A bomber jacket is such a fun update to a denim jacket, utility jacket or professional blazer. They’re definitely more of a cool girl look that has a bit of edge to it. I mean they were designed to be worn by soldiers in the military. Also known as flight jackets or pilot jackets.
But now, they’ve made their way into everyday fashion for both men and women. They are a great piece to add for a smart casual look and even dressier looks when you find the right one!
How To Style A Bomber Jacket
Bomber jackets evolve every few years. From how we’re styling them, to how they fit. What was once really easy to style with skinny jeans and sneakers, has definitely changed. Here are some ways to style the bomber jacket for fall as it’s a great layering piece to make your outfits feel a little more interesting and put-together.
What Is A Bomber Jacket
Most bomber jackets have a very distinct set of design elements to them. They have a crew neck style and come with pockets. But the thing that makes them unique and stand out against all other jackets are the knitted band at the bottom and around the wrist and neck. This is what give this World War II jacket its true identity.
There are so many bomber jacket options to choose from that suit any style. Whether you’re preppy, casual, edgy or classic, there is definitely a style and option available for you.
Shop some of my favorites for any style below. From denim bomber jackets, to sherpa jackets, and even textured woven bomber jackets, there is truly a style and fit for everyone.
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Different Bomber Jackets
There are several different kinds of bomber jackets to choose from. The one above in my outfit is your classic nylon bomber jacket. I’d say this is the most common that we see in addition to a leather bomber jacket.
You can also find this style in lots of different fabrics, prints and even sequins! A sequined bomber jacket is a really fun update for a going out jacket or blazer. And a faux fur one is super fun and cozy for winter!
Thanks to all the varying fabrics you can now shop bomber jackets in, you can also find ones that aren’t as puffy as the classic, or as stiff as a leather one. With softer more feminine fabrics, you can find a more slim and flattering bomber.
Are Bomber Jackets In Style?
Yes! Bomber jackets are almost always in style. It’s just a matter of the look of the jacket, and how we’re styling it. I would say pairing it with skinny jeans and sneakers like I did below, is a bit of a dated look. Think early 2010s.
A more updated look to this is pairing an oversized bomber jacket with leggings and lug sole boots, or pairing with straight leg jeans. You can definitely still wear your skinny jeans if you wish, but I’d pick a more oversized fit in the jacket instead to give it an update so it feels fresh.
A before and after from 2012 to 2022 is below. Want more Millennial swaps? Check out this post.
How Should A Bomber Jacket Fit
A bomber jacket should fit according to how you’re styling it. I don’t think there’s a perfect fit. Sure I like to make sure a shoulder seam is lined up with my shoulder. But when you’re looking for oversized ones, I think you can toss this rule!
If you’re styling a bomber jacket with leggings or biker shorts, you can go super oversized. If you’re pairing it with a dress, straight leg jeans or something that has a bit of a looser fit, you can go for a more standard fit in the bomber jacket. As always, it’s about balance and proportion.
How To Style A Bomber Jacket
There are so many ways to style and to create outfits with this fun piece. Depending on if you choose a dressy bomber, or a more casual one, you can definitely find some fun ways to wear them. Here are a few of my favorite and inspiring ways to wear this super cool jacket trend.
More Girly With A Mini Skirt or Slip Skirt
I love the juxtaposition of a girly mini skirt paired with something more masculine. Pairing a bomber with a little mini skirt, or even a floral mini dress is a fun way to dress this up. Or dress down that little dress!
You can also style a cropped bomber jacket with a long slip maxi skirt. These are trending right now and this is the perfect third piece to complete the look and balance out the ultra feminine and sexy skirt.
With Wide Leg Pants or Jeans
A bomber will be a fun piece to wear with wide leg jeans and a pretty printed top. It’s the perfect light layer to add. Plus, the more crop fit will work great with wide leg jeans. It helps to balance out proportions too. You can also keep in mind a more slim-fit bomber to balance out the rest of your outfit.
You can easily see here how an oversized fit and baggy jeans can work for a more casual look. But also Brooklyn Blonde styles hers with silver high heeled mules and it feels like what I’d wear my leather jacket with. It’s a simple swap that feels updated!
Go Bold In Bright Colors
Make a statement with your bomber jacket and try a bright bold color. I’m loving this oversized bomber jacket fit too which is a great option to make it feel more fashion forward.
This Kelly green is also a fun option and I love that it’s more of a varsity style jacket in a bomber fit. These add a really fun pop of color to an all neutral look too.
Paired With A Dress
I love a great little jacket over a dress. It’s perfect for spring or fall and really can pull an outfit together. Again, whether you want to dress up your outfit or dress it down, all depends on the bomber jacket you choose. If you’re a leather jacket kind of person (hello, so am I!) a leather bomber is a great way to mix things up here and add to a pretty dress.
With Ripped Jeans, White Jeans, ANY Jeans!
A cool street style look is to pair your bomber jacket with your favorite jeans. These can be ripped jeans, white jeans, light wash jeans, really any jean works for this. It’s a great way to add a third layer that’s cool and stylish. Just add a cool boot or bootie and graphic tee for a truly edgy look. I love to pair mine with just a simple tee and comfy sneakers as you see in today’s post!
Oversized Bomber With Straight Leg Jeans
How I’d wear a bomber jacket for 2022 and 2023 for sure. Oversized, paired with my go-to denim at the moment, straight leg jeans. And maybe a cool boot or sneaker.
The second look is much more casual in a Birkenstock Boston clog and cozy sherpa inspired bomber jacket. Both looks are a great outfit to try for fall no matter if you’re more of a high heel person, or a comfy flat.
Swap Your Utility Jacket When Wearing Leggings Or Skinny Jeans
One of my favorite jackets in my closet is my army green utility jacket. A bomber though is oftentimes found in the same color which makes it the easiest swap!
This is great with jeans and a tee with sneakers, or over a spring dress. It’s also super chic to pair with a head to toe black look and topping with your green bomber jacket. You can totally pair an oversized bomber jacket with lug sole boots and your favorite black skinny jeans.
Casual With Sneakers And A Tee
When thinking of how to style this jacket, I instantly went for super casual. But I think there are so many fun ways to wear a bomber that don’t have to feel too masculine or tomboy.
I think this is such an easy piece to make jeans and a tee feel more put together while still cool! Below are a few ways to style a bomber jacket.
A Textured Knit Bomber Jacket Instead Of A Lady Jacket
The lady jacket is a super trending piece right now for fall. These are cropped, straight boxy fit, normally colarless jackets that have big gold buttons on them. They feel very Chanel inspired and preppy. And personally, I don’t like them on me.
I think a really good alternative to the textured knit lady jacket, is a textured knit bomber jacket instead. This has the same fabric but in a cooler more edgy silhouette. It’s still a cropped fit to an extent too allowing you to wear it with all the same things that you would the lady jacket.
