Jimi Hendrix was once a member of the United States Army but he famously wore these British Military jackets during the height of his career..
Hendrix purchased the jackets at this thrift store named “I Was Lord Kitchener’s Valet” located at 293 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London. Tons of other 60’s rock stars shopped here including Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton to name a few…
Here’s a photo of The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger in his “I Was Lord Kitchener’s Valet” jacket…
This is the most famous of Hendrix’ Military coats is the Royal Hussar Jacket.
It’s origins date back to the 1700’s when General Lasalle otherwise known as “The Hussar General” wore this type of tunic as depicted in the painting below. Inspired by the Hungarian fashion of the day, it is adorned with heavy horizontal tasseled gold rope (pelisse) across the chest and Austrian knots on the sleeves to show rank.
The next jacket is much more simple and was worn specifically by the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC). of the British Army. It was considered their “dress” jacket.
A group of policemen once ordered Hendrix to remove the Royal Veterinary Corps dress jacket, saying it was an offense to the men who had worn it. This isn’t the exact jacket that Hendrix wore below but this is a member of the RAVC.
On a side note: Adam Ant also wore a Royal Hussar almost identical to the one Hendrix wore…
