The Bomber Edit

The journey of the bomber jacket starts in the 1920s, when it was crafted as functional outerwear to keep pilots warm in open-air cockpits. As the years passed, aerial technologies advanced, reaching extreme heights and lower temperatures, which required warmer materials. Leather exteriors, fur lining and collars, and other insulating elements were added to the bomber. And the innovation continued to grow.

In the '40s, wool-knit cuffs and collars were introduced to improve the jacket's durability, followed by outer shells made of nylon or cotton-rayon blends to protect from extreme weather conditions. Originally made in midnight blue, the jacket eventually transformed into olive green. The bright orange lining, now a well-known element of the bomber, was created for purely practical reasons. If the plane crashed, pilots could reverse their jacket, increasing their visibility for rescue teams. With utility at its core, the bomber jacket continues to provide the perfect fusion of comfort and function.

Slowly but surely, bomber jackets escaped their purely utilitarian function and, like many military styles, entered contemporary fashion. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, the jacket was adopted by subcultures in Great Britain, such as mods and skinheads. Meanwhile, in the U.S., queer communities embraced the jacket to reject the hyper-masculinity typically associated with it.

Similar to denim, the popularization of bombers was catalyzed by pop culture features, such as Rebel Without a Cause and Top Gun, where James Dean and Tom Cruise famously wore this style. By the ‘80s and ‘90s, military-inspired attire was at the core of streetwear. Hip-hop artists like Tupac and Run-D.M.C. would often sport bombers paired with heavy boots and camo pants. Beyond the surfaces and aesthetics, this jacket embodied the toughness and ruggedness that many urban youths associated with. Turning from outerwear to everyday armor.

From army uniforms and youth subcultures to modern civilian wardrobes, the bomber jacket has lived many lives. Proving that its appeal transcends cultures and generations. And this season, we took the bomber and its iconic design, infusing it with a contemporary twist that stays true to our roots. Our new collection ranges from classic bombers to varsity-inspired styles, with some made in our signature denim textures. With practicality at the top of our minds, we've incorporated innovations via printed, quilted, padded, and oversized versions. Fusing aesthetics and function.