Discountscafe

"The Anatomy of a Volante Jacket: Function, Fit, and Fandom"


Blog Image

Volante Design began as a small, personal project the founder (David Volante) started by creating clothing for himself  
garments inspired by the worlds he loved: video games, comics, anime, film, fantasy, and anything that evoked a sense of myth, adventure, or heroic drama. 
Over time, a friend saw one of the custom pieces and asked how much it would cost to buy 
and that sparked a realization: other people, like him, wanted clothes that carried this same spirit.


What started as one off custom jackets soon blossomed into an enterprise as the first batch of retail jackets sold out in hours. 
That initial success helped define the path: move from bespoke jackets for friends, to limited run, high quality, ready for wear garments that carry design sensibilities 
rooted in pop culture, yet serve as functional outerwear. 
 

“Ordinary People Becoming Extraordinary”

At its heart, Volante Design is built around a simple but powerful idea: Ordinary people deserve to feel extraordinary. The brand positions itself as a bridge between everyday life and the worlds of heroes, villains, fantasy, and Its clothes are not costumes they are wearable, real world garments infused with the style, drama, and flair often reserved for fictional universes. 
 

Volante’s recurring mantra that their clothing lets humans become superhuman reflects this commitment. 
Their inspiration draws deeply from comic books, video games, film, anime, and all the places we find heroes and villains.
 

But the design goal is always balance blend those fantastical inspirations with function, wearability, and durability. 
Founder David has emphasized that the garments should look like they belong both in a heroic universe and in real life  striking a half step away from costume-wear, toward street ready fashion.


Thus, Volante Design occupies a unique nichepart streetwear, part gear for adventurers, part homage to fandom. 
Their audiences tend to be people 
who love pop culture (games, comics, sci-fi, etc.), enjoy expressive style, and appreciate clothes that carry meaning beyond simple fashion.

What Makes Volante Unique Craftsmanship, Ethics & Limited Editions

A few core traits set Volante apart from many conventional fashion brands

Custom & artisanal roots: In its early days, every piece was custom-made by David from the original sketch and pattern design, to cutting fabric, 
sewing, finishing. Orders were made to measure, & buyers provided detailed measurements so that each garment fit them, not a generic standard size.
 

Attention to materials and construction: Rather than chasing fast fashion, Volante emphasizes durable fabrics and quality hardware, aiming for longevity.
Their garments  denim, waxed canvas, heavy cottons, specialty materials  are meant to last years, not months.
Volante Design
 

Ethical production: Volante strives to produce their clothing under ethically certified conditions. Whether manufacturing in the U.S. or abroad, they assert commitment to 
fair labor practices and transparency in their supply chain. 
Volante Design

Limited editions and exclusivity  Rather than mass produce every design indefinitely, many of their items are produced in finite batches. 
Once sold out, many pieces may never be reissued which gives each item a sense of uniqueness and value. 
Volante Design

This approach helps maintain a balance between being a serious brand and an underground,fan-oriented design house: you get something special, uncommon, & built with care not a mass market T shirt.

Journey Over Time  Growth, Challenges, Evolution

Over the years, Volante Design has undergone a series of transformations as it scaled. Early on, as a one-man operation, everything was handcrafted and made to measure. 
But as demand grew including interest from geeks, cosplayers, gamers, and fashion forward individuals the business model began to shift. 
 

At a certain point, they moved to a “Phase 2” model: introducing “express orders” alongside “custom orders.” 
Express orders rely on standard sizing and pre-selected color schemes; they allow Volante to handle larger batch production (e.g. 500+ units at a time) while offering more accessible pricing than fully custom 
garments. Custom orders remain available for those who want bespoke sizing, fabric, and colors.

In order to sustain growth and scale  but without losing their core values  the brand also embraced selective overseas manufacturing for some products, after careful vetting of factories for 
ethical practices and quality standards. 
This shift enables them to expand their offerings (e.g. shirts, pants, waterproof outerwear, 
more experimental designs) while trying to keep quality and cost under control. 
 

One major challenge came during the COVID 19 pandemic: with conventions shut down  many of which were major venues for showcasing their garments Volante lost a key part of their 
exposure and sales pipeline. In response, they pivoted: instead of making convention-ready jackets, they began producing fabric masks, often donated to local medical services, 
as a way both to continue operations and support the community  while paying their staff. 
 

That period was intense: in 2020 alone, the company reportedly launched about 50 different products  quite a creative sprint to stay relevant amid uncertainty. 
But afterward, they scaled back to a more sustainable release rhythm: typically one or two products per month, 
allowing more focus on quality, marketing, and long term brand development. 
 

Through these ups and downs, Volante’s identity remained consistent: a design first studio rooted in fandom and creativity, 
striving to fuse fantasy, function, and fashion in a way that welcomes real world wearers.

Community & Identity: Who Wears Volante, and Why It Resonates

Volante Design isn’t just a clothing label it’s a community or a subculture space. Many of their customers come from fandoms: gamers, cosplayers, comic/sci-fi/fantasy fans, 
even people who just like “geek chic” or something outside mainstream fashion. 
Because many of their designs draw from or evoke iconic fictional universes, wearing 
Volante jacket can feel like a subtle nod to a fictional identity rather than a loud cosplay.

Yet unlike pure cosplay, the brand’s clothes are built for everyday life  durable enough for daily wear, but distinctive enough to feel unique. 
That mix of “real-world practicality fan inspired aesthetics” attracts people who want to express themselves, 
but don’t want to look out of place walking down a city street.

Volante has also tried to support broader social values. On their blog, the brand has spoken in support of marginalized communities, 
expressed solidarity with social justice movements, and tried to use their platform and art in ways that matter beyond fashion. 
 

Thus, Volante’s identity becomes part aesthetic, part statement, part belonging a brand for people who see fashion as a way to channel imagination, identity, community, and values.

What Volante Offers: Style, Function & Flexibility

What kinds of garments should you expect from Volante? Here's a summary of their offerings and design philosophy:

Outerwear: Jackets, coats, vests  often heavy duty, made from materials like denim, canvas, waxed canvas, heavy cotton, or other durable fabrics. 
Designed to withstand wear and change with time. 
 

Custom and ready made options: You can commission custom-fit tailored pieces (giving measurements, choosing colors, fabrics)  a truly personalized garment  
or go for standard-size “express” versions if you prefer ready-made, off-the-rack convenience. 
 

Limited edition, collectable vibe: Many designs are released in finite batches; once sold out, they may never return. 
That scarcity enhances the collectible appeal of the garments. 
Volante Design
 

Functionality with flair: While style and fandom inspiration inform the look, design always begins with utility  fit, durability, comfort, long-term wearability. 
The aim is a jacket you could wear to a convention or to your everyday life without looking out of place. 
 

Ethics and transparency: Volante aims to maintain ethical standards whether manufacturing in the U.S. or overseas, striving for fair labor practices and high manufacturing standards. 
Volante Design

Reflection: Why Volante Matters in Modern Fashion & Fandom

In a world where fast fashion churns out cheap, generic clothes by the thousands  often lacking individuality or depth  Volante Design stands out as a counter culture brand. 
It appeals not because it’s minimalist or in vogue with streetwear trends, but because it marries imagination, personal identity, craftsmanship, and practicality.

For many, wearing Volante isn’t about keeping up with mainstream fashion  
it’s about wearing something that feels like it comes from a world they love, while still being able to walk into their day-to-day life. 
It’s for people who want style that tells a story, not just fits a trend.

Moreover, Volante’s commitment to ethical manufacturing and meaningful design  even as they scale speaks to a growing demand for brands that balance artistry with responsibility. 
Their path shows that small, passion driven labels can grow, adapt, and remain true to their identity.

If you squint at a Volante garment, you don’t see just cloth and stitching you see fandom, character, history, purpose. You see an identity.

The Soul of Volante Design

Volante Design isn’t just fashion. It’s more like a wearable ethos. 
It’s where fandom meets craftsmanship; where ordinary people can slip into something that reminds them   
or shows others  that they belong to a world bigger than everyday grey.

From custom fit, hand sewn jackets for one person, to limited run, globally shipped pieces for a community  
Volante has matured from a side project into a small but vibrant design house, with ideals rooted in imagination, quality, and inclusivity.

If you wear a Volante jacket, you’re not just wearing clothing you’re wearing a story, a worldview, and an invitation: to stand out, to belong, to feel badass.

Unlock 10% Off Sitewide (Code) Discount20