Are bomber jackets always casual?

Chris987

I found a black bomber jacket in kind of a refined sweatshirt fabric by James Perse that fits well and looks good. This style often doesn't have a flattering fit on me but this one does. Could be an outdoor topper on fall and like a blazer in winter. I get the sense that bomber jackets are a casual item no matter what fabric or color...even the floral ones. I don't see that as bad, but wonder if you agree?

7 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Nishaa

Liz

Veteran

I'd call it "casualizing," but not necessarily casual. I have my eye on a floral, silky one, which I'd wear to work with a pencil skirt. Not jeans-and-t-shirt casual, but it would relax the pencil skirt somewhat.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yup. Always casual. But you CAN dress them up with dressier pieces.

7 years ago

binkle

Veteran

The fabric/embellishment could make it dressy - velvet, satin, sequins, gold embroidery, etc. But since a bomber isn't tailored it wouldn't quite fit for certain offices (not mine in partcular (the finance industry, even though we are "business casual").

I can visualize Liz's outfit, it would definitely work in a more creative environment!

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

What Liz said. I wear business casual but no jeans , really try not to veer too casual, but not matched suits or corporate style. I wear blazers , but HEWI's are jackets that are a notch down from a classic blazer but not too casualized in fabric and construction-.I love to look for polished utility jacket, Safari style, knit Blazers, sweater blazers. Hence got the JP knit jacket at NAS.
Bombers don't usually fit my shape, but the concept is the same. For work I would not want " dressy" per se, meaning super- shiny or sparkle, but a luxe fabric and good construction - " polished" or refined might be my descriptor-would be fab over a dress or pencil skirt and with some trousers.

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7 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Liz, Angie, binkle, and unfrumped. The discussion has helped me confirm that the basic bomber style is casual, due to it's non-tailored shape.

And thanks for helping me realize that the type of topper I really want to add for fall is something more structured/tailored/refined, although not necessarily "dressy" so for example not a classic tailored blazer. I have a few and mostly don't wear them any more. I also have denim jackets, trench coats, and one moto jacket in a black/white nubby weave. My wardrobe is pretty casual so I want something to elevate it a bit. A suede or faux suede moto jacket in a more interesting color would be an obvious choices or some kind of a blazer with a non-traditional vibe. That one you showed, unfrumped, is a color I love but double breasted jackets aren't the most flattering look on me. I'll keep that color in mind.

Thanks again!

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Chris987, that sounds great. A " vision" of what you're looking for is the way to start.
I have had a bad habit of settling for too- casual pieces because more of those are available and because my retail research is limited( by locale for in- stire, and motivation/ time for online.) i don't even wear jackets sll day, every day but I need several really sharp " complete outfits" I can depend on, and these need to stay updated and have some seasonal variations.

I almost didn't try the jacket because I didn't want the black, and yet Olive is not a main color for me, though I like it, so I thought it woukd take me down the rabbit hole. But it was so fun when it arrived, and because it can go with black and navy and burgundy and I was able to create several outfits with what I have already, I decided to build a small but fab capsule around it. I guess you could call that " settling" also, but I decided to think of it as " focusing" on some specific looks and repeat the best outfits in each capsule.

7 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Unfrumped...your story of building a capsule around that olive jacket is a good one. Maybe not "settling", maybe just an unexpected good find that worked for you! I sometimes have to remind myself that not everything in our wardrobes has to be perfect or the absolute best....some number of pretty goods is ok too...:-)

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Well, I had noticed that by using more color discipline, I got more versatikity and fewer orphans. Still , not everything goes with EVERYTHING -- Im not one who finds that all my neutrals go together, for example - and then,Ike Angies post on shirt lenghy, there are always other factors affecting what can be worn with what. So I had to move more toward, is there ONE fab outfit for this item? okay, are there 2? Now 3? And " more better" if something works with 2 different types of bottoms and some range of season.

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I have worn a taupe lace bomber lined in a blush silky fabric with a light taupe fit-n-flare dress and blush accessories to a wedding. They an be dressed up but the look is still relaxed. The outfit got lots of compliments.
Try wesring it with bold pearls.

7 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

I like the jacket unfrumped posted....
Btw, what is HEWI?

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

HEWI=Highly Elusive Wardrobe Item as I remember. HEWIs are pieces that we really need/want but just can't find.

7 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I own a beautiful silky long turquoise bomber style jacket. With some scattered sequins. I never seemed to have the right piece to go with it, even though I bought it with the very full skirt and top it came with. Many years ago.The skirt/top sold quickly on consignment even though it was old (but hardly worn). I kept the jacket (not in my closet) to remake into something else, either to wear or as part of an art project. But maybe I'll relook at it if it's in style now.

7 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

Thanks Joy...
I have a list of those...

7 years ago

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