They are effortlessly cool, impossibly stylish, and unabashedly masculine. Of course, we are talking about leather bomber jackets. Every gentleman deserves to have one in his closet, and we are going to tell you why. But first, a small slice of history: Flight jackets were initially worn by pilots to keep them warm because the cockpits of their planes were not enclosed. And even when cockpits became enclosed; traveling at higher, colder altitudes still necessitated the usage of heavy-duty leather jackets. Now, unless you are a part of the United States Air Force, you probably won’t be embarking on any aerial missions anytime soon. Nevertheless, we’re going to show you how to look fly — even when you’re grounded.
If you are a gentleman that appreciates authenticity; ensure that your contemporary bomber jacket embodies all the classic aesthetics of the classic G1 flight jacket. And that means your jacket should be heavy leather, have a zip front, a fur-lined collar, two large front button pockets, and lots of attitude.
Schott G1 Shearling Collar Leather Bomber, $975
Nevertheless, if you are a gentleman that isn’t too intimately attached to history, an updated version of the bomber jacket in supple, rugged suede can still capture the vintage spirit, while maintaining its own modern personality. This model is perfect for the guy who loves the outdoors.
Orvis Suede Bomber Jacket, $295
The difference between a classic leather bomber jacket and your standard run-of-the-mill leather jacket lies within the fit. Your leather bomber should be slightly fitted throughout the body, nipped at the cuffs, and cropped comfortably at the waist.
Ralph Lauren Black Label Denim Waxed Leather Bomber, $2,295
OK, so we have already established how cool a bomber jacket looks. Now, it is time to look under the hood. Because, as we stated earlier, the purpose of the leather bomber was to keep the pilot warm. Therefore, a gentleman needs a down-filled, leather-lined, and fur-collared bomber to report for duty — like this crazy-stylish offering from Burberry.
Burberry Nappa Leather Down-Filled Bomber, $7,750
Without question, bombers connote the type of tough guy masculinity that lends a new meaning to the nickname “brown bomber.” Joe Louis would probably agree. So, when selecting your bomber this season, don’t go with black — that would be too cliché. Dark brown is your best bet because it ages beautifully and shows more character as it gets beat up. Like we said — tough guy masculinity!
Gant Rugger A2 Faux Shearling Collar Leather Bomber, $1,150
