What Is a Bomber Jacket? The Ultimate Bomber Style Guide
The classic bomber jacket is an essential outerwear item for any man's closet. The timeless jacket is both chic and practical because of the wide range of looks it allows you to create. Therefore, the bomber is the solution whether you need something to keep you warm in the winter or a statement style to finish off casual outfits.
Despite its wartime origins, the bomber jacket has evolved into one of the most ubiquitous outerwear styles of all time. It has been a part of the uniform of countless subcultures and style tribes and has been worn by stars ranging from Marlon Brando to Ryan Gosling. In a nutshell: never before have so many men been indebted to the menswear industry.
What Is a Bomber Jacket?
The bomber jacket is just one of many classic menswear items with a history connected to the armed forces. The bomber, like the peacoat, the trench coat, and the parka before it, has a classic style that will never go out of style because it was originally designed for military use but has since become ingrained in popular culture.
The original bomber jacket was intended to keep its wearer toasty even in subzero temperatures, it's not surprising that the style's enduring popularity has led to its enduring preservation of many of the original jacket's defining characteristics.
Bomber Jackets are commonly made of leather, sheepskin, or fabric. The jacket is tailored to end at the waist and fastens in the usual ways (a zipper or buttons) and has stretchy cuffs and a hem. For added defense against the elements, the collar can be worn flipped up and fastened around the wearer's neck.
A Brief History of the Bomber Jacket
Flight bomber jacket has its roots in the Roaring Twenties. Previously, airmen kept warm in the open-air cockpits by wearing longer, heavyweight shearling jackets, but these were often cumbersome. In order to facilitate greater mobility while piloting, the garment was shortened, the cuffs were knitted so that air would not rush up the arms, and large pockets were sewed into it.
Considering the cultural icons depicted on bombers, it's easily understandable why they're so popular. Images of Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire," Steve McQueen in "The Great Escape," or Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" come to mind. These movies popularized bomber jackets as a fashion element.
The Best Bomber Jackets You Can Buy
Sway in Suede Bomber Jacket
There is no doubt that suede is one of the highest-quality materials available, and it is specifically designed to complement your sense of style. As it has an incredible softness and a cool, multi-tonal appearance of the texture. You could also go for a suede jacket if you wanted to look a little more put together.
Reyna's Tan Sheepskin Shearling B-3 Bomber Style Jacket
These jackets were known for their Sheepskin Leather and heavy-duty Sheep Fur lining or shearling, in addition to being called 'Flight Jackets' rather than Bomber Jackets. The collar of this particular model of flight jacket was secured by two leather straps rather than a knit waistband.
A2 Bomber Aviator leather jacket
A2 leather Bomber Jackets typically utilize Horsehide or Goatskin material and feature rib-knitted cuffs, shirt-style collars, and zipper closure. The A2 Jackets are notable for their sophisticated new look, which is the result of several small design tweaks.
Phoenix Red Sheepskin Shearling Bomber Jacket
The soft, luxurious feel and a high degree of insulation make shearling a popular choice. As the most popular piece of outerwear this season, a shearling bomber jacket is an absolute necessity for keeping you warm. While red is undoubtedly one of the most well-liked hues for bomber jackets, there is a plethora of other colors and tones available to accommodate any style.
Aviator flight bomber jacket
Films that successfully incorporated classic items like leather bomber jackets into their aesthetic have become sources of inspiration and are still cited as sources of inspiration today. An ageless fashion is the aviator or flight bomber jacket.
The key features that stand out in this outwear include a shirt-style collar, rib-knitted cuffs, and a zipper closure.
Enya's black and white collarless leather jacket
The rich and effortless qualities of Enya's black and white collarless leather jacket are evident in her ability to draw inspiration from and be accepted by a wide range of musical styles and audiences.
It could be a modern take on a classical form, a nod to a bygone era's eye-catching aesthetic, a hybrid of the old and new, or some other style that brings to light the elements shared by all true classics.
Why Is It Called a Bomber Jacket?
The original wearers of men's bomber jackets were the aviators who needed protection from the elements as they dropped bombs on the ground. During World War I, the first bomber jackets were created for American pilots to wear while bombing German targets in Europe. The term also applies to pilot jackets worn by pilots of "fighter" planes, which engage in aerial combat with opposing aircraft using bullets rather than bombs.
In a nutshell, bomber jackets got their name when World War I bomber pilots wore them.
How Are Bomber Jackets Made?
The original army bomber jackets were constructed from leather and fur. So that it wouldn't get in the way of opening parachutes, this evolved into a knitted collar. It wasn't until 1945 that nylon replaced wool as the material of choice for pilot uniforms due to its lower cost, greater water resistance, and greater ability to wick away perspiration.
Collars on civilian versions of the bomber jacket have transitioned from cotton or wool, which quickly wears out of non-constant use, to acrylic as the style became more widespread.
Bomber jackets now come in a wide range of fabrics. Common examples are leather, wool, silk, satin, and suede.
Types of Bomber Jackets
There is an endless selection available, in a wide range of styles, from men's bomber jackets to trendy bomber jackets for women. We'll talk about a few of them down below.
The Flight Bomber Jacket
Flight bomber jackets are known for their warm interior or collar and their short, leather construction. A hallmark of the Flight Jacket—a forerunner to the bomber jacket and Letterman jacket—is its abundance of storage space.
The Flight Jacket is a popular outerwear item that was created for pilots to wear during flights. This is why this classic has been given a makeover, from the design to the shape to the name.
Ma-1 Bomber Jacket
The Ma-1 Bomber Jacket is distinguished by its elastic knit collar in place of a fur one. The stretchy knit collars were ideal for parachute harnesses after the fur was no longer necessary for warmth. Nylon was the fabric of choice at the time because it could keep the pilot warm and dry for a low price and required little maintenance.
In addition to the traditional US Air Force Navy Blue, the MA1 Bomber Jacket was also introduced in several additional colors. For conflicts like the Korean and Vietnam Wars, these jackets were also produced in a Camouflage Green.
B-3 Bomber Jacket
The B3 Flight Jackets, introduced in the 1930s, were quickly followed by a B-Series of jackets that were known for their Sheepskin Leather and heavy-duty Sheep Fur lining, or shearling. These jackets became popularly known as 'Flight Jackets' due to their use by aviators.
Today, there are many types of lining options available for flight jackets, but the B-Series jackets remain a classic example of quality craftsmanship and durability.
The jacket's collar was fastened with two leather straps rather than a knit waistband. However, despite their good looks, these jackets were quite bulky because they were made to keep bombers warm at altitudes of 25,000 feet.
Shearling Bomber Jacket
The shearling Bomber jacket, also known as a sheepskin jacket, is a timeless piece of outerwear and an indispensable part of any winter wardrobe. The iconic jacket, made famous as part of the uniform of Second World War aviators, has a rich and storied history that stretches back to the very beginnings of European civilization.
The shearling jacket is a classic menswear staple, revered for its practicality and iconic for its long standing place in fashion. Use this iconic menswear item to its full potential.
Quilted Bomber Jacket
The surface of a quilted bomber jacket is what defines it as such. Each Quilted Bomber Jacket may be unique in this regard. Some have simple quilting on the front, back, or sleeves, while others have elaborate quilting throughout the entire jacket.
Suede Bomber Jackets
Suede bomber jackets are a fashion staple that have earned their rightful place among an ever-expanding group of peers. A suede jacket is a backbone that allows you to combine the best of the past and the present, while still maintaining your regal stature and staying power.
As a staple piece in any fashionable person's wardrobe, a suede jacket is a must-have. Suede jackets look great and serve multiple purposes, whether you're going out with friends or to a fancy dinner. The suede jacket has flawlessly nailed the formula, with its simple and practical design that works in both casual and glamorous settings.
Leather Aviator Bomber Jacket
A plethora of high-quality jackets means that you can choose from a wide variety of options for your outerwear. The aviator bomber jacket is widely regarded as the epitome of luxurious outerwear. This aviator bomber jacket's classic style makes it a wardrobe staple for both genders.
If you're looking to inject a little more manliness into your wardrobe but are sick of wearing the same old styles of jacket, the aviator jacket is a great choice. The aviator jacket is a popular piece of outerwear because of its stylish retro look and practical warmth. Because of this, it is the ideal coat for the colder months of the year, including the fall.
Nylon and Polyester Bombers
Bomber jackets made of nylon or polyester are also excellent options. They are long-lasting, resistant to water, lightweight, and fashionable. Because the ribbed-elastic waist and wrist bands trap heat and the front zipper vents excess, you can wear these in both winter and spring.
The U.S. military made the switch from leather jackets to Nylon jackets. Jackets made from nylon are much more compact, thin, warm, and water-resistant than those made from any other material. And their form is preserved for an indefinite period. Nylon and polyester rarely stretch, while leather jackets will start to sag after four to five years of regular use.
Double-Knit Bomber Jacket
The bomber jacket is an essential item, famous for its combination of a modern double-knit fabric and the brand's signature embroidered Pony. The jacket's sleek silhouette and zippered sleeve pockets make it ideal for formal events where you want to look polished without trying too hard.
Athletic and Varsity Jackets
Young athletes in the 1980s wore varsity jackets, also known as letterman or baseball jackets. Since these jackets now come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and patterns, it's become increasingly important to know how to properly wear and accessorize your letterman jacket.
This trendy outerwear used to be a hit among male and female students at a variety of educational institutions, but now it's available to the general public at high retail prices.
Varsity Jacket
The Varsity Jacket has evolved from its original form, which was created at the beginning of the twentieth century for use by college baseball teams in the United States, to its present form, which mimics the silhouette of a bomber jacket. Commonly crafted from cotton or wool, they are soft against the skin and simple to put on.
What Is a Bomber Style in Jacket?
The bomber jacket style has all the hallmarks of a classic jacket: ribbed cuffs and hem, a zippered front, and a cleanly cut neckline. Although there is a wide variety of colors, cuts, and designs to choose from, the typical waist, length, and design are all fairly consistent. Except for a few isolated cases where a hood is added.
What Are Flight Bomber Jackets?
A Flight bomber jacket is characterized by a short length and a soft interior and collar. Multipockets are a hallmark of the Flight Jacket, a predecessor to both the bomber jacket and Letterman jacket.
Since its creation, the Flight Jacket has proved to be a popular piece of outerwear. As a result, the design, shape, and name of this classic piece have all been updated.
What Are Padded Bomber Jackets?
Padded bomber jackets feature padding at strategic points, most notably the shoulders and elbows. Padding is commonly used to increase the Bomber Jacket's functionality and provide the wearer with additional protection. Some Bomber Jackets are padded purely for aesthetic reasons, though this is not the norm.
Do Bomber Jackets Keep You Warm?
The main purpose of the bomber jacket was to provide warmth in subzero temperatures. This characteristic has not changed over time, but bomber jackets now come in a variety of materials besides sheepskin leather.
Are Bomber Jackets Waterproof?
There are both conventional and watertight variations of bomber jackets to choose from. There is often a misunderstanding between the terms "waterproof" and "water resistant" when discussing waterproofing.
Waterproof bomber jackets can be worn in the rain without fear of moisture seeping inside, while water-resistant ones can be worn in light rain but still get wet.
Do Bomber Jackets Have Hoods?
Historically speaking, bomber jackets did not feature hoods. Later on, when bomber jackets were made of cotton and nylon, the hooded variety made its debut. Although this is more of a matter of taste, many bomber jackets come with removable hoods in case you want to use them.
Why Use Bomber Jackets?
In contrast to other outerwear, this piece can be worn year-round. A one-of-a-kind achievement! Although outerwear is most useful in the winter, it is possible to wear it comfortably through the spring and summer by selecting the appropriate fabric.
Give Lusso Leather a Shot
Bomber jackets in our collection are available in a variety of styles and are made of premium full grain leather, making them suitable for a variety of environments. With Lusso Leather, you'll find your go-to Bomber jackets, whether you're looking for a leather jacket or a stylish way to top off your casual wear.
Final Thoughts
Not only have we discovered that the style of the bomber jacket can be traced back to fighter pilots, World Wars, and sleek military uniforms, but we have also learned that bomber jackets are universally recognizable.
There has been a steady evolution over the years in the range of fabrics, colors, and styles available for both men's and women's bomber jackets. The worldwide appeal of the bomber jacket style is unparalleled by that of any other single classic garment.
