A bomber jacket is a classic piece of men’s outerwear that is both versatile and timeless. Bomber jackets come in many different styles, colors and materials, meaning all guys can take advantage of this cool fashion trend. Whether you want a casual look with jeans, a white t-shirt, and sneakers or a smart casual style with a button-up, chinos and boots, there is a bomber jacket outfit for you.
These jackets make great fall and winter layering pieces to accentuate your style or lightweight jackets in the spring and summer as statement pieces. To inspire you with men’s outfit ideas, check out our guide to learn how to wear a bomber jacket. We’ll show you exactly what to wear and how to look good to make the bomber jacket style work for you!
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What Is A Bomber Jacket?
A bomber jacket is a type of military flight jacket created for pilots and is now a casual jacket for men. Also known as a flight jacket, bomber jackets were first introduced during World War I, but became more commonly worn by the pilots of long-range bombers during World War II. These thick, well-insulated leather jackets were worn to keep pilots warm during high-altitude sorties during which the temperature within the cabin would regularly dip below freezing. As the flight jacket became popular with civilians, the bomber transformed to suit a more casual aesthetic.
The silhouette of the bomber jacket became slimmer and the variations made of nylon, polyester, and wool became popular. Now, the bomber jacket can be recognized by a front zipper, fitted waistline, and ribbed cuffs. The style also includes a trademark zipper on the upper arm of the left sleeve. There are many types of bomber jackets, so if you want a jacket to keep you warm in the winter, you’ll want to find one made of high-quality materials and designed for both functionality and fashion.
Bomber Jacket Outfits
With so many riffs on the classic bomber jacket style, there are endless possible outfits for men to try. Before exploring the rest of the outfit, we need to discuss the different choices available for the jacket itself. With so many different bomber jacket colors to choose from, it’s important to pick the best color for your look and fashion.
If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to shop for a versatile color like black that looks good with everything; otherwise, guys who want to make a bomber jacket an essential part of their style can get multiple colors and variations to work with different parts of their wardrobe.
After you’ve decided on your favorite jacket, you can start to piece together the rest of the outfit. Finding the right pants, jeans, shirts, button-ups, shoes, and boots are critical to styling the bomber jacket properly. You can pull off a classic style with chinos or trousers, a collared shirt, and clean white shoes. For a more modern look, skinny jeans with a black shirt and sneakers or boots will make a chic fashion statement.
Let’s explore some of the best bomber jacket outfit ideas for men this year!
Black Bomber Jacket
When creating an outfit, a black bomber jacket is a reliable choice. Black bombers are often made out of nylon, making them lightweight and sleek. You can add this to outfits for warmers days by wearing it over a clean white shirt or use it as a layering piece by donning it over a cotton zip-up jacket. These bombers can also be found in leather, which can add a refined finish to your everyday look.
White Bomber Jacket
The fresh white bomber jacket lends itself well to outfits that other colors may not. For example, a lightweight white bomber is a great piece for warm spring days which might be inappropriate for other darker colors. Wear it on top of standout prints and jeans for a bright look.
Red Bomber Jacket
The red bomber jacket is a loud piece that requires some skill to wear well, but by paying attention to the rest of your outfit, you can pull it off with dazzling results. Because the red bomber jacket is bold, pair it with neutrals throughout the rest of your outfit. Try it on top of grey or black jeans, a classic white or black T-shirt, and black or white shoes for a classic look.
Blue Bomber Jacket
Effortlessly cool and easy to wear, the blue bomber jacket is versatile and works well with all types of styles. From light blue to navy, the most popular blue bomber jacket outfit combines ripped skinny jeans, a shirt, white shoes, and your favorite top. This modern and casual look is trendy and fashionable but can be worn all around town without looking out of place.
Burgundy Bomber Jacket
The burgundy bomber jacket is an edgy look, perfect for making a statement while maintaining a classic foundation in your outfit. Though it can be intimidating because of the color, dress a dark red or burgundy bomber outfit like you would other colors. Try the style with a white shirt, black jeans, and black high-top sneakers. For a lighter aesthetic, try the jacket with light denim jeans or khaki chinos, a white or light colored T-shirt, and classic white shoes. This piece will add a memorable layer to several outfits.
Olive Green Bomber Jacket
Olive green bomber jackets draw heavily on their military heritage, mirroring the green drab of the original airmen jackets. Olive is a staple in menswear; don’t be afraid to use it extensively. Choose a casual look with dark wash jeans, boots, and a T-shirt or layer it on top of your favorite brightly colored hoodie for those colder winter days. For a more refined look, wear a white turtleneck underneath your olive jacket.
Long Bomber Jacket
Most bombers land on top of the hip, but you can find long bomber jackets that include a tail that extends down to the thighs. These jackets are modern hybrids, combining the top half of a bomber with the bottom half of a parka. Long bombers offer more insulation and thus make great winter pieces. Try them with slim joggers and your best pair of fresh sneakers for a trendy athleisure look.
Leather Bomber Jacket
The leather bomber jacket is the most timeless option for a bomber. Brown leather will provide you the most versatility, but you can opt for black for some moto inspiration. Leather bomber jackets provide excellent protection from the cold and can be paired with any casual staples. Try a brown leather bomber with olive chinos and a white shirt for a classic look that will have you at home in any situation.
Suede Bomber Jacket
Inspired more by the 70’s than the 50’s, suede bomber jackets are an important piece for adding variety to your outerwear. A bomber in a brown suede is a great piece for softer outfits for relaxed occasions. Suede bombers will work well over a button-down and sweater for smart-casual occasions in the winter.
When To Wear A Bomber Jacket
Because there are so many options for different bomber jackets, they can be worn in many different settings. They lack the formality of blazers, so be careful as the dress code becomes more formal.
Casual Occasions
Casual occasions offer you the most opportunity to wear your bomber. Try a nylon blazer with chinos and desert boots or sneakers during summer and spring. Experiment with streetwear or stick to classic styles like simple T-shirts, flannels, and polo shirts on top. As it gets colder, try layering warm pieces like hoodies or a cable-knit sweater underneath your bomber. Put your bomber on over a comfortable sweater with jeans and boots for a stylish everyday look during the winter.
Smart Business Casual Occasions
While this fashion piece is usually confined to casual events, bomber jackets can easily be taken into smart casual dress codes. Some high-end bomber jackets made with quality materials and classy designs can even help you pull off a business casual look. To dress up your bomber, make sure to select a bomber that is not too loud. Look for classic colors like black, brown, and olive in slim cuts. Suede and leather naturally look upscale and sophisticated. Pair these with slim dark chinos or black slacks and an Oxford-cloth button up shirt for a smart casual look.
How Should A Bomber Jacket Fit?
The answer to how a bomber jacket should fit depends on how you want to wear it. For less formal jackets that you are going to wear mainly for warmth, you may want to try the more classic styles that are cut wide in the arms and shoulders.
For a modern fit, look for a jacket that is cut closer to your torso with less room in the sleeves. The shoulders of the jacket should fit snugly without being tight and causing the fabric of the jacket to pull. Be careful with the length of the sleeves; the cuffed wrists should not cause the sleeves to bunch too much. The bottom of the jacket should fall at your natural waist for a flattering silhouette.
How To Wear A Bomber Jacket
- Pick a color that you can rock with the rest of the pieces in your wardrobe.
- Mix standout pieces in with classics in browns, blacks, and olive
- Try modern slim nylon bomber jackets or more classic leather alternatives
- Wear bombers casually with jeans and T-shirts
- Dress them up with chinos, sweaters, and button-down shirts
