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: