Men's Bomber Jackets

The story of the bomber jacket, a legend

From uniform piece to fashion statement, the men's bomber jacket has reigned for nearly a century as a legend of masculinity. A symbol of adventure, the mythical bomber jacket was born in the cockpits of American fighter planes in the 20th century. Today, this historic leather jacket is a staple when it comes to men's wardrobes.

The bomber jacket and its military genesis

The rise of aviation required the creation of a garment designed to protect against the elements: wind, rain, and cold that pilots might face inside and outside their cockpits. This is how the first bomber jacket was born in the USA in 1927, designed to withstand these elements and also the test of time. It was made of leather and sheepskin to keep the pilot warm in their unheated cockpit.
This jacket had button closures, a cotton lining, a sheepskin shirt collar, and knitted waist and cuffs. The collar also closed with buttons.

The bomber jacket through the ages

As aviation needs and technologies evolved, the pilot jacket changed. It was from the 1940s onwards that synthetic materials such as cotton or nylon gradually replaced leather models.

These materials were easier to find, and pilots' comfort needs evolved, leading to the creation of new aviator models in synthetic materials.
The B-10 was the first non-leather model, and the sheepskin collar was replaced by a wool collar because it interfered with the parachute harness. This jacket was quickly adopted by pilots for its flexibility, which they needed, especially in the narrow cockpit of their planes, but also for its frost resistance. This evolution is better known as the "bomber."

A mythical garment

Like the men's perfecto, the bomber jacket transcends its primary functions (primarily protection) to become an iconic piece through its adoption by various movements over the years.

Its nylon version (bomber) resonated with protest movements: skinheads in England, young people identifying with this new trend adopted the jacket; its simplicity and inconsistency attracted them, and they paired it with skinny jeans and high-top Dr. Martens.

As we know so well, fashion draws inspiration from the street, and designers quickly became interested in this trend. In the late 70s, the bomber took a new turn, shedding its image as the official skinhead jacket.

Then Hollywood embraced it with Steve McQueen in the 1980 film "The Hunter."
A success in the world of cinema, confirmed by the talented Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun and his famous bomber jacket. This film also illustrates a common practice in the 1920s: American aviation pilots personalized their leather jackets with emblems and patches.

It was during its years of celebrity that the MA-1 took on a new dimension, appearing in fashion magazines and seeing new cultural horizons emerge, such as hip-hop. Comfortable, baggy outfits were paired with this bomber model.

Key bomber jacket models throughout history

A2
The successor to the A-1 jacket (1927) was adopted by the American army in 1931, recognizable by its many particular characteristics. This model, available only in brown, featured: two flap pockets on the front for keeping hands warm, a shirt collar, leather epaulets, elasticated cuffs and waist, a silk or cotton lining, a leather strip sewn inside for hanging, and a military identification plate of the soldier sewn underneath.

B-15
For comfort as well as cost reasons, the B-15 was the first synthetic bomber jacket with brand new features. Notably, a "pen" pocket on the arm, diagonal zippered pockets, and a slot for attaching an oxygen mask.

MA-1
Its outer shell and lining were made of high-quality nylon, with a layer of wool between these layers to maintain warmth. Some time later, this wool layer was replaced by polyester, a lighter material that retained heat better.
The sheepskin collar was replaced by a knitted collar, and the lining became orange, a more visible color in case of a crash.

How to wear a bomber jacket with style?

For a classic chic style, depending on the color of your bomber jacket, pair it with a shirt, chinos, and a pair of...

For a basic look, faded jeans, a t-shirt (or sweater depending on the season), and a pair of low-top sneakers.