Mission Mode: Militarycore in Command | fashion trends

From avid hikers to streetwear influencers, you can spot cargo pants and military aesthetics everywhere today. This season, however, the designers are approaching it in an experimental and structured way. Luxury brands such as Off-White, Valentino and Act Nº1 have gone all out with their recent runway looks with a military aesthetic. Fashion houses such as Coperni, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton and Diesel have also included these styles in their spring 2023 shows. Even celebrities such as models Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, actress Emily Ratajkowski and singer Rihanna, make this style cool again. With its growing popularity, experts decipher this fashion mission for us.

“Military-inspired fashion is the biggest trend of the season. It’s not limited to pants, but everything is cargo: skirts, shorts, jackets and matching sets,” informs Amritha Ram, Creative Director at KH House of Khaddar. Designer Aniket Satam adds to the sentiment, saying, “Combat fashion becomes mainstream when people can relate to the central idea of ​​protection. Post-pandemic, we can all relate to this collective sentiment, making it a trend this year. »

What is the military core?

Think camouflage prints, utilitarian details and silhouettes and rustic color palettes including khaki, olive, brown and beige. “These become the key style elements of militarycore. Some of the accessories in this trend include dog chains, berets, caps, and patches,” Satam informs. Designer duo Rishi and Vibhuti add that everything related to a military uniform – from dark color choices, to functional accents such as pockets, zippers, buckles, etc. with camouflage patterns – falls under this style.

evolution

Several reports suggest the style is inspired by British military uniforms of the 1930s. The uniforms were designed to help soldiers carry extra ammunition and other supplies needed on the battlefield. It was adopted by the fashion industry later, seen with a utilitarian lens. The pocket design gained momentum in the 90s and early 2000s and is on the rise again with the rise of Y2K fashion.

“It’s undergone a high-fashion makeover, resulting in tailored silhouettes, interesting pocket placements infused with ultra-luxe fabrics, smart details, modern fits and a variety of shades,” says Ram.

Style it properly

While everyone wants to jump on the trend bandwagon, Satam warns that overdoing it can look like cosplay. “Add an element and build the whole look around it, like wearing chunky combat shoes or a camo print shirt. Simple, well-done color blocking with olive green, khaki, or coffee can also work well,” he says. Agreeing with him, designer Rishi Roy adds more on anchoring the look with accessories: “Either go for military-inspired accessories or invest in outerwear, like khaki jackets, a thick woolen trench coat or a nylon bomber jacket with badges. and patches.