How to Wear a Leather Bomber Jacket Like a Parisian

As you may have guessed from the name, a bomber-style jacket is one that mimics those worn by air force pilots in the ‘40s. The once very practical military issue clothing made its way into the fashion zeitgeist as part of the punk aesthetic in the ‘70s. But the silhouette hasn’t really changed much since the original issues. The bomber jacket generally has a voluminous body and arms contrasted by a fitted hem and cuffs, often a stretchy ribbed material, but not always. As for the collar, the originals often had faux-fur linings to protect from wind and cold, but modern versions can vary with some featuring a classic stand collar and others branching out with a Peter pan or polo collar.

4 Ways to Wear a Leather Bomber Jacket Like a Parisian

I love a good “opposites attract” aesthetic and so do the French. They’re phenomenal at finding ways to get more use out of their favorite wardrobe pieces. So, while you may think a punk-inspired leather bomber jacket could only really go with other punk-esque pieces (leather pants, distressed denim, etc.), a surpassingly cool alternative is a pair of office-ready trousers. Keep your accessories streamlined and polished as well to transform a tough leather topper into something much more posh.

A leather jacket with jeans is a simple outfit formula I love—the leather helps to elevate the denim, while the denim makes the leather feel more casual or approachable—but when it comes to a bomber style, I highly recommend reaching for wide-leg jeans over a skinnier silhouette. The reason is all about balance. Pairing a voluminous jacket (even one that cinches in at the waist) with a slim-fitting leg can throw your proportions out of whack. But a wide-leg silhouette creates a much better balance, showing off your waist in a way that’s comfortable and flattering.

If you’re not much of a pants gal, you can achieve the same chic balancing act with an A-line skirt. Look for something that hits somewhere between just below the knee and mid-calf. This is the sweet spot for adding volume without totally overwhelming your figure, especially for petites.

Perhaps my favorite styling hack of all time is “when in doubt, try a monochrome outfit.” If you’re struggling to figure out what to pair with your leather bomber jacket, do as the French do and layer it over a skirt, dress or trousers in a coordinating hue. Keep your accessories within the same color family as well, and the end result will be a super-simple yet elegant ‘fit you can return to time and time again.