I’m Sick of Parka Weather. Just Let Me Wear a Bomber Jacket Already

Bomber Jacket again comes to Trend:

The wardrobe of emoji clothes is seriously missing some important pieces. There are eight pairs of shoes, two shirts, two pairs of pants, four bags, three sunglasses, two hats, and only one coat. I like the idea of a minimalist closet and the benefits of having a personal uniform, but this tiny capsule wardrobe just doesn’t work. Emoji Me has absolutely no style. I’m not sure how to officially ask the Unicode Consortium for changes, but if I could choose one piece of outerwear for my wardrobe as an emoji or in real life, it definitely wouldn’t be a trench coat. It would be a bomber jacket.

Bomber jackets first appeared during World War I and were originally designed for airforce pilots. They were made from thick sheepskin to protect pilots from extremely cold temperatures. The bomber’s famous design, with its boxy and cropped silhouette, helped pilots move easily while sitting inside a tight cockpit. For more detail reading check my blog on it "What Is a Bomber Jacket? The History of a Classic Bomber Jacket" As often happens with military clothing, the bomber jacket quickly moved from the air base into everyday menswear. Regular people started buying them from military surplus stores, and celebrities like James Dean, Pharrell, Marilyn Monroe, and Billie Eilish wore bomber jackets in movies and at major public events.

But the reason for its success isn’t only its usefulness. The bomber jacket is like a sartorial alley-oop that improves the shape of the body. It makes the shoulders look broader, the legs look longer, and even highlights the backside a bit (as long as you’re wearing the right pants to complete the look). The cropped silhouette fits naturally with the body’s proportions, showing that the “menswear golden ratio” really does exist.

Leather versions such as the A-1, A-2, and G-2 feel tough and durable, yet they’re still easier to wear than a moto jacket. Nylon styles like the CWU 45/P and the MA-1 are lighter everyday bombers that are even more practical, especially because they usually cost less. Some bomber jackets are reversible, while others come with detachable collars or hoods. No matter the style, every bomber jacket shares the same core design and has a natural ability to make the person wearing it look just a little bit cooler.

How To Style a Bomber Jacket?

From a style perspective, the bomber jacket fits perfectly with both Ivy style and workwear looks. Pair it with an Oxford shirt, chinos, and loafers, and you’ll get a look straight out of Popeye magazine. And who can forget the wave of guys after Top Gun, wearing faded jeans, white T-shirts, and aviator sunglasses with their bombers? Even though the bomber jacket started in the military and carries a rugged feel, designers have proven that this strong energy can be reshaped and used in many different styles. Just look at the difference between Hedi Slimane’s Saint Laurent and Demna’s Balenciaga, both of which made the bomber jacket a key part of their designs. The bomber jacket has become a creative platform for designers and almost an art form of its own. Designers from The Leather Jacket Company are known for constantly reinventing the bomber jackets.

Whenever I struggle to decide what to wear, I usually reach for my vintage A-1 jacket. Sometimes I wear it with outfits I’ve worn a hundred times, and other times I try it with completely new combinations. The silhouettes and proportions of the outfit might be very different. The colors might range from simple and muted to bright and colorful. Still, the bomber jacket seems to match everything and often makes the whole outfit look even better.

It’s hard to imagine a better jacket than a bomber. Every jacket has its purpose, including the trench coat. But none feel as well-made, as versatile, or as stylish. From high street fashion to streetwear, from avant-garde designers to regular mall brands, the bomber jacket has reached a rare level in fashion. It has moved beyond being just a menswear icon and has become an essential piece of clothing. For anyone who cares even a little about fashion, get yourself a bomber jacket. And to the Unicode Consortium, I’ll be waiting for the next emoji update.