A bomber jacket is a short, flight-influenced jacket with a defined waistband and fitted cuffs. That compact shape has outlasted its original purpose, moving from military clothing into everyday wardrobes. Materials and details have changed along the way, from functional flight jackets to wool-and-leather designs that borrow from collegiate dress.
From the cockpit to the street
Early flight jackets were built around protection and freedom of movement. As aircraft and equipment changed, so did the jackets, with different materials and closures answering different needs. “Bomber” now describes a family of related styles rather than a single pattern.
Image via Heddels.
A familiar shape, reworked
Civilian wearers, musicians and designers took the flight-jacket silhouette beyond its working origins. The short body and defined waist made it easy to build an outfit around: a layer underneath, trousers below, and a clear break between the two.
Varsity jackets bring a different history and their own recognisable details: contrast sleeves, collegiate patches and ribbed edges. Modern designs often draw from both, combining the proportions of a bomber with the character of a college jacket.
Image via collater.al.
The MAISON MENACE College Bomber
The MAISON MENACE Wool and Lambskin Leather College Bomber Jacket takes the collegiate route. A wool-blend body meets lambskin leather sleeves and trim, with two-tone ribbing at the collar, cuffs and waistband. Seven snaps close the front. An “M” patch sits on the chest, with a MAISON MENACE patch across the back.
Made and hand-finished in Italy, the jacket has a body composed of 45% wool, 45% acrylic, 8% polyamide and 2% elastane. The sleeves are 100% lambskin leather, and the lining is 100% viscose.
Wearing it
A plain T-shirt and trousers give the contrast sleeves and patches room to stand out. For a sharper combination, swap the tee for a simple shirt and choose tailored trousers. Keep the layer underneath light enough for the cuffs and waistband to sit comfortably.
Explore T-shirts and trousers and shorts to build around the jacket.
Caring for wool and lambskin
The College Bomber is dry clean only. Do not wash it with water, tumble dry or iron it. Let your cleaner know that it combines a wool-blend body with lambskin leather sleeves and trim.
Between wears, use a hanger that supports the shoulders and give the jacket space rather than compressing it in storage.
A few common questions
Are bomber and varsity jackets the same thing?
They have different origins. Bombers draw from military flight clothing; varsity jackets carry collegiate associations, often through contrast sleeves and patches. A contemporary jacket can combine elements of both.
Is the College Bomber wool or leather?
Both: a wool-blend body with lambskin leather sleeves and trim, plus a viscose lining. Find the full material breakdown on the College Bomber product page.
Can it go in the washing machine?
No. This jacket needs dry cleaning, not a wash cycle. Follow the care label when arranging cleaning.
