Heads Up: This Is the Jacket Style Loved by Millennials and Gen Z Alike This Season

If there's one thing I love about this time of year, it's finally being able to bring my outerwear to the front of my wardrobe.

Every October, there's this moment when you realise that coats and jackets are no longer just an option for the evening chill but a full-time necessity, and for me, that signals the official start of the winter season. I've always had a soft spot for a beautifully cut coat or a statement jacket that feels like it could anchor an entire outfit on its own, but there's one style in particular that has shifted from being a nice addition to a genuine wardrobe essential: the bomber jacket.

This season, I've been particularly drawn to styling bomber-jacket outfits, not only because they're practical and warm, but also because they add a slightly cooler, more casual edge to more elevated pieces in my wardrobe. When I was younger, I avoided bombers. I thought of them as overly bulky, something that leaned too heavily into a sporty or utilitarian space. They felt too oversized and casual, and I couldn't see how they would ever work within my own more classic day-to-day style.

But that perspective started to shift once I started working in fashion. Watching editors, stylists and influencers integrate them into looks in ways that felt elevated—paired with miniskirts, layered over floaty dresses or reimagined in supple suede—completely changed my approach. Now, bomber-jacket outfits have become my go-to for giving a casual-cool edge. What I also love is that they hold the rare power of being both nostalgic (the silhouette is undeniably '80s, after all) and freshly relevant.

What has surprised me most is just how adaptable bomber jackets have become. The style no longer feels confined to one silhouette or subculture; it can look sleek and refined in leather, sporty and relaxed in nylon or elegant in suede. This flexibility is probably why I've seen them everywhere recently; on friends heading into the office, on street-style regulars during fashion month and even styled more simply with jeans and trainers on the weekend. That variety has made me rethink how I use mine, and it's why I’m convinced that this jacket is one of the smartest investments you can make this season.

Of course, designers have had their say on the bomber too, showing how the shape can be pushed further for autumn/winter 2025. I particularly loved how some brands played with proportion, like through cropped versions styled with skirts or oversized iterations layered over tailoring, but what excites me most is how easily these references translate into day-to-day life. The bomber doesn't need a runway to shine; it works just as well on the street, layered into outfits that feel wearable and considered.

And that's exactly what I've rounded up below: five bomber-jacket outfits that show just how versatile this style really is.

5 Chic Bomber Jacket Outfits

1. Bomber Jacket + Mini Shorts + Scarf + Boots

Style Notes: This is the look that convinced me that bombers could be playful as well as practical. The oversized jacket balances the proportions of shorter hemlines, whilst the knee-high boots bring the outfit into the autumnal mood, making it feel pulled together rather than too bare. Think of it as the cooler-weather answer to the endless shorts-and-shirt combinations we saw all summer. I love the addition of the '60s-era headscarf paired with the cap.

Shop the Look:

2. Oversized Bomber Jacket + White Tee + Straight-Leg Jeans + Trainers

Style Notes: Probably the most classic bomber look of them all, this outfit leans into simplicity. A simple white tee and jeans provide a clean base, and the bomber jacket adds structure. Trainers keep it casual, but you could just as easily swap them for loafers or boots to give it a more elevated spin.

Shop the Look:

3. Suede Bomber Jacket + Barrel-Leg Jeans + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Suede softens the bomber's utilitarian roots and makes it feel instantly more refined. Paired with barrel-leg jeans (such an easy go-to silhouette) and ballet flats, this is the kind of outfit I'd wear for a day in the office or for low-key activities at the weekend.

Shop the Look:

4. Leather Bomber Jacket + Knit + Miniskirt + Chunky Boots

Style Notes: This look owes a lot to Miu Miu's runway styling, where bombers were cropped and paired with skirts that hit mid-thigh. Liv Madeline opts for a longer style for her look (pictured above) with a knit underneath, which adds warmth and contrast, whilst chunky boots anchor the outfit. It's equal parts cute, preppy and cool.

Shop the Look:

5. Brown Bomber Jacket + Houndstooth Skirt + Tights + Flats

Style Notes: Brown feels fresh this autumn, especially in outerwear. A bomber in this hue worn with houndstooth lends a subtle nod to heritage styling without feeling dated. The tights and flats pairing makes it wearable for everyday, from commutes to dinner plans.

Shop the Look: