Editor’s Picks: Top 50 Bomber Jackets
Bomber Jackets – where did it all start?
Bomber Jackets or ‘Flight Jackets’ were originally designed for pilots in World War I to keep the pilots warm. Most aeroplanes had an open cockpit back then, so it got pretty cold up there. History reports that the Royal Flying Corps first wore them in 1915 and the U.S. Air Force in 1917.
Since then, the classic Bomber has become a fashion staple in many popular cultures like skinheads and mod’s plus hip-hop and in American Football. Bombers are still heavily used by the military and the famous jacket is also the preferred choice of many Police Departments across the U.S.
You only have to look at movies from the 50’s to see how strong its influence has been on the images of a bad boy. Actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando rocked the bomber jacket and we can’t forget the likes of James Stewart and Cary Grant. As you will see from our selections, many designers use varsity and collegiate influences in their bombers, and we’ve included many here.
The Bomber is a jacket that can be worn all year round – they feature in both Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer collections – for Winter you will see heavier materials, often leather, some lined with fur and huge collars. In Summer more lightweight materials, cuts and colour options are often used.
The appeal of the bomber is not just global, but also unisex. Women and girls also choose bomber jackets to complement their look. Remember the last time you seen a sexy girl in a brown leather bomber with skinny jeans and high-heeled boots? So the bomber truly is universal – military, collegiate, movie stars, rock stars, hip-hop artists, sportsmen/women, skinheads, mods, teenagers and gentleman.
From the high-street to leading design-houses, everybody makes a Bomber Jacket. Here we have selected everybody from Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Farah Vintage, Fred Perry, Private White V.C, Paul Smith, Tommy Hilfiger to Saint Laurent, ASOS, Ragged Priest, Peace Corps and Diesel. Stores featured include ASOS, Mr Porter, Barneys New York, SSense, OKINI, Urban Outfitters, Liberty London, Harrods, Bergdorf Goodman, Topman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Tommy Hilfiger. We hope you enjoy – just click on the individual images to be taken to the online store were you can shop each Bomber.
Ian Cole / Editor-in-Chief
EDITOR’S PICKS: TOP 50 BOMBER JACKETS
ASOS Hooded Bomber Jacket with Faux Leather Sleeves. Click image to shop
Fred Perry Bomber Jacket with Tipping. Click image to shop
Lyle & Scott Vintage Bomber Jacket with Fairisle. Click image to shop
Bellfield Wool Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
The Hundreds Bomber Jacket Forever Slant. Click Image to shop
Solid Leather Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Pro Green X Puma Satin Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Stussy Satin Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
55DSL Bomber Jacket with Contrast Sleeves. Click image to shop
Reclaimed Vintage Bomber Jacket in Satin. Click image to shop
Farah Vintage Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Reclaimed Vintage Bomber Jacket with Stars & Back print. Click image to shop
Reclaimed Vintage Leather Bomber Jacket with Borg Collar. Click image to shop
Paul Smith Cowskin Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Native Youth Varsity Bomber with Contrast Sleeves. Click image to shop
Lacoste Live Contrast Sleeve Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Vintage Renewal Plaid Arm Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Hackett Leather Flight Jacket. Click image to shop
Paul Smith Mesh Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Diesel J-Clivia Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Giorgio Armani Mesh Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
ASOS Down Fill Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Christopher Shannon Split Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Adidas X Opening Ceremony Rock Print Quilted Bomber Jacket. Click to shop
Alexander McQueen Black Leather Bomber Jacket. Click to shop
Anerkjendt Black Quilted Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Boy London Black 1976 Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Undercover Anatomicouture Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Alexander McQueen Skull-Embossed Leather Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Huntergather Navy Blue Bomber Jacket. Click Image to shop
Christopher Raeburn Remade In England Bivouac Bag & Mesh Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Richard Nicoll Silk Jacquard Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Topman Burgundy Contrast Sleeve Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Ragged Priest Ash Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Helmut Lang Lightweight Zip Front Bomber. Click image to buy
Band of Outsiders Varsity Jacket. Click image to shop
Tommy Hilfiger Bart Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Mackintosh Storm System Cotton Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Criminal Damage Tomb Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Ragged Priest Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
London Athletics Club Black Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Burberry Brit Showerproof Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Private White V.C. Harris Tweed & Shearling Quilted Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Saint Laurent Satin Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Paul Smith Navy Wool Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Peace Corps Harrington Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Gucci Techno Nylon Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Vintage Renewal Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Saint Laurent Black Glossy Bomber Jacket
John Varvatos Star USA .Leather Bomber Jacket. Click image to shop
Designers/Brands
55DSL, Adidas x Opening Ceremony, Alexander McQueen, Anerkjendt, ASOS, Band of Outsiders, Bellfield, Boy London, Burberry Brit, Christopher Raeburn, Christopher Shannon, Diesel, Farah Vintage, Fred Perry, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hackett, Helmut Lang, Huntergather, John Varvatos, Lacoste, London Athletics Club, Lyle & Scott, Mackintosh, Native Youth, Paul Smith, Peace Corps, Private White V.C., Pro Green X Puma, Ragged Priest, Reclaimed Vintage, Richard Nicoll, Saint Laurent, Solid, Stussy, The Hundreds, Tommy Hilfiger, Topman, Undercover and Vintage Renewal.
Stockists
ASOS
Barneys New York
Bergdorf Goodman
Harrods
OK-INI
Liberty London
Mr Porter
Nordstrom
Saks Fifth Avenue
SSENSE
Tommy Hilfiger
Urban Outfitters
