Bring on the bomber jacket
Photo: Claire Pepper
As a more relaxed alternative to my trusty blazer, I’ve been wearing the bomber jacket. A lot. And what a versatile addition to the wardrobe it’s proving. Perfect over a boiler suit. If it worked for Amelia Earhart… Of course, the flight jacket was first worn by World War 1 pilots to allow freedom of movement in freezing cold cockpits, becoming a symbol of counter-culture in the late 1950s, and again throughout the 1980s club scene. The latter being my earliest recollection, I’m thinking Yazz on the cover of Stand Up For Your Love Rights, Jeny Howorth on the cover of Elle magazine. No longer a subversive act, the bomber jacket is now a respected wardrobe essential.
The rust jacket (above) is last season’s Cos, I bought it in autumn but the bomber has been seeing more action over the last month or so. To balance the oversized outer layer (the design is quite voluminous, I opted for a size small), I tend to keep everything underneath simple and straight-up-and-down. The flight jacket and floral dress is a combo that Lucinda Chambers favours – and one I’ll be trying just as soon as it’s warm enough to get my legs out. With a lifelong fondness for utilitarian garb and functional fashion, it’s no wonder that I’ve come to embrace the bomber.
This photo is from my collaboration with Seasalt last summer
The basic blueprint of a bomber is a front zipper fastening, knitted cuffs and hemline. Though many websites don’t seem to understand that and show an array of random jackets, from varsity-style to tracksuit top. Ne’er mind. When you know, you know. Although there are numerous printed designs around, my preference is for plain, hard-wearing cotton twill, or a recycled polyester outer. If you’re looking for the classic khaki green bomber M&S has a lovely, lightweight version. Mango has an oversized black version and I’m into this pale pink one from All Saints. For fab retro styling check out Levi’s ‘Elise Bomber’ with its faux fur collar. Nice. (Or is it a blouson?)
Here’s a bunch of brilliant bombers:
STYLE NOTES
First outfit: my bomber jacket is from Cos. Jumpsuit, Spry Workwear. Spotty scarf from Universal Works (a couple of years ago), similar styles are still available HERE. My trainers are New Balance, this colourway is available in a few sizes HERE and there are other lovely combinations HERE. Pearl earrings, loaned from Completed Works for the shoot, and returned.
Second outfit is Seasalt from a previous collaboration.
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Discussion (21 Comments)
Ballet flats are never a good idea! (We’ll have to agree to disagree about the bomber)
Oh I just mean in terms of supporting your feet and walking any distance. I spoke to a podiatrist about this for a feature once and she said that while they look lovely, ballet flats should only be worn for short spells.
Bronwen says:
Agree, not much support, but I do love my Gabor pumps for social occasions.
Love your colour combinations.Thank you.
Look forward to Sat.Telegraph.
Angie says:
Funny how some styles, colours or textures are a definite never EVER for us. My continuing yuk to baby pink continues (probably since the age of two) and that awful Germolene (remember?) pink is everywhere, walls, furniture, clothing. I’ve never seen anyone look good in it! Fuchsia pink I’m fine with though
I do love a good bomber jacket Alison, good choice. Your colour combo’s are always a treat
If I ever what to see what colours are a bad idea I look in M&S, how can they get it so wrong EVERY Time? But you are able to micro-pick for us, Alison, so thanks for thatLesley Somerville says:
Your comment re M&S made me laugh – so true. Although there are some gems among the pastel lavender T-shirts and peach cardis.
Mrs Tonia says:
Good to see you Alyson wearing these smart casual outfits. The size of the rust one works better than the ochre one.
This is a style I feel for those with less bust and hip. I wore them in my student days but wouldn’t chose now. I’m going to stick with longer length olive parka type jackets, of which I have several variants.Thanks Mrs Tonia – agree about the rust jacket but I also wanted to show a neater version in cotton for readers who don’t want to go too voluminous.
Martine Large says:
Thanks for this. It made me rummage around in the wardrobe for a mustard (English rather than Dijon) cotton bomber jacket that I bought in a men’s clothing shop in Brighton over 30 years ago.
Sara says:
Grrr! This post just goes to show that we do need the stylist’s eye. Alyson, you look great in the Cos jacket which I must have flicked past soo many times last year in my desperate search for any Cos item that matched the several treasured ones from years back. I found nothing but this goes to show not only that I obviously lack the ability to see what’s there but that you have it in spades! I hardly got to the end of the post before I was searching Cos’s website, in vain, I fear. I couldn’t see anything similar, but you might have even more ideas than those you’ve put together on this post?
P.S, I love Angie’s comment re M and S, how very true!
I’ m off to search for an oversized bomber jacket.Margaret Fiddes says:
I love the bomber jacket and boilersuit ensemble !! Where is the spotted scarf from ?? It’s finishes the outfit perfectly .
I have a black satin bomber which I love and this has inspired me to add to my wardrobe !!! A welcome addition !!!Thanks Margaret, the scarf is from the menswear label Universal Works – but I bought it a few years ago. There are still spotted scarves in the collection, just not the exact same one https://universalworks.co.uk/collections/accessories?_=pf&pf_t_product_type=type%3Ascarf
Elaine Inglis says:
I love your colour combination of rust with navy. A bomber jacket isn’t for me but I have just purchased an upcycled tweed jacket in rusty tones and intend to pair it with navy or indigo.
Yvonne says:
Alison, you look great in both pictures but my favorite is the summer one. That bomber jacket is more my style and color as I am petite but YOU look great in both. LOVE the sneakers. Would you tell us more about them? Maybe I miss that post. Thank you so much for sharing. Always a joy to read your posts.
Hi Yvonne, thank you. The sneakers are from New Balance, I bought them last year but this style is still available in different colourways. I’ve just added captions for all the clothes at the end of the post with links straight through. And can highly recommend the trainers, I wear them all the time – they’re super-comfy!
With regards the comments about M and S and their colours, I did see some garments recently there I might wear. There have been big advertising promotions recently including a short sleeved cotton pullover. A good shade of orange which would look good with denim and navy. Also I quite like lilac. I wore it long ago and am wearing it again. Much more flattering than various shades of pink. It looks good with grey hair and pink lipstick shades. I’ve picked up inexpensive hoodies which are a refreshing spring look I feel. Last year it was a new trend. Now it features on the racks at M and S and elsewhere.
Julie Hudson says:
I bought the wide leg trousers that are advertised with the orange cotton pullover. The top will be a little warm for me, I’ve ordered a T-shirt in the same orange from Jigsaw.
Karen 
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Ugh. Can’t stand them. Though you rock the jacket with the boiler suit and look effortlessly chic, as usual. Don’t know why they make me shudder so, but they’re just below ballet flats on the Never Ever list.