Bomber Jackets for Women: Wool, Leather and Utility

A bomber jacket for women is a short jacket that ends around the hip, closes at the centre front and is usually finished with a ribbed hem, so the body blouses gently above the waist instead of hanging straight. Born as flying kit, it now sits between a knit and a coat, and ME+EM’s wider outerwear is in our ME+EM coats, jackets and blazers guide.

Three new ME+EM bombers arrive on Coveti this season. This guide explains what separates one bomber from another, compares the three new pieces fibre by fibre, gives the leather bomber its own section and closes with styling, regional notes and answers to the questions we are asked most.

What makes a bomber jacket

Length. A true bomber stops at the high hip. Anything longer starts to read as a field jacket, and the proportion changes with it.

The hem. A rib knit band at the hem draws the body in and creates the soft blouson above it. Without the band, the jacket falls straight and looks closer to a shirt jacket.

Fastening. Most bombers zip. A buttoned front gives a more tailored line, and a double-ended zip lets you open the jacket from the bottom when you sit down.

Weight. Padded nylon is the practical option for wet days, wool is the warm and textured one, and leather is the dressiest of the three.

The new ME+EM bombers

The utility bomber. The ME+EM 2-in-1 Utility Bomber Jacket in Khaki Green is a padded jacket in nylon with a satin finish that the house describes as water repellent. Its hood zips in at the neckline and comes away when the sky clears, which is where the 2-in-1 name comes from. The shell and lining are polyamide, the padding is polyester, and a knitted fabric in a polyester, wool and acrylic blend completes the build. It is a relaxed fit with a centre-front zip and two-way entry pockets, so your hands go in from the top and the side.

The herringbone bomber. The ME+EM Herringbone Bomber Jacket in Autumn Olive takes the shape into tailoring. The cloth is a British-made herringbone that includes Shetland wool, a custom fabric developed with Moon, a family-run heritage mill that started in West Yorkshire. The main and contrast fabrics are both 100% wool. ME+EM borrows from its own military jacket here: buttoned pockets, a polished collar, turn-up cuffs and a centre-front button opening, with seams placed to add structure. A contrast ribbed hem keeps the bomber outline, and the body is lined in recycled polyester.

The leather bomber jacket for women

A leather bomber is the most considered version of the shape. The leather carries the structure, so the cut can stay simple, and the surface softens and takes on a patina with wear. When you buy one, look at three things: the hand of the hide, the lining, and how the zip sits against the leather when the jacket is open.

The ME+EM Luxe Bomber Jacket in Claret Red is cut in soft Nappa leather from lamb, with a recycled polyester lining throughout. It has a double-ended zip, which the house added for custom coverage and to leave a belt on display, plus a collared neckline, functional pockets and long, voluminous sleeves that give the short body a feminine balance. ME+EM states it fits true to size, and that all its leather and shearling is a by-product of the food industry. The claret shade is a deep wine red that works as a neutral with grey, navy, camel and black.

With a leather bomber, keep the rest of the outfit matte. A fine roll neck, wool trousers and suede boots let the leather be the only shine. For a belt to show through the open zip, our braided belts guide covers the slimmer options.

Comparison matrix: the new ME+EM bomber jackets

All three are offered in UK sizes 4 to 18. Weight in grams is not published by the house for any of them.

How to wear a bomber jacket

With wide trousers. A short jacket over a full trouser gives a clean triangle. Try the herringbone bomber with the curved line in our barrel-leg trousers guide.

With a knit underneath. A slim knit keeps the blouson neat. Our edit of roll-neck jumpers for women has the right weights.

With a midi skirt and boots. The cropped length sits well above a midi hem. Finish with a tall boot from our knee-high boots styling guide.

With a scarf. On the bombers without a hood, a hooded scarf adds cover on cold days. See our hooded scarves guide.

Bomber jackets around the world

US. Bomber jacket women is searched around 18,100 times a month, rising to about 40,500 in November, and leather bomber jacket women sees around 12,100, rising to about 33,100. The padded utility bomber suits a damp East Coast autumn, while the leather version works for evenings across the country.

UK. Around 14,800 monthly searches for the women’s bomber. Showers are the norm, so the zip-in hood earns its place, and the wool herringbone layers under a coat once winter sets in.

EU. In France the shape is often called a blouson, and in Italy a giubbotto bomber. For a city winter in Paris and Milan, the wool and leather versions sit best with tailoring.

GCC. Winter evenings in Dubai, Riyadh and Doha are mild enough for a single light layer. The leather bomber works over evening separates, and the utility bomber travels well for trips to colder cities.

Frequently asked questions

What is a bomber jacket?

A short jacket that ends near the hip, usually with a ribbed hem and a centre-front fastening, so the body blouses slightly above the waist.

Is a leather bomber jacket worth it?

A well-made leather bomber is the most versatile of the three types, dressing up for evening and down with denim. The ME+EM version is soft lamb Nappa with a full lining.

How should a women’s bomber jacket fit?

The shoulders should sit at your own shoulder line and the hem should rest at the high hip. ME+EM lists the Luxe Bomber as true to size, the utility bomber as relaxed and the herringbone as tailored.

Which bomber is best for rain?

The 2-in-1 Utility Bomber, with its water-repellent satin finish, padding and zip-in hood.

Can you wear a bomber jacket to the office?

Yes. A wool bomber with buttoned pockets and a collar reads as tailoring. Wear it over a fine knit and trousers, as in our smart casual outfits guide.

What size range do the ME+EM bombers come in?

All three are offered in UK sizes 4 to 18. The ME+EM size guide explains how the label’s sizing runs.

How we measured: fabrics, linings, fastenings, fit notes, sizes and country of manufacture come from the three ME+EM product pages; we did not weigh the jackets, and nothing in the matrix is estimated. Read our editorial policy.