Military clothing was designed to provide the reliability and protection military personnel requires for their missions, so it’s not surprising it’s grown to be a civilian wardrobe trend for these exact properties. You don’t have to go all in on this trend to be able to make the most of it. With a few well-chosen pieces, you can create the kind of wardrobe that backs you up with comfort and functionality.
All the while adding that much-desired touch of ruggedness and style. The reason it’s become so popular in fashion certainly has something to do with how easy it is to incorporate it into your every day looks, no matter if you’re more into minimalism or the streetwear casual aesthetic.
And, the beauty of it is there isn’t just the camo option you can browse from – there are plenty more military jackets, trousers, and shirt designs for you to pick and incorporate. With so many choices and so many styling possibilities that cater to a wide range of needs and tastes, military items also make the perfect gifts.
How to Capture the Essence of Military-Inspired Fashion?
If you want to be more confident in inviting this timeless style into your own closet, it’s advisable to start off with a few points that can guide you through the shopping and styling:
Pick the Basics
As established, there’s no need to go all-in on this trend when you can make a more affordable choice by being more selective with the military basics. Think of clothes that could work in a combination with most of your clothes already present in the wardrobe. I’m thinking a classic military style jacket from leather in neutral colours that goes with anything, camo trousers with cargo pockets that can be tucked in high boots, and a regular tee that’s on the tighter and more fitted side.
Do Some Mixing and Matching
As mentioned, this trend can be mixed and matched with what you already have in the closet, so don’t be afraid to experiment pairing the military ruggedness with something more casual, smart, or feminine. A military style jacket goes well with streetwear casual, athleisure pieces, as much as feminine items like dresses and skirts, for example. You may not think high military boots as the kind of footwear that goes well with a flowy dress with floral prints, but you’d be surprised at the result once you try this mix on and make it your own with confidence. Have no fear with opting for that military statement piece for your day-to-day looks.
Choose Your Prints
It’s okay if you don’t want to pick camouflage, but don’t fear that it would overwhelm your outfits if you do. Choosing just the one camo piece is enough to add a nice flair to the overall look without overpowering it as long as you stick to neutrals for the other pieces.
Use Accessories to Your Advantage
It’s no secret accessories make the perfect finishing touches to make your look put together, and this style is no exception. In addition to choosing your main piece, be it a military jacket (e.g. bomber, storm jacket, flight jacket, tracksuit jacket), pants, or boots, you can throw in a little more of the military charm with accessories.
To give you an idea, you’ve got an array of tactical belts to pick from, hats (e.g. cadet hats, boonie hats, berets), and bags for when you don’t have enough room in your pockets or don’t buy pants with cargo pockets. Jewellery, like lanyard necklaces, tactical survival bracelets, or carabiner keychains can also nicely complement your outfits. Find what suits you best, your taste and needs specifically, and work with it. Lastly, a rugged pair of sunnies and watch tops it all off with an equal dose of the army charm you’re after.
Stay Neutral in the Palette
For a sophisticated look that captures the true military essence, it’s best to avoid any colour that distracts and stick to neutrals. After all, this trend is all about earth tones like navy blue, olive green, and khaki. Besides, when using such colours and staying away from anything flashy and contrasting, you can mix your military pieces with more items you have in the closet. So, taking this step provides you with more wardrobe flexibility; easy to style and wear, and affordable, what more could you want?!
Look for Utilitarian Details
As I already talked about it, this trend is about practicality, function, and reliability, so one more way to help you capture its essence is by choosing pieces with useful details. These could be in the example of straps, epaulets, pockets (plenty of them!), striking metal buttons, storm flaps, detachable hoods on your top layer, and tactical watches that do more than show you the time. It’s the little details that can make a world of difference in the overall result!
