I've always thought an excelled leather bomber jacket is one of those rare wardrobe pieces that just works with everything you own. You don't have to overthink it; you just throw it on over a t-shirt or a hoodie, and suddenly you look like you actually put some effort into your outfit. There's something about the weight of a real leather jacket that makes you feel a bit more put-together, even if you're just headed out to grab a coffee or meet some friends at a dive bar.
If you aren't familiar with the brand, Excelled has been around for a long time. They've been making leather goods for decades, and they've got a real history with military-spec designs. When you pick up one of their bombers, you're not getting some flimsy fast-fashion piece that's going to peel after three months. You're getting something heavy, substantial, and honestly, a little bit nostalgic.
The Feel of Real Leather
One of the first things you notice about an excelled leather bomber jacket is the texture. Depending on the specific model you find—and there are plenty of vintage ones floating around out there—the leather is usually thick but surprisingly supple. It's not that stiff, plastic-feeling stuff you find in big-box department stores. It smells like real leather, and it has that distinct "creak" when you move your arms for the first few weeks.
The beauty of these jackets is how they break in. Leather is a lot like a good pair of raw denim jeans; it starts out a bit rigid, but as you wear it, it begins to mold to your body. The elbows get those natural creases, the shoulders relax, and the whole thing starts to tell a story of everywhere you've been. I've seen guys wearing Excelled jackets that are twenty or thirty years old, and they honestly look better now than they probably did when they were brand new. The patina—that natural wear and shine leather gets over time—is something you just can't fake.
That Classic Bomber Silhouette
The "bomber" style itself has deep roots in aviation history, specifically the A-2 and G-1 flight jackets worn by pilots in World War II and the Korean War. Excelled does a great job of keeping those classic vibes alive. Usually, you're looking at a shorter waist length, ribbed knit cuffs, and a ribbed waistband. These features were originally designed to keep the wind out while pilots were in drafty cockpits, but today, they just give the jacket a really nice, structured shape.
I personally love the versions that come with the detachable fleece or shearling collars. It gives you a bit of versatility. If it's a particularly biting winter day, you keep the collar on for that extra warmth and that "Old Hollywood" pilot look. If it's a bit milder in the spring or fall, you zip the collar off, and you've got a much cleaner, more streamlined silhouette. It's like having two jackets in one.
How to Style It Without Trying Too Hard
The best way to wear an excelled leather bomber jacket is to keep things simple. You don't need to go full "Top Gun" (unless that's your thing, then by all means, go for it).
For a daily look, I usually go with a pair of dark indigo jeans and some sturdy leather boots. A plain white or grey crew-neck t-shirt underneath is all you really need. The jacket is the star of the show, so you don't want too many other "loud" pieces competing for attention. If it's colder, a grey marl hoodie looks killer underneath a brown leather bomber. It's a very casual, "I just threw this on" vibe that still looks sharp.
The cool thing about the Excelled brand specifically is that they often use very traditional colors. You'll see a lot of rich chocolates, deep mahoganies, and classic blacks. Brown leather tends to feel a bit more rugged and heritage-focused, while a black leather bomber has a slightly edgier, urban feel to it. Both are incredibly easy to style, so it really just comes down to what fits your personal aesthetic better.
Why Vintage Excelled is the Way to Go
While you can certainly buy new leather jackets, there's a massive market for vintage Excelled gear. If you spend any time on eBay or at local thrift shops, you'll likely run into one. The reason they're so popular in the second-hand market is simply because they were built to last.
Buying vintage is also a great way to get a high-quality leather piece without dropping five hundred dollars or more. Plus, someone else has already done the hard work of breaking it in for you. A vintage excelled leather bomber jacket often has that perfect "lived-in" feel right off the rack. You don't have to worry about that awkward "too-new" shine that some leather jackets have.
When you're hunting for a vintage one, just keep an eye on the knit ribbing at the cuffs and waist. That's usually the first thing to go on any bomber jacket. If the leather looks good but the cuffs are a bit frayed, it's usually a pretty easy fix for a tailor or a cobbler, so don't let that scare you off a good find.
Sizing and Fit Tips
Sizing can be a bit tricky, especially with older Excelled models. Back in the day, these jackets were often cut a bit wider in the shoulders and chest to allow for layering and movement. If you're used to modern, "slim-fit" clothing, you might find a vintage bomber feels a bit "puffy."
Don't let that discourage you, though. A bomber jacket is supposed to have some volume. It shouldn't fit like a second skin; you want enough room to comfortably wear a sweater underneath. That said, make sure the shoulder seams actually sit on your shoulders and the waistband hits right around your belt line. If it's too long, it starts to look more like a parka than a bomber, and you lose that classic "v-taper" look that makes these jackets so flattering.
Taking Care of Your Investment
If you treat an excelled leather bomber jacket right, it'll literally last you a lifetime. Leather is a natural material, so it needs a little bit of moisture to keep from drying out and cracking. Every year or so, it't a good idea to hit it with some leather conditioner. Just rub it in with a soft cloth, let it sit, and then buff off any extra. It'll keep the hide supple and help it repel water.
Speaking of water—don't freak out if you get caught in a light rain shower. Just hang the jacket up at room temperature and let it dry naturally. Whatever you do, don't put it near a heater or use a hairdryer on it, as that'll suck all the natural oils out of the leather and leave it feeling like cardboard. If it gets really soaked, just give it some time, and maybe apply a bit of conditioner once it's dry.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, there are plenty of brands out there making leather jackets, but Excelled has a certain blue-collar honesty to it that I really appreciate. It's not trying to be a high-fashion runway piece. It's a workhorse. It's the kind of jacket that looks just as good on a construction worker as it does on a tech CEO.
Whether you're buying a brand new one or scouring the racks of a dusty vintage shop, an excelled leather bomber jacket is a solid investment. It's a piece of Americana that hasn't gone out of style in seventy years, and it's probably not going out of style anytime soon. It's rugged, it's comfortable, and it just gets better with age. Honestly, what more could you want from a jacket?