Mays’ Fashion College The bomber jacket
The bomber jacket is your ideal piece of clothing for autumn and spring. And in winter, you simply wear it as an indoor jacket.
As far as I'm concerned, the bomber jacket is even more timeless than the denim jacket because it can easily get an elegant upgrade.
depending on the material. Nowadays, we see them in all sorts of variations, even embellished with sequins.
But did you know that this jacket has been around for more than 100 years?
The bomber jacket and the war
In 1917, the bomber jacket was invented by the US Aviation Clothing Board to keep their pilots warm during their fights. Those poor guys had open cockpits, and the bomber jacket was their ideal piece of clothing to keep them warm. There were several reasons for that. The material of the bomber jacket was lightweight, making it comfortable and allowing the pilots to move well. Furthermore, it had, still a characteristic to recognize the real bomber jacket, a knitted band at the bottom and knitted cuffs to prevent the cold wind from creeping under the fabric. Because the jacket has a short model, it accentuates the waist, creating a nice silhouette. Not that the soldiers were particularly concerned about that, I think. They had more important things to worry about than their looks, but still.
Why the bomber jacket is such a perfect in-between jacket
Thus, the bomber jacket was called in America; the perfect fall to spring jacket that keeps you warm at temperatures from 10 to -10 degrees Celsius. I also find this period perfect for wearing your bomber jacket. The autumn days can still be relatively warm, and on the in-between days, the bomber is the perfect jacket. If it gets a bit colder, you simply wear the bomber jacket indoors with a shirt underneath. Roll up the sleeves, and you have the perfect casual look.
Celebrities and the bomber jacket
There have been more clothing items that moved from the military to fashion, such as the trench coat. The bomber jacket became fashionable when James Dean wore it in Rebel Without a Cause and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire. More recently, of course, Tom Cruise in Top Gun who looked his best in his bomber. And Ryan Gossling is said to have catapulted himself to fashion icon status through his bomber jacket in Drive. I am really a bomber fan because for me it is the perfect symbiosis of a classic that is still on trend and also super comfortable.
The most beautiful bomber jackets from Pauw Amsterdam
I selected four from my favorites from Pauw Amsterdam which show that within the entire palette of bombers, there is always a variant that suits you. From flamboyant with fringes and a slightly oversized fit to a version in a matte color for the more understated among us.
Source: Michael Andrews
