cropped Ike Cut — The waist-length body finishes at the belt line, the signature trait of an Eisenhower-style jacket.
• Belted Waistband — An integral cloth belt across the waistband cinches the hem for a closer fit.
• Concealed Button Front — The front buttons sit under a covering placket, which keeps the front clean and blocks wind.
• Pleated Chest Pockets — Two flapped breast pockets with a center pleat give extra room for a notebook or wallet.
• Epaulets With Metal Buttons — Shoulder straps fasten with gold-tone metal buttons and can hold rank slides.
• Notched Lapel Collar — An open collar with lapels, worn over a shirt and tie in service dress.
• Buttoned Cuffs — The sleeve cuffs fasten with buttons so you can snug them at the wrist.
• Lined Interior — A full lining makes the wool comfortable against a shirt and helps the jacket slide on.

Issue And Specification

Belgium adopted the Ike pattern after the Second World War, and this jacket belongs to its 1960s and 1970s service dress. It comes in olive drab (OD) green, the muted green-brown worn by many NATO armies of the period. The fittings are as issued: the integral belt, metal epaulet buttons and the concealed front closure. Because it was made to a government specification, the tailoring and cloth hold up better than most fashion versions of the cut.