Bomber Jacket Style Blog

What exactly makes a bomber jacket though? Traditionally it is a waist-length outerwear garment, which is finished off with gathered cuffs and hemline into ribbed elasticated cuffs and waistband. It usually will have a zip fastening at the front of the jacket, and quite often features font pockets. It is generally considered a gender neutral garment, with no limitations on age either. You may know the staple jacket as it became part of pop culture in films such as Top Gun and The Great Escape.

The first bomber jackets were made to be functional and practical for military use, keeping pilots warm in open-air planes. They initially featured a very lightweight cotton body and were made with a cotton based fur collar for warmth, but this was later changed to a nylon collar after the Second World War when nylon was no long needed for use in parachutes.

The style developed as needs changed across the years. Due to the high altitudes and speeds of aircraft in the early 20^th century, the Royal Flying Corps in Belgium and France adjusted the design of the classic bomber jacket, and used leather as it was considered the heaviest and strongest fabric, and so was thought to withstand constant use.

The bomber jacket was first seen in a midnight blue colour, before being altered and produced in a deep khaki green to allow soldiers to camouflage themselves better in the Korean and Vietnam wars in the 1960s. Even the colour of the lining has had an upgrade over the years! The now instantly recognisable bright orange lining was introduced, again for purely practical and safety reasons. The bold colour was designed to allow downed fighter pilots to use their jackets for visibility and alerting rescues teams to their whereabouts.

The standard silhouette hasn’t changed much over the years - still generally consisting of a fitted waist with a loose fit body and sleeves, although designers such as Raf Simons have played with this, experimenting with longer versions in past collections.

Bomber jackets increased in popularity for the non-military public when punks and skinheads in England began wearing versions of the jacket with style and colour modifications to stand out. Now, you can find every colour, style and fabric in a bomber jacket as they have risen the ranks to ‘wardrobe must have’, with some variations looking completely unrecognisable as once-military garments!

At ScotlandShop, we couldn’t miss out on the classic jacket, and so we have designed our own version – in tartan of course! We have kept to the classic style with a loose fit body and sleeves, with the customary ribbed elasticated cuffs and waistband. Our lightweight wool body and sleeves will keep you warm throughout the seasons, and with over 500 tartan options, you can create a truly unique style!

You may already have your dream tartan bomber jacket picked out, but if you’re as indecisive as I am, here are my styling tips to help you narrow down your choices!

Thread stylist Millie Rich explains how your bomber should fit;

"The bomber is really easy to wear well as long as you stick to a clean, minimal shape; lots of zips and snaps can look retro or costumey. Go for a nonshiny fabric like wool or cotton…If the bottom of the jacket hits your hip-bone, it's the perfect length: any longer or shorter and the jacket isn't as flattering. Wear a bomber with classic casual clothes like shirts, t-shirts, jeans, chinos and leather shoes and you've got a foolproof casual look."

Now that you have the perfect fit, which colour, which tartan and which variation should you choose? If you love the traditional styles, but want a modern take, go for dark greens or olive tones. I suggest looking at hunting tartans for a subtle look that is sure to add a gentle pop of colour to a neutral wardrobe. TheTrendSpotter.net says about olive coloured bomber jackets;

“The unique colour works well with the military aesthetic of the jacket and is ideal for achieving a stylish casual outfit. Working as an accent item that can complement the rest of your look, an olive bomber pairs best with basic pants, such as chinos or jeans. It also tends to appear the most flattering when worn with neutral colours or other earthy shades.”

My top tartans for this look are Black Watch Weathered.

I personally prefer something bolder and brighter with lots of colour, so if you want a real statement piece, look at Modern tartan variations such as Anderson Modern. These options make a simple outfit really stand out with little effort, and can be easily paired with jeans and a white t-shirt, or even a simple summer dress. Try matching one of the colours in the tartan with an accessory such as a bag or jewellery to tie the whole look together.