Man Up With a Shearling Jacket

There's no doubt bombers are having a moment. And when you think of bombers, you're probably thinking of the nylon and silk variety. But I'm proposing we take it a step further by spinning the clock back a few more decades. I give you, the shearling bomber jacket. During the massive bombing campaigns of WWII, the bomber aircraft of the Allies were large unpressurized beasts, with open panels to allow the firing of machine guns. The temperature regularly drifted into the negatives, and so the aircrews needed a coat they could rely on to keep them warm. Shearling jackets were the solution.

Several models were produced by the allied forces over the length of the war, though all shared the common features of rugged leather construction, warm lamb's wool lining, and large, buckle-enabled collars to keep out the freezing winds and weather. While I doubt any of us will find ourselves in an open B-17 or Lancaster bomber 10,000 feet over the Axis powers this winter, I think you'll agree that the bomber jackets of the Greatest Generation are the perfect way to add a shot of old-world dash to your wardrobe this winter. They're the kind of jackets that make any man look both tough and handsome.

Below, I've picked out three of the most iconic shearling styles from Cockpit USA, the premier maker of military-spec garments. Each has its own distinct style and will make you stand out from the crowd of standard leather jackets. They're not cheap, of course, but they are made in America by the same craftsmen that currently supply the leather jackets to our brave Navy and Marine Corps aviators, so they'll be sure to last your lifetime.