How To Wear A Bomber Jacket [10 Picture Ideas For Men And Women]

Are you tired of sacrificing fashion for warmth in the winter months? Bomber jackets are the perfect solution. An effortlessly cool bomber jacket will keep you bundled up while enhancing your personal style rather than hiding it – plus, they're unisex! A bomber jacket is the chameleon of the jacket world, so long as you know how to style it.

The best thing about bomber jackets is their versatility. You can find one to complement outfits ranging from formal to casual and everything in between depending on the cut, material, and color of the coat. Throw a bomber jacket on over any of these style ideas next time you're headed out the door:

• Formal attire
• T-shirt and jeans
• Cozy knits
• Sporty clothes
• All black attire

We know it can be difficult to incorporate outerwear into your wardrobe without compromising style. Lucky for you, we've done the research and found some fashionable bomber jackets that will look right at home in anybody's closet. Keep reading to see our best picks and how we think you should style them.

What Materials Do Bomber Jackets Come In?

Bomber jackets come in an array of materials, but the most common are leather, suede, polyester, and wool. Different materials will offer varying levels of warmth – so make sure to take that into account before hitting the shops. Leather and suede, for instance, are best for moderately chilly days, while wool can handle colder weather. Lightweight polyester, on the other hand, is water-resistant but not very warm.

Worried about the cold? Read our in-depth article "Are Bomber Jackets Warm Enough For Winter?"

With that out of the way, let's delve into what styles of bomber jackets are best suited for certain occasions.

Bomber Jacket Style Ideas

Formal Attire

Bomber jackets are not just for casual days. You can pair a well-fitting bomber jacket with your fancy clothes for a cool edge on your next dinner date or at a company party. Suede or leather are good options here because they provide an elevated, soft finish. Polyester, on the other hand, can sometimes look more relaxed, so it may not be the way to go in this particular instance.

For Men

A leather bomber jacket in a rustic brown looks great paired with your favorite tailored suit pants and button-up shirt (the tie is optional). Bold colors may be best left at home. Neutrals such as the gray accents pictured above lend to a sophisticated ensemble fit for the office.

Check out this vintage Levi's bomber jacket on Amazon.

For Women

Despite what you may have thought, bomber jackets actually look great over dresses. A midi dress will work best in a formal situation. A hem that hits at the knee is conservative enough to pass as formal while still being totally in-style right now. A slightly cropped jacket that falls just above the hips will add structure to the overall look.

Casual Wear

Bomber jackets are probably best known for being laid back and cool, and that still stands. Just because a jacket looks dapper over your suit doesn't mean it can't be paired with jeans and a t-shirt the next day.

For Men

White t-shirt, blue jeans, and a bomber jacket – it's a classic combination. Dress it down with a pair of sneakers or elevate it slightly with your best pair of dress boots. Either way, a polyester jacket in a muted color (think army green or navy blue) is going to give you countless outfit combinations that will never go out of style.

For Women

A bomber jacket is the perfect accompaniment to make comfy clothes look a little more put together. Leggings, sneakers, a soft t-shirt, and a polyester bomber jacket is the perfect outfit to wear on a travel day...or a day when you're just running errands. No matter what you're up to, this outfit will look cool and effortless.

Check out this quilted women's bomber jacket on Amazon.

Cozy Knits

Nothing screams wintertime like a chunky knit sweater. Sizing up your bomber jacket to fit over bulkier clothes is a good move. A waterproof, lightweight polyester option over an infinitely warm turtleneck will offer protection in the rain or snow without the dowdy look of a rain jacket.

For Men

A cozy sweater in a neutral color like cream or beige is classically cool and will go with pretty much anything – jeans, slacks, you name it. The blank canvas this look offers will give you an opportunity to accessorize out of your comfort zone. A jewel-toned bomber jacket like the one pictured above pairs wonderfully with this wintertime attire.

Check out this deep red men's bomber jacket on Amazon.

For Women

Oversized outerwear is always a smart move, and women have the luxury of sizing up without looking frumpy. Pair an oversized bomber jacket with a fitted turtleneck and chunky boots for a fashionable streetwear look. Opting for a puffy coat in this scenario will offer more warmth while playing into the bulky trend.

Sportswear Chic

What's the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the silhouette of a bomber jacket? If you said varsity letterman, you're not alone. Often made of cozy wool, this classic high school style hits the nostalgia factor for countless people, but it doesn't have to be juvenile anymore. Keep reading to learn how to style a varsity jacket when you're well past your teenage years.

For Men

For this look, simple can be best. Let your jacket do the talking by wearing it over a plain t-shirt. A baseball cap and sneakers will add a sporty edge if that's what you're going for, but the jacket itself may be enough.

For Women

Contrast the sporty edge of your varsity bomber jacket with feminine silhouettes, like a flowy dress or skirt. It's combinations like this one that show off your personal style while breaking the mold. Think outside the box. Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles until you find one that calls to you.

Check out this Levi's varsity bomber jacket on Amazon.

Sleek All Black

When in doubt, wear black. There's no denying that an all-black outfit is timeless, so lean into your inner New York fashionista and break out your black leather bomber jacket. There's no going wrong with this sleek look.

For Men

Streetwear sites are flooded with this simple yet effective combination. Joggers, a long-sleeve, and a bomber jacket – all black of course. It's somehow both bold and understated in a way that emanates easy confidence. Pair this look with cool black Nikes or Yeezys to really show off your style.

Check out this lightweight bomber jacket on Amazon.

For Women

A fitted outfit in all black is perfect for showing off your curves. Kim K wears her black leather bomber with a bodysuit and heeled boots. Take another tip from Kim and try a pulled-back ponytail while wearing this look. The sleek hairstyle will match your overall vibe.

Should Bomber Jackets Be Zipped Or Unzipped?

This is ultimately up to you, but we suggest finding a bomber jacket that looks good whether it's zipped or not. That way you can leave it unzipped while you're inside to show off the entire outfit, but you have the option to zip-up when you head outside into the cold.

Whether or not you plan to wear your jacket zipped, make sure you have enough room to zip it up if you so choose. A bomber jacket that won't zip is simply too tight – even if you're going for a fitted silhouette, there should be enough room to move around in it.

How Should A Bomber Jacket Fit?

Speaking of fit, the jacket you choose should hit a few criteria in the fit department if it's going to fill valuable space in your wardrobe.

For Men

For men, a bomber jacket should hit right at the hips with a little room to spare, but not too much! You should be able to comfortably lift your arms without any serious tugging, but baggy isn't the way to go. A men's bomber jacket should be fitted enough that it looks sleek and presentable.

For Women

Women have a little more leeway in this department. Both fitted and loose styles will look great, depending on the rest of the ensemble. If you're looking for a cropped bomber jacket, make sure the bottom hem hits right at the top of your pants. This will create a cinched waist and will be extra flattering on people with curvier hips.

To learn more about proper fit, read our article "How Long Should A Bomber Jacket Be?"

Final Thoughts

Now we've seen how bomber jackets can accompany any style – from casual to formal and everything in between, bomber jackets are a great option for any look. Remember: natural materials tend to be warmer than polyester, and fit matters, so make sure your jacket isn't too tight. Other than that, finding your new favorite bomber jacket will be a breeze. Happy shopping!