Style a bomber jacket with a plain T-shirt or fine knit, then add jeans, chinos or pleated trousers. Keep the layer underneath from bunching at the ribbed hem. Use the jacket's shape and padding to decide how much volume the rest of the outfit needs.
Choose between an unpadded and quilted bomber
The Lewisham bomber has a thin, unpadded shell, full zip and ribbed collar, cuffs and hem. It is listed in Black, Grey, Olive and Ecru. This is a useful starting point when you want a simple outer layer over a tee or knit without adding padding.
The Fulham bomber is lightly padded, with a baseball collar, tonal diamond quilting, full-length zip and ribbed cuffs and hem. Its regular fit sits at the hip. Colour options are Black, Stone and Slate Blue. Compare both within our men's jackets and choose the construction before deciding on the base layer.
Three bomber jacket outfits
1. Olive bomber, white tee and indigo jeans
Wear the Olive Lewisham with a White Essential T-shirt and Indigo Shoreditch jeans. The tee has a boxy shape and dropped shoulders, while the jeans have a mid rise and straight leg. White low-top trainers repeat the light base layer.
Try the bomber open first, then fasten it and check the T-shirt at the waistband. A dense, boxy tee can gather beneath a ribbed hem; a small tuck or a different tee length may give a cleaner result. Compare men's T-shirts if you want a closer base layer, and men's jeans for a different leg shape.
2. Black quilted bomber with an oat roll neck
Pair the Black Fulham with the Oat Marylebone roll neck and Stone Putney chinos. The Marylebone has a slim fit and fine ribbed knit; Putney has a slim, tapered leg. Pale layers soften the black jacket and leave the quilting as the main texture.
Black Court trainers can keep this combination restrained for a smart-casual setting. Check that the bomber still fastens comfortably over the roll neck. The knit's neckline should sit comfortably inside the jacket collar without forcing it outwards.
3. Slate blue bomber with charcoal pleated trousers
Try the Slate Blue Fulham with Charcoal Mortlake pleated trousers and a White Essential tee. Mortlake has a front pleat, wide straight leg and full-length finish. The shorter jacket shape makes the waist position more visible, so check the rise and tee length together.
Leave the jacket open if the tee feels bulky beneath the hem. Keep the footwear simple and assess the trouser length with the shoes on. This combination is a way to experiment with volume; it does not require changing your usual size merely to make the trousers look wider.
Check the fit over the layer you will wear
Fasten the bomber, reach forward and sit down. You should be able to move comfortably without the zip straining or the sleeves pulling sharply. A ribbed hem may sit closer than the body of the jacket; that shape is different from an overcoat falling straight past the hips.
Use each product's fit guidance rather than treating all bombers as identical. Lewisham is listed as regular fit with guidance to size up between sizes for a relaxed fit. Fulham is also regular fit, with guidance to take the larger size between sizes. Compare the size guide and your intended layers.
For more base layers, browse men's knitwear. Our guide to layering menswear for a British winter covers how the bomber might fit into a wider outfit as the weather changes.
Frequently asked questions
What should men wear under a bomber jacket?
Start with a plain T-shirt or fine knit. A roll neck can give a smarter finish. Check that the jacket fastens comfortably and that the base layer does not bunch heavily inside the ribbed hem.
Can you wear a bomber jacket with chinos?
Yes. Chinos can make a bomber outfit feel more considered than joggers. Try a black bomber with an oat knit and stone chinos, then choose shoes appropriate to the setting.
Can a bomber jacket work with wide-leg trousers?
Yes. Check the relationship between the jacket hem and the trouser waist, and keep the base layer from overwhelming that area. Try the outfit with the intended shoes before judging the trouser length.
What is the difference between the Lewisham and Fulham bombers?
Lewisham has a thin, unpadded shell with a ribbed collar, cuffs and hem. Fulham is lightly padded with diamond quilting and a baseball collar. Both have a full zip.
Should I size up in a bomber jacket?
Not automatically. Start with the product fit guidance and the layer you plan to wear underneath. Both Lewisham and Fulham provide guidance for choosing the larger size between sizes; check the size guide before deciding.
Ready to buy? Browse our full range of men's lightweight jackets, with free tracked UK delivery and 30-day returns.
