At the start of World War II, the US Navy, far from its current power, was barely recovering from the recession of the 1930s. For reasons of economy, many sailors still wore World War I uniforms: the pea coat for officers, denim overalls and khaki chinos, standard on board US Navy ships.
But the war required a uniform adapted to the rigors of the Atlantic Ocean. Thus was born the N1 jacket, responding to this pressing need.
Designed for the harshest weather conditions, this jacket was used from Dutch Harbor to the beaches of Normandy. By protecting sailors from the freezing cold and biting winds, it became an indispensable ally for American sailors during those difficult times.
US NAVY DECK JACKET N1: DESIGN AND EVOLUTION The N1 deck jacket was developed towards the end of 1943, drawing on lessons learned from the early years of the war. It consisted of an outer shell of cotton jersey in a pale olive or khaki shade, lined with alpaca.
An earlier version in navy blue, highly prized by collectors, also existed, but it was later replaced for reasons of standardization and production cost.
The N1 jacket featured an adjustable drawstring waist, windproof cuffs, and a high alpaca-lined collar, which became the emblem of this garment. This collar is still used today by many brands in more modern versions.
A genuine N1 jacket is distinguished by an embroidered "USN" on the left chest, as well as the ship's designation and serial number on the back. It is rare to find a jacket today that still bears this inscription.
