Help me save the bomber - YouLookFab Forum

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Help me save the bomber

Traci

Veteran

I love the look of bombers on other people. Ingun's wonderful looks with her black bomber inspired me to pull the trigger on this one. It is so comfy and I like the way it fits when I try it on. However, I've worn it out of the house a total of one time since I got it last spring. Every time I throw it on, another option seems better. I didn't realize I was avoiding the bomber until I used it in my capsule exercise and disliked every single outfit featuring it.

Phot one is the bomber thrown over the outfit I was wearing the day it arrived. 2 and 3 are from the capsule. Do you have any suggestions for making this work?

Eta: I swapped out pic 3 for a zipped up pic.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Mona

Veteran

The colour is gorgeous on you but I think the sleeves are too long. May be that is what making you unhappy with it.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have had clothes like that too - they look fine, but for some reason I reach for something else every time. Is there something about it that you can pinpoint that you are not quite happy with? The fit looks good in the shoulders, but the sleeves are long (but I like long sleeves). Too short/too long/pulling somewhere? Perhaps try scrunching the sleeves for more structure, or try a shirttail hemmed shirt/asymmetrical hemmed shirt.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I really like it on you! Like Karie, I prefer sleeves longer too (I sometimes have trouble getting them long enough) so I would try a scrunch. I like the outfits you posted, and the color of the jacket is wonderful.

Traci

Veteran

Thanks. I love the color too. I will try scrunching the sleeves more. I'm curious to see if I reach for it more when the weather cools, but I don't think it's been the weight of the jacket that's kept me away from it so far. I can't pinpoint what it is, but I know I don't love it.

When I look at it side by side with the blazer I used for the capsule, the blazer is just plain more flattering because of the neckline and shaping at the waist. I'm not sure if that's all there is to it. Somehow I don't think my issue with it is in the figure flattery department. I think I'm struggling with the style. Bombers look so care free and grab and go in the best possible way on others, but on myself something just doesn't strike me right.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like it on you, too, Traci - and these look like good outfits. But I think I understand your feelings a bit. I have had trouble with bombers myself in the past and that is why I have been hesitating to jump aboard with this trend, even though I like the look.

The sleeves do look too long and that would feel bunchy, I imagine -- something that tends to bug me. But can you pinpoint anything else that is bothering you about it?

Traci

Veteran

I look at these pictures and think it looks "fine". I agree that the sleeves are long, but not deal breaker long for me. However, I find that time and again at the last minute I change out of the jacket and into something else. If I'm just not going to wear it I'd rather just ditch the jacket rather than having it torture me with its beautiful color from my closet. But I just can't quite rationalize why it's not doing it for me, so I'm having a hard time tossing. In the past I've had items that I couldn't quite figure out that one day just became workhorses when the stars aligned. I can't decide if I'm just not ready for this jacket, or if there is something truly off here. Boy, this is really hard to put into words!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I understand. Sometimes it's a feeling more than how it looks, and it's not always easy to articulate. Maybe give it some more time as the seasons change.

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

I like the color of this bomber as well as the first pairing (black skirt). My reserves about bombers in general, though, make the two trousers outfits a no-go for me.

I will explain my reserves and maybe they will shed some light on why you're not loving this particular clothing item. You see, I find bombers are often too short, hitting at the waist, and with jeans and skinnies, I find the look teenagery. I prefer longer jackets (leather or pleather too! Not necessary blazers), items that hit at the hip bone, with jeans.

I also have my "ickies" with the cuffs at the waist. Cuffs on the wrist might pass as a style/winter or cold weather decision/preference. But cuffs at the waist, for me, just create this balloon effect that we seen on teens wearing super tight skinnies+bombers zippered all the way up (quite a common combo on European teens - German and Austrians at least). And that's why I take a moto or a more "formal" cut on leather/pleather jackets over bombers everytime.

Since skirts disguise curves on the hips, I can appreciate the shorter jackets/bombers when paired with skirts. And that's why outfit 1 looks good for me. I would try pairing this bomber with skirts (A liners and full skirts) and "winterize" the outfits by adding hosiery.

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

The stripe shirt from outfit 3 with the black skirt has potential to be a workhorse IMO.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wonder if it's the fit, Traci. It looks a touch small.

That said, I like the combinations here a lot.

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, I adore bombers but I think it's because they (1) hang straight down from my broad shoulders, (2) they hide my waist, and (3) they end with a band that sits nicely on my hipbones. As a thick-waisted IT, all of those aspects work in my favor to downplay my waistlessness and focus attention on the smallest part of my frame--my hip area. But I'm thinking all those points might make the style more challenging for some other shapes, especially if the person has a more delicate shoulder line or prefers the look of a more defined waist.

I love the color, though.

Nicole D

Veteran

Lovely colour, classic shape but I'm with Angie on the fit.

Traci

Veteran

I traded out the last photo for a pic of the jacket zipped up. Please ignore the wrinkled sweatshirt dress I threw on to run to the hardware store earlier. It is rare for me to find a jacket that fits in the shoulders and works all done up. Is it just too small for the casual style?

Diana

Veteran

I agree with Angie. It's not oversized enough to my eye. What it looks like is a bomber shape with a tailored fit (that you'd see on, say, a scuba jacket), which makes a stylistic disconnect that looks odd to me. I think a bomber ought to be a bit roomy in the body. Even if you never wear it zipped, it should *look* as if it would zip with a lot of room.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Diana verbalized my feelings on this particular bomber fit. A softer fabrication in a fluid fit collapses back onto the body and won't make you feel like the bomber is too oversized.

Traci

Veteran

Ahhh, I see. Thanks for helping me understand. It's so helpful to get the WHY something isn't working rather than just knowing that it doesn't work.

Anonymous

I think it is fun in outfits 1 & 2. I find I don't love bombers when they're zipped up - I really like the line when they're unzipped. But that's not always practical.

unfrumped

Veteran

In general silky bombers are much easier to style than stiff fabrics or leather.
Yet I think that's interesting because one of the iconic bomber looks is the GF wearing the BF's letter jacket, which while it could be "silky" (track suit type), were often wool or heavy knits with leather/faux leather. And usually this would be oversized on the GF. But in non-HS girls it is just a hard look to pull off.

Thistle

Veteran

Looks like you are all set, but I just wanted to chime in and say how much I love that purple color on you. Even if this jacket doesn;t work, I hope you have (or add) more of this color to your wardrobe!

Lisa

Veteran

Gorgeous color bomber here. I picked up two at NAS this year and one is very drapey/slouchy material. The other is not as drapey. I find the straight hemlines work really well with a tucked in top, belt, and boyfriend jeans.