Bomber and Flight Jackets: The Complete Guide

Bomber and flight jackets are short, warm jackets first made for military pilots and later taken up as everyday wear. The best-known models are the leather A-2, the sheepskin B-3, the Navy G-1 and the nylon MA-1. Sources disagree on whether "bomber" and "flight" name the same jacket, so this guide shows both views and points you to the page that answers your question.

Key takeaways- Flight jackets were made to keep pilots warm in open or unheated cockpits.- The classic military types differ mainly in material: horsehide and other leathers, sheepskin, or nylon.- Some sources treat the bomber as a flight-jacket style; others call them two different jackets.- Fit guidance also differs: waist-length in one source, on the hip in another.

Bomber vs flight jacket: same jacket or not?

There is no single answer, and the sources split. Wikipedia describes the bomber as a style that grew out of the flight jacket and calls the MA-1 both a bomber jacket and a flight jacket. Frank And Oak says the two share features but are not the same.

In fashion use, "bomber" usually means a waist-length jacket with ribbed cuffs and waistband, a front zip and a flat collar, often in nylon. For the full definitions, read what a flight jacket is and what a bomber jacket means.

Why pilots needed them

Most World War I airplanes had no enclosed cockpit, so pilots needed clothing that kept out the cold. In World War II, some heavy bombing raids flew at 25,000 ft (7,600 m) or higher, where the air could reach −58 °F (−50 °C), in uninsulated cabins.

That is the short version. The longer stories sit on separate pages: the history of the bomber jacket, the history of the flight jacket and the history of the aviator jacket.

The main types at a glance

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum holds an A-2 in seal brown horsehide with knit wool cuffs and waistband. The MA-1's start date differs by source: "the 1950s" in one, "around 1949 or 1950" in another.

Our guide to types of bomber jackets covers each model, plus fashion cuts such as varsity and souvenir jackets. If you searched for "aviator jacket," see what an aviator jacket is.

How to wear one

The bomber's shape has changed little: a fitted waist, a roomy body and full sleeves. Wikipedia describes it as a neutral item with no limits on gender, age or style.

Start with how to wear a bomber jacket for fit, layers and outfits. Then go to how to wear a men's bomber jacket or women's bomber jacket outfit ideas.

Choosing a color

Military bombers started in midnight blue and later moved to sage green. English punks and skinheads wore burgundy, and brown is a classic color for leather flight jackets. The bomber jacket colors guide helps you pick one.

Getting one made

If no stock size fits, a made-to-measure jacket is an option. Leather Collection custom leather jackets are hand-stitched to your measurements, with standard sizes from US 32 to 50 (EU 42 to 60). Flight and bomber styles are one of the listed style options.

To understand what goes into the jacket itself, see how a leather jacket is made.

Related guides

• To see how the bomber stacks up against other styles, read jacket types and key differences.

FAQ

What is the difference between a jacket and a bomber jacket?

A bomber is one kind of jacket. It is short, with ribbed cuffs and waistband and a front zip. Its roots are in military flight clothing.

What are bomber jackets called now?

Many are still sold as flight jackets, and the MA-1 goes by both names. Current U.S. military flight jackets carry CWU-45P and CWU-36P designations.

Can a 50 year old man wear a bomber jacket?

Yes. Wikipedia describes the bomber as having no limits on gender, age or style. Fit matters more than age; the how-to-wear guide above covers it.