Bomber jackets were developed by the US Army after the first world war, although the origins of the word is obscure. Protection from the cold was necessary in the open cockpits of early airplanes, and the bomber jacket was soon being manufactured in England and America.

Early flight jackets were necessary to keep out the cold, but the stylish jackets, associated with flying aces and heroes, soon became popular amongst the general populace as well.

These early jackets are also collectors items, eagerly sought after by army memorabilia fans, and can be found on auction sites, and in collectors’ shops. Many modern designs of bomber jacket include WWII flight wings on the lapels.

Modern bomber jackets gained another style badge when they became associated with the motorbike and fashion revolution of the mid fifties. Bomber jackets came to mean rebellion and danger, as much as the screen stars associated with them.

These kinds of jackets are associated with sunglasses, Harleys, and cool. While the desire for typical aviation jackets diminished, the bomber jackets kept its popularity, being linked to films such as Top Gun, and more recent movies.

Currently, bomber jackets can be either protective, for motor sports as safety equipment, or fashionable, for street wear. The former are thicker, and often has protective pieces in addition to the normal cloth of the jackets.

Fashion bomber jackets are not really suitable for protection while riding bikes, as they are generally only for street wear. As fashion jackets are mainly worn by those cultivating a rebellious persona.

A brand new jacket may not be as much of a fashion icon as an older type, as part of the traditions of bomber and leather jackets are wear marks and creases. New jackets would be more useful in sports, and older, discarded jackets, could be snatched up for street wear.