American Expat Essentials

One of the first things American expats ask, when they find themselves in a foreign city for the first time, is: Where can they buy certain specialty food items, toiletries, cosmetics and other products that Homeland Americans take for granted?

For that matter, what about that wardrobe essential – for expat Texans, at least – a decent pair of (genuine) cowboy boots?

We understand, because we’ve been there ourselves. Like you, we have fumbled with Google Translate on our iPhone, for example, to be able to ask “where do you keep the peanut butter” or “do you carry Coffee Mate” of an Italian shopkeeper.

Some countries are better than others, of course. And as long-time expats will tell you, things are a bit easier than they were, now that a growing number of online providers are addressing this market.

As a service to our readers, as well as to help keep the American Expat Financial News Journal afloat, we have created a listing of some of these online providers.

Do please give them your support, in return for their willingness to support our quality journalism.

If you have a business you’d like included in this listing, please contact Helen Burggraf at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cockpit USA (formerly AVIREX Ltd.)

Cockpit USA logo The Cockpit USA was founded in 1975 by Jeff Clyman, a seasoned Warbird pilot who used to spend his free time flying vintage WWII-era aircraft in Stateside air shows. When he’d wear his father’s Army Air Corps aviator jacket, people used to ask him where they could get one like it… and so began AVIREX Ltd., initially with original period aviator jackets and other collectibles.

Then, working from original military designs, AVIREX began manufacturing its own range of jackets, for which it discovered there was a huge demand. Soon the U.S. Air Force began buying its A-2 leather flight jackets, and the company became an official government supplier. In 1983 the company partnered with Warner Bros. to promote the film “The Right Stuff”, doing the same in 1986 with Paramount Pictures to promote "Top Gun".

Website: www.cockpitusa.com Sheepskin bomber jacket 2