The Daily Mail has premiered a fresh YouTube series titled Subway Style Files, dedicated to dissecting the most prominent fashion movements currently captivating New York City. In its inaugural episode, the spotlight falls on the leather bomber jacket, delving into its remarkable wartime beginnings that have propelled it to urban style stardom.
Military Origins in World War I
The leather bomber jacket's lineage can be traced back to 1917, when the United States entered World War I alongside the Allied forces. Following the declaration of war, the nation established the Aviation Clothing Board to equip pilots destined for European combat with essential protective attire.
This newly formed board embarked on designing a specialised jacket for bomber plane crews, who faced frigid conditions at high altitudes during missions. The original versions were tightly fitted, crafted from horsehide and lined with wool to retain warmth, a stark contrast to the oversized styles favoured today by icons like Hailey Bieber, which would have been utterly impractical in the confined cockpit spaces of that era.
Patches and Hollywood Connections
Adding to the jacket's distinctive aesthetic, pilots would embroider badges and squadron insignia onto their garments, serving as markers of rank, missions flown, and survival stories. By World War II, many of these patches were conceived by Hollywood studios, including Walt Disney and Warner Brothers.
Disney personally created over 1,200 insignia free of charge, later expressing his dedication by stating, 'I had to do it. I owed it to them.' Another practical feature, the orange lining, had military roots too; if a pilot was downed, turning the jacket inside out made them more visible to rescuers from above.
Cultural Impact and Resurgence
These jackets evolved into symbols of bravery among returning aviators, inspiring young men nationwide to emulate their heroism. When surplus military jackets began appearing in second-hand stores across the U.S., they sold out rapidly. To this day, the U.S. Navy continues to issue them to aviation personnel, and the 1986 film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise in a bomber jacket, famously spurred a surge in Navy applications.
Recently, the bomber jacket has experienced a revival in popularity. Subway Style Files host Kristen Williamson attributes this to contemporary youth's emphasis on comfort and sustainability. She explained, 'Comfort is a huge factor in why this jacket is still so popular. Today's fashion crowd values comfort as much as style.'
Williamson added, 'Outfits being wearable all day has a huge impact on what's trending. An oversized bomber is great for layering and is weather-resistant for colder months. The jacket makes any look feel intentional.' With a growing shift towards sustainable fashion, people are thrifting with an eye for quality materials and durable clothing, making retro styles like the timeless leather bomber increasingly sought-after.
To view the complete episode of Subway Style Files, audiences are encouraged to subscribe to the Daily Mail's Lifestyle YouTube channel for further insights into urban fashion trends.
