Women's Leather Bomber Jacket Outfits: 8 Easy Looks for Fall

A leather bomber is one of the easiest jackets a woman can own: short, relaxed and warm enough for most fall days. The trick to good women's leather bomber jacket outfits is proportion, because the jacket ends at the waist and that changes what works underneath. Below are eight looks you can copy, plus color pairings, shoes and the mistakes that make a bomber look bulky.

How should a leather bomber sit on your body?

Most bombers finish at the natural waist or just below it, with a gathered or banded hem that blouses slightly above it. That short line is what makes the jacket flattering, as long as you work with it:

• Choose high-rise bottoms. A higher waistband meets the hem of the jacket and makes your legs look longer.
• Tuck, half-tuck or crop the top. A long tee or sweater hanging below the hem cuts your body in half.
• Balance the volume. A roomy bomber looks best with slimmer or cleanly cut bottoms; a fitted bomber can take wide-leg trousers.
• Wear it open or closed. Open shows the outfit and lengthens the torso; zipped up gives a sporty, neat shape.
• Get the shoulders right. The shoulder seams should sit at the edge of your shoulders, with room to layer a thin knit. Sleeves should end at the wrist bone so the cuffs do not bunch over your hands.

For more on what defines the style, from the collar to the hem, see our leather bomber jacket guide.

8 women's leather bomber jacket outfits that work

1. Weekend jeans and a white tee

High-rise straight or wide-leg jeans, a tucked white tee and clean white sneakers. It is the simplest look here and the one you will wear most. A brown bomber makes it feel warm and relaxed; black makes it sharper. Roll or crop the jeans to show a little ankle so the outfit does not look bottom-heavy.

2. Over a dress or skirt

A short bomber over a slip dress, a knit midi dress or a pleated midi skirt is a classic contrast of tough and soft. Keep the jacket open and the dress fluid so the contrast stays clear, then add ankle boots for fall or knee-high boots once it turns cold. If you want more ideas by dress length, see how to wear a leather jacket with a dress.

3. Office smart casual

Tailored high-waist trousers, a fine-gauge knit or silk blouse and loafers. A black bomber looks the most polished here. Keep the jacket clean and minimal, and take it off at your desk like any other outer layer. In more formal offices, treat it as your commute jacket rather than part of the work outfit.

4. Athleisure with an edge

Black leggings or straight joggers, a fitted crew sweatshirt and chunky sneakers. Leather lifts sportswear instantly, so this works for coffee runs and travel days without looking like you came from the gym. Keep the colors simple, such as black, gray and white, so the leather stands out.

Here are three of our women's bombers that cover every look on this list, from the sleek black lambskin to the cold-day shearling collar.

Women's Black Lambskin Leather Bomber JacketWomen's Distressed Brown Lambskin Leather Bomber JacketWomen's Distressed Brown Leather Bomber Jacket with Shearling Collar

5. Head-to-toe monochrome

Black jacket, black knit, black jeans and black boots is easy and always looks put together; mix textures such as ribbed knit, denim and smooth leather so it does not fall flat. With a brown bomber, go tonal instead: camel trousers, an oatmeal knit and brown boots.

6. Layered over a knit

A thin turtleneck or a fine crewneck sweater fits neatly under most bombers. Skip very chunky knits, which bunch at the waistband and sleeves. For a preppy version, let a shirt collar show above a crewneck. Our guide to wearing a sweater with a leather jacket covers knit weights and necklines in more detail.

7. Evening out

A black bomber over a satin camisole with tailored trousers or a sleek midi skirt, plus heeled ankle boots and simple gold jewelry. The jacket keeps the outfit from looking too formal and is easier to wear than a coat at dinner or a show.

8. Cold days with a shearling collar

When the wind picks up, a bomber with a shearling collar does the job of a scarf. Wear it zipped with a turtleneck, thick jeans or wool trousers and lug-sole boots. Keep the rest of the outfit in calm neutrals so the collar is the only texture. If you run cold, a thin thermal top under the turtleneck adds warmth without bulk.

Which colors go with a black or brown bomber?

Choosing between black and brown mostly depends on the colors already in your closet:

• Black bomber: gray, white, navy, black, cream, red and jewel tones such as emerald or cobalt. It suits cool tones and city outfits best.
• Brown bomber: cream, camel, olive, rust, blue denim and burgundy. Warm, earthy colors make a distressed brown finish look richer.

If you are torn, think about your shoes and bags. A wardrobe built on black accessories points to a black bomber, and brown leather accessories point to brown.

What shoes go with a leather bomber?

Because a bomber is casual at heart, it works with most everyday footwear:

• White leather sneakers for jeans and athleisure.
• Ankle boots, flat or heeled, for dresses, skirts and evening looks.
• Loafers for smart casual and office outfits.
• Knee-high or lug-sole boots for cold days and midi skirts.

Our full guide to shoes to wear with a leather jacket goes deeper on boot heights and colors.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• Long, untucked tops. They hang below the hem and make the outfit look shorter and wider.
• Low-rise bottoms. A gap between the jacket and your waistband breaks the line.
• Too much volume everywhere. A roomy bomber, a chunky knit and baggy pants together can swamp you.
• A big scarf on top of a shearling collar. The collar already frames your face, so a chunky scarf just adds bulk.
• Treating it like a biker. A bomber is softer and more relaxed; our bomber vs biker comparison explains when each one works better.

FAQ

Can you wear a leather bomber with a dress?

Yes. A bomber looks great over slip dresses, knit dresses and midi skirts. The short length leaves the shape of the dress visible, and ankle or knee-high boots tie the look together.

Should a women's leather bomber be fitted or oversized?

Either works, but match the rest of the outfit to it. A fitted bomber can take wide or relaxed bottoms, while a roomier one looks best with slimmer jeans, leggings or a straight skirt.

Is a black or brown leather bomber more versatile?

Black is slightly easier for evening and office outfits; brown is easier with denim and warm neutrals. Pick the one that matches the shoes and bags you already wear most.

What should I wear under a leather bomber in fall?

A tee or thin long-sleeve top in early fall, then a fine knit or turtleneck as it gets colder. Keep the layer fitted so it does not bunch at the hem. On the coldest days, a bomber with a shearling collar adds warmth around the neck.

With high-rise bottoms, a tucked top and the right shoes, women's leather bomber jacket outfits come together in minutes, from weekend jeans to dinner. Browse our women's bomber jackets to find the color and collar that suit your wardrobe.