When we talk about leather jackets, a leather bomber jacket is what we think about initially.
A bomber jacket is a classic piece of outerwear that has a short waist length with a gathered, ribbed waistband and matching cuffs. A zippered closure consisting of a total of 6 pockets 2 inside the quilted viscose lining and 4 on the outside. Bomber jackets are not leather limited as they are made in various fabrics like polyester, suede, nylon and cotton.
History
Bombers, also known as flight jackets, were initially introduced during World War 1. The pilots’ basic necessity was an enclosed jacket to be windproof as the planes didn’t have a top. It was part of the US military uniform.
Since then, the bomber jacket has progressed from year to year, before it being a style staple. During World War 2, the B3 bomber jacket was launched which was the revised version of the bomber jacket for higher altitudes and harsher winds.
The bomber jacket got its name from the introduction part as the military uniform. As it originated during WW I & II the jacket got its name through the jets that were used to bomb, hence a bomber’s jacket.
Types of Bomber Jackets.
The bomber jackets in the 21st century are available in various finishes. Some of which are listed below.
1. Wool Bomber Jacket
This specific bomber jacket is for the winters specifically, for its really warm nature. With its thickness, it sure protects the person from the dry and devastating chills. Despite being waterproof, woollen bomber jackets serve their purpose astonishingly.
2. Suede Bomber Jacket
Suede is the type of leather with a napped finish, it is generally made from the underside of the animal hide. It is one of the higher-quality fabrics that gives a high end textured look to the overall jacket. In nature, suede is soft yet dyeable; the reason it is found in various colours.
3. Polyester Bomber Jacket
Polyester is a lightweight warm fabric with its not penetrating fabric which prevents the blockage of wind chills, it is the most common fabric used in bomber jackets because of its intensive durability. It is mostly worn in the spring seasons as being a lightweight jacket. The polyester lining is water as well as weatherproof which adds extra durability in its nature.
4. Leather Bomber Jacket
Leather is an evergreen fabric upon which many jackets are based upon. Being a high end, a classy fashion staple that outruns every other fabric. Many types of bomber jackets are made in leather, whether it is cow, sheep, goat or faux. The luxe leather makes the jacket look unique.
5. Long Bomber Jacket
The longline bomber jacket is one of its kind. Mostly the basic bomber jacket is waist-length at tops. But when it comes to the longline bomber the minimum length of the jacket is up to the knees. The specific jacket is the best for winters.
What to Look at Before Buying a Bomber Jacket?
Being gender-friendly, the leather jacket is not gender specific when it comes to the design. The designs present are mostly the same apart from some designers who solely design for women. The bomber jacket is the most simplistic yet the most ionic jacket present in the outerwear listicle. There are various things you can be guided on before you invest in it.
● Having The Right Fit
The right fit is the most essential yet important thing to consider before buying the bomber jacket. The waistband and the cuffs being elasticated, it needs to be at the perfect length.
● Colour Contrast
The monochromatic scale is very vast starting from super white to the darkest black. One jacket can be worn in many ways. The base can be colour contrasted or two neutral colours can be put together to radiate the look of the jacket itself.
● Be Your Own Designer
Many people dare to style their personality. When it comes to a bomber jacket it can be worn in various yet any way possible. Try every shirt, every pair of pant and look for what suits them best. Being it patterned, textured or anything. Be your own designer to completely stand out.
● Artistic Approach
The different graphics and embroidery on the jacket is a sassy style for everyday streetwear. The graphics emit a rebellious personality. It’s best for main teens but grownups can wear it too as it is said, there is no accounting for the tastes.
Bomber Jacket Styles
1. Classic Bomber Jacket
The classic bomber jacket is easy to wear. With a classic modern touch. Multiple contrasts help the jacket to radiate the wearer’s personality. With a contemporary style invented in world war I and II the modern classic bomber jacket is no less.
2. Vintage Bomber Jacket
The vintage bomber jacket is the classical epitome of elegance in the modern era. They were used by the airforce pilots in the past, hence giving it the style name; vintage.
3. Aviator Flight Bomber Jacket
The aviator flight bomber jacket is a classic example of timelessness with a trendsetting nature settled by many artists in Hollywood. The aviator fighter jacket has played a vital role in several movies and TV shows which includes, Top Gun, Lost Ark, Drive and Pulp Fiction. With a rib-knit collar and cuff style, the jacket emits a classical look. With a quilted polyester lining along with a fleeced collar. The military bomber jacket and the air-force jackets are examples of this timeless classic. The flight jackets have evolved into various styles and silhouettes, which had been known as’ letterman jackets’ and the ‘bomber jacket’ the name that is being used for the jacket today.
● A-1 Bomber Jacket
The US Army Aviation Clothing was assigned a task to provide warm insulated clothing for the pilots during the war, as the planes were not insulated and were also open. Resulting in manufacturing the flight jacket from horsehide the A-1 bomber jacket was introduced which consisted of a knit collar, cuffs, a waistband and a buttoned-up closure.
● A-2 Bomber Jackets
Mainly made from horsehide the A-2 flight jacket was introduced in the 1930s which was the upgraded version of the A-1 Bomber Jacket. The jacket was made up of heavy-duty fasteners, knit cuffs and waistband, high collars, a wind flap and a zippered closure. The jacket did its job perfectly as it was more insulating than the A-1 flight jacket. The A-2 was perfect in its purpose as well as the style.
● B-3 Flight Jacket
They were also introduced in the 1930s when the specific jacket got its name ‘bomber’. The heavy-duty jacket was made of sheepskin along with sheep fur lining. The jacket didn’t have a knit waistband, it had 2 leather straps that hold the jacket together. These jackets had the most appealing and sassy look that also served its purpose by keeping the pilots warm at 25000 ft. height.
● B-6 Flight Jacket
The B series of the flight jacket had another stem known as the B-6, it was also made up of sheepskin leather along with sheep fur but it was not as much insulated as the B3 as it was a more wearable cut. B3 being heavy, made it harder to wear for the pilot. The jacket did not have a knit collar or waistband instead it had a single latch collar that was used to put the jacket together.
● B-7 Flight Jacket
The Arctic Parkas were introduced during WWII in the 1940’s they were used by the soldiers on the ground in extremely cold climates. The jacket was more like a shearling coat with knee-length fur-lining composed of sheepskin leather and fur along with a thick furlined hood.
● B-10 Flight Jacket
The B-10 was also designed in the 1940s, not having the ability to serve its purpose the B-10 jacket flopped miserably. Having the Alpaca Fur lining along with a matching Alpaca Fur collar and a zippered closure. The jacket had style but when it comes to the objective the jacket failed.
● B-15 Bomber Jacket
From the 1940s to the 1950s the B-15 got the perfect recognition of the bomber jacket. Along with the knit waist and cuffs, the jacket was composed of not only leather but, nylon and cotton variants too. It also included many functional pockets along with a pen pocket, on the upper arm of the sleeve, slash pockets on the front and the leather straps to hold oxygen masks. Despite providing the proper functionality the jacket served the best style purpose as apparel too.
● M422 & M422a Jacket
Both of the jackets are alike in various ways, differentiating each other by the one and only pencil slot on the left side of the M422a, it was also shortlisted for the volunteers who assisted the Chinese in the Second Sino Japanese war.
● G1 Jackets
They are the modified and upgraded version of the M422a Jacket, the contemporary style differentiated from the m422a in various ways, including the expansion of the material like goatskin, nylon and wool. The timelessness of the G1 can be seen to date worn over by many fashion enthusiasts. The G1 jackets are normally made up of sheepskin leather along with a removable fur shirt collar. The semi-aniline finish makes the piece classical outerwear nowadays.
● MA 1 Bomber Jacket
Launched in the 1950s the MA1 is the classic style of the bomber jacket that has been on the market to share the contemporary style. It is the upgraded yet fine version of the M422a and the G1 jacket that has been worn by civilians for nearly 6 decades now. The jackets consisted of a high knit collar instead of the fur-lined, the jacket was entitled upon nylon, being the base fabric.
● CWU-45 Bomber Jacket
The CWU-45, also known as the MA2 Flight jacket which was introduced in the 1950s, gained its popularity in the 1980s when the term MA2 was trademarked and the design became vogue in the streets of the US. Since then the bomber jacket has been a style staple.
4. Hybrid Varsity Jacket
Also known as the letterman jacket, the varsity jacket has a knitted collar, cuffs and waistband of the same fabric. The jackets are mostly made up of nylon or wool exhibiting the proper warmth. It also has a buttoned closure rather than the zipper. It gained its popularity through the American Baseball game when the teams started to wear these jackets as a baseball uniform.
Coloured Bomber Jackets
The bomber jackets have evolved a lot over many decades. Being a style staple the jackets are available in various colours now which radiates the overall personality of the person.
Black Bomber Jacket
The colour black is the most simple yet the most iconic colour when it comes to the jacket. Its universality gives the jacket an advantage to be worn on anything. Pair it with any contrast and the style will reflect for sure.
Brown Bomber Jacket
The best shade from the earthy colours gives the jacket a contemporary look. The feeling of ruggedness and stability is to be encountered when we see a brown bomber jacket.
Camouflage Bomber Jacket
The contrast of 2 earthy colours helps the soldiers to hide behind the bushes when on the field battling. The camouflage gained popularity by its sassy and rugged look. The jackets are worn in blue or black jeans along with boots.
Green Bomber Jacket
The initial colour provided for the US military pilots was dark green. The colour is very much like camouflage but it’s basically without a pattern. The colour provides a confident look.
White Bomber Jacket
Having a unique factor, the white bomber jacket seems quite rare but having a natural hue makes it radiate the wearer’s personality astonishingly. The white jacket can be contrasted in various colours. It can be worn on blue jeans and plain black or even a white t-shirt topped with the white bomber jacket.
Red Bomber Jacket
Red being a bold colour can be styled very easily. It makes a statement at being more fashion-forward from the other colours.
When to Wear a Bomber Jacket?
The bomber jacket is a stylish piece of apparel that has been around humanity for decades. The jacket can be worn on different occasions, the bomber jacket is mostly considered as a casual outfit.
Casual Wear
The bomber jackets are the best casual outfit for winters or chilly springs. Modern streetwear provides the bearer with a unique and confident outlook.
Concert Wear
Leather jackets and concerts are excessively linked together. The jackets cool nature made it a style icon to wear in concerts or parties. The leather bomber jacket paired with black chinos or trousers and a white or light coloured t-shirt. The overall ensemble looks really attractive.
Semi-Formal
Sometimes a bomber jacket works in a semi-formal environment. Mostly, suede or leather bombers can be worn in the semi-formal category, the jacket worn over a buttoned down, tucked striped shirt on chinos and loafers makes the person look crisp and ready for office hours.
Ending Note
Now, we know what is and how the bomber jacket came into being. Starting from WWI in the early 1900s till now in 2021 the bomber/ flight jacket has not been out of style. The different models, one better than the other were introduced, in the end, the B3, G1, MA1 and MA2 are the only heirs that are in vogue up till today. Evolving from the past many decades, bomber jackets are available in various fabrics as well as colours. And the gendered friendly nature helps it to radiate anyone despite being a man or a woman. The bomber jacket is a timeless classic that has no boundaries and is a popular piece of outerwear around the globe.