Revisiting the Classics: Paul on the Bomber Jacket

However, those ‘optimal’ items – great though they may be – are not for everyday wear. They are highly specific, by their very nature, and so spend a lot of time hanging around waiting for their moment to shine. Important to have, but not what we’re talking about in this series. For ‘Revisiting the Classics,’ we are instead focusing on those items that any good wardrobe is built around: the ultra-versatile workhorse items that keep us looking good year-in, year-out. Things that can be worn across seasons, and styled in a dozen different ways. Last week we looked at the merino roll neck jumper – a classic if ever there was one – and this time we turn our attention to the timeless bomber jacket.

Since it began to be repurposed for civilian wear around the middle of last century, the bomber jacket has been a style staple for people across the sartorial spectrum. It’s understated, cleverly designed, flattering – exactly what you want from an item like this. For our version, we stayed pretty true to the original design, just neatening up the fit slightly and adding nice details like a two-way zip, and hidden Signature Stripe accents. Where the ‘twist’ comes in is with our choice of fabric. Instead of the more typical nylon satin – a fabric with a charming appearance, but one which is well and truly on the casual end of things – we opted for an exquisite Italian wool.

The wool is essentially a tailoring fabric which elevates the bomber jacket design, allowing it to be dressed up as well as down. Despite its sophisticated feel, the fabric is highly practical, too, having been treated with a special coating, making it wind and waterproof. Talk about useful. The resulting item is something which has the utility of classic militaria, but with a modern, metropolitan feel. It’s a personal favourite of Paul’s, and here he shows off its downplayed stylishness and utmost wearability.