Varsity Jacket vs Bomber Jacket: Style Differences, Materials, and When to Wear

Varsity jackets and bomber jackets are generally thought of as belonging in the same category. Although both are short and easy to wear, they do not share the same history, materials, and form. This is an overview of exactly how the two pieces of outerwear jackets are different from each other. You will be introduced to the materials that go into both types of jackets, and the one that best fits your personality and the weather.

Quick Answer: The Core Difference

A varsity jacket is made up of a body material made of either wool or fleece along with leather sleeves, while the bomber jacket is made of leather in its entirety. Varsity jackets come with rib knit trim, snap-button closings, and have the look of college. On the other hand, a bomber jacket has a zipper closing at the front and ribbed cuffs and comes in a design that gives it a military appeal. While varsity jackets bring back memories, bomber jackets have an edgy and stylish look to them. Both jackets sell well at CelebsJacket, since each fills a different gap.

Where Each Jacket Comes From

The Varsity Jacket’s Collegiate Roots

The varsity jackets started being worn in American universities in the nineteenth century. The wool jackets, referred to as letterman jackets, were awarded to the athletes according to the performance of their teams. Later on, leather sleeves were included for more strength. The chenille patch was one of the defining features together with the embroidered letter. It was such that every single patch stood for a particular sport or academic success. The varsity jackets later moved from the sports world into fashion world.

The Bomber Jacket’s Military Origins

Bomber jackets were initially created as protective equipment used by military pilots during flights. The initial design was made from leather since it would protect them from the cold wind at great heights. One of the later designs included MA-1, which added nylon in order to make it less heavy. It had ribbed cuffs and a tight waist that kept the heat inside.

Materials Compared: Wool and Fleece vs Leather

What a Varsity Jacket Is Made From

A real varsity jacket has a body of either wool or fleece material. The wool provides structure and warmth to the jacket and also enhances its classic appearance, while the fleece makes it light weight and more comfortable. The sleeves of the jacket are always made of leather; most of the times, they are either lamb leather or cowhide. Lamb leather sleeves are soft and need less break-in, and cowhide sleeves are tough and more resistant to wear and tear. The rib knit cuffs, collar, and waistband give the jacket its classic look, and the interior is lined with soft polyester lining.

What a Bomber Jacket Is Made From

The leather bomber jacket will use leather as the primary material on the body. Lambskin has the advantage of being soft and light weight to wear, with little time spent in breaking in. Cowhide is sturdier and will serve for a long time. Leather jackets block the wind better than wool and fleece do. Quality leather bomber jackets can be made using either full grain or top grain leather. Full grain leather leaves the hide intact, and top grain leather gets sanded to make it smoother. Ribbed cuffs and hems will still apply to create the varsity look.

Style and Silhouette Differences

The design of varsity jackets is characterized by a straight and loose fit silhouette. This type of silhouette works perfectly well for robust and athletic bodies with broad shoulders. In contrast, bomber jackets are more puffy and rounded in design and therefore flatter most body types. The sleeves of varsity jackets may differ in color from the body of the jacket itself. However, the design of bomber jackets is usually monochromatic. It should be noted that patches, stripes, or lettering can decorate varsity jackets but not bomber jackets. Button snap closures dominate in varsity jackets, and bomber jackets have zippers. Another difference between varsity and bomber jackets lies in the type of collars used in them. The ribbed knit collar is typical of varsity jackets, whereas bomber jackets may have a fur-trimmed collar.

Comparison Table: Varsity Jacket vs Bomber Jacket

Here is how the two styles stack up side by side.

• Body material: Varsity uses wool or fleece. Bomber uses leather throughout.
• Sleeve material: Varsity uses leather sleeves. Bomber uses matching leather sleeves.
• Origin: Varsity comes from college sports. Bomber comes from military aviation.
• Silhouette: Varsity is boxy and straight. Bomber is fitted and rounded.
• Detailing: Varsity often has patches and lettering. Bomber favors clean, minimal design.
• Warmth: Varsity offers moderate insulation from wool. Bomber offers strong wind resistance from leather.
• Best season: Varsity suits fall and cool spring days. Bomber suits fall through winter layering.

Where the Two Styles Overlap

Although the jackets are different, they do have some common characteristics. First of all, both reach the waist and provide loose and comfortable fits. The second point is the presence of ribbed cuffs and hems. Both jackets can be worn by men and women equally well and go very well with jeans and trainers. This commonality often prompts people to compare these two jackets directly. Knowing the difference will allow you to choose the best one right from the beginning.

When to Wear a Varsity Jacket

Select a varsity jacket to create a classic, college look. It can be worn for all kinds of casual occasions, game days, and for college-inspired outfits. It can be paired with jeans, athletic shoes, and just a plain T-shirt. It is also good to layer it with a hoodie, since the contrasting sleeves give an edge without trying too hard. It is definitely one of the must-haves in streetwear style and it is best for those cool fall days when a heavy coat may be too much. Explore our varsity jackets collection to see wool and fleece options.

When to Wear a Bomber Jacket

Choose a leather bomber jacket to get a more sophisticated and stylish appearance. This jacket will suit both informal and smart informal events. Wear it with chinos for a great day look, or wear it with dark jeans for a night event. The fit and shape of this jacket flatter almost every figure without adding unnecessary volume. In addition, it goes well with a scarf. It suits cold weather, because the leather material protects you from wind. Our bomber jacket style guide will help you in styling. Choose from a variety of men’s leather jackets, including bombers. Browse our men’s leather jacket collection for bomber and other leather styles.

Fit and Body Type Considerations

The varsity jacket works especially well with muscular and athletic body types because of its boxy cut. A bomber jacket would be appropriate for a wide variety of body types because of the waist that it offers. However, in terms of sleeve length, tall men should focus on making sure they get the right fit with either jacket, whereas short men would tend to favor the shorter bomber jacket over the longer varsity jacket. In addition, one could simply go for a bigger size with either option if they wanted to have more room and layering. Our jacket fit guide by body type walks through sizing for both styles.

Caring for Each Jacket Type

The care of varsity jackets is dependent on the material used in making the jacket. Clean the wool portion of the jacket by brushing it softly and cleaning any stained areas. Condition the leather portions every several months to keep the leather from cracking. The bomber jacket, on the other hand, needs total leather treatment, and this is done by conditioning and storing it in padded hangers, keeping it away from any source of heat. Do not expose them to direct sunlight since this will dry up the leather over time. Our leather jacket care guide explains conditioning steps in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Varsity Jacket the Same as a Bomber Jacket

No. The varsity jacket has either a woolen or fleece body with leather sleeves. On the other hand, the bomber jacket is constructed using full leather.

Which Jacket Is Warmer, Varsity or Bomber

The bomber jacket provides better resistance to the wind compared to the varsity jacket. The varsity jacket is slightly warm due to the wool or fleece body. Both do not substitute for heavy winter coats.

Can a Varsity Jacket Be Made Entirely of Leather

There are certain variations; however, the original varsity jacket is made up of various materials. The wool or fleece body is part of the traditional varsity jacket design.

Which Jacket Suits a Professional Casual Setting Better

The look of a bomber jacket suits smarter casual wear better. Varsity jackets suit more towards casual and streetwear scenarios. Go for leather when attending meetings and fleece during weekends.

Do Both Jackets Work for Layering

Yes. As both can be worn with hoodies, sweaters, or buttoned down shirts. Go one size bigger if you like to layer most of the time.

Is a Bomber Jacket More Expensive Than a Varsity Jacket

Generally, yes. Full leather jackets are usually more expensive than those with wool or fleece body. Sleeve quality matters when considering the cost of varsity jackets.

Final Verdict: Choosing Between Varsity and Bomber

Both of these jackets present their own individual styles, history, and material. The varsity jacket creates a college look by incorporating wool, fleece, and leather sleeves together. The bomber jacket presents itself in a neat versatile form because of its material which is entirely made of leather. Think of your style and the look you want to make. Think about your body type and how frequently you will layer your clothes. A lot of customers eventually purchase both types of jackets for their collection, because each of them fits certain occasions. Check out our entire jacket collection to find both of them. Learn more about our materials and craftsmanship on our About Us page.