Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Bomber Jackets

Introduction

The bomber jacket is just one of many menswear pieces whose heritage is cemented within the armed forces. Similar to the pea, trench and parka coats, the bomber has a timeless appeal that transcends years, styles and trends; born out of military means and adapted to form part of popular culture.

This timeless quality makes the bomber well worth investing in if you have a penchant for classic, enduring personal style – as so many FashionBeans readers do.

Traditionally identified by its waist length, knitted waistband/cuffs and front zip closure the bomber has been reinvented and reinvigorated in various forms. From the orange lined MA-1 to the tartan lined Harrington, the basic bomber silhouette has played part in a number of classic takes that have gone down in menswear history and continue to be worn today.

The bomber’s continued popularity is not surprising, with prominent style icons both old and new having been pictured in one at some point in time. Whether it’s the inimitable Messrs Steve McQueen and James Dean, or the new kid on the block Ryan Gosling (who could forget that gold scorpion motif bomber in ‘Drive‘?), the jacket can certainly be counted among menswear royalty.

SS13 Bomber Jacket Trend

This year’s most popular iteration is almost a baseball-bomber hybrid. The jacket has retained the aforementioned characteristics of a classic bomber but a round collar is widely used in place of, say, a Harrington version that could be popped or a shearling one akin to those seen on aviator silhouettes.

The round collar, of course, is nothing ground-breaking. The classic MA-1 made use of a round collar, but the slimmed down shape and louche tailored feel echoes the sports luxe influences that have dominated menswear over the past year.

Print has also played a big part in updating the jacket’s aesthetic. Love it or loath it, camouflage has been a firm favourite of designers when it comes to decorating the piece – paying homage to its military heritage. Paisley has also been prevalent among retailers, which adds a decadent edge that belies the jacket’s militaristic roots:

Men’s Fashion Basics – Part 90 – The Next 5 Steps

The Next Five Steps

So let’s assume you read my article a few months ago on the top 5 rookie mistakes guys make when dressing themselves, be it work or play. After going through it and realising that it was pretty much describing your current personal style, you decided to make a change. You started wearing the right size suit, tucking in your dress shirt on nights out and threw away that mad collection of square-toed shoes (because your feet are NOT square my friend).

But where do you go from here? It’s easy to learn from your mistakes – because a lot of the time they’re easy to pinpoint and simple to correct – but progression is difficult. Let’s face it, now that you’ve fixed the most glaring and/or offensive faux pas, there’s something comforting in continuing what you were doing and playing it safe.

However, the reality is that taking the next step isn’t as hard or daunting as it may initially seem. If you follow the five simple rules below then you will be well on your way to a more fashionable and stylish you.

1. Fit Is King

I don’t just mean your suits. This is rule No. 1 of style – all day, every day.

Men’s style comes down to creating clean lines and strong silhouettes, and these are impossible to achieve if you are swamped in excess material. Always try on clothes before you buy them to make sure they fit you properly and think hard about the purchase if they don’t.

Find yourself a decent tailor and things get even easier. With just a few nips and tucks, a tailor can make even the most basic of pieces look like they were made for your body. Along with getting the fit right in the shop, these guys are the missing link between making an inexpensive item appear very expensive.

2. Branch Out From Denim

There’s a whole new world out there away from your trusty pair of 501s. GQ USA recently did a fantastic run down of what else is available in regards to the trouser department, and I couldn’t agree with it more.

A pair of neutral chinos or some grey wool trousers work just as well with all the pieces you normally wear with your jeans but provide variation, style and a point of difference when thrown together.

3. Beware Of Trends

This is one you should be very careful with because trends are everywhere these days in all shapes and sizes. When you’re first starting out on your sartorial adventure, I’d suggest staying away from them all together and focusing on simple, classic and versatile pieces.

A truly stylish man keeps up with trends but doesn’t follow them blindly – and although you should be willing to break style rules, be clever about what risks you take and consider factors such as your job, personality and body shape before diving head first into them.

When you are ready, why not read up on some of the easiest key trends to incorporate into your current looks:

• Men’s Printed Shirts
• The Camouflage Trend
• Coloured Tailoring (Separates Section)
• Tailored Shorts Paired With Blazers
• Sports Luxe Trend

4. Embrace ‘Feminine’ Colours

Pink is not just for girls! And come to think of it, neither is lavender, coral or peach. They all work really well with the staple colours you already own, like navy and grey, and can add a seriously masculine, confident edge to your appearance.

Whether it’s a shirt, knit or trouser it’s time to get involved.

5. Don’t Believe The Hype

I.e. do not be a sucker for brand names. The amount of guys who assume that because they have Gucci or D&G on their clothing they’re now fashionable is almost criminal.

Before you decide to purchase an item, be honest with yourself and ask if you’re buying it because of the brand or because you love the quality and style? Good fit and quality construction/design can be found at all price ranges if you’re willing to put in the effort.

Final Word

Now I appreciate these are extremely general beginner steps for those of you just setting out in your sartorial adventure. If you’re looking for more information in regards to specific items of clothing, then I suggest you start typing them into our search bar and reading up.

There are also probably plenty of you out there who were already nailing all of these steps anyway. But it’s always nice to have a little refresher and help out the new guys, right?

As always, FashionBeans is about sharing knowledge – so why not leave a comment and let us know what you think? Did any of these steps help you at all? What advice would you give to someone looking to become a more stylish version of themselves?