I’ve mentioned before that I think camo is pretty classic by now, like clogs and biker jackets and other items that used to be trendy but have stood the test of time. Still, I know that some of you think it’s disrespectful or wrong to wear something as fashion that soldiers wear in battle. But the military has influenced fashion for decades—maybe centuries?—so I feel it’s pretty fair game. I especially like camo in unexpected colorways, and this tee is a perfect example of that.
This button-down seems like it would be great for transitioning into fall dressing.
I once got in trouble with the publisher of Lucky, who was trying to sell the company ad space, when I told a reporter that Crocs were a pox, but at the time it was really how I felt. And it largely remains how I feel, despite my attraction to these—which I can not fully explain to you or myself.
Such a cute and cozy-looking quilted jacket with a nicely subtle print.
Just a really cute pair of sneaks in which to kick around.
This jacket looks an awful lot like those from indie designer Sandy Liang, who sells them for four or five times as much as this one goes for.
This summery dress from well-priced basics brand Z Supply has such a good silhouette and neckline.
And here’s another lovely frock that will be perfect for those oppressively hot August days we’re likely about to have.
A hoodie that’d be so cool layered under a blazer.
And yet another hoodie with thumbholes—which you may know I love—and a nice higher neckline for chilly morning dog walks.
I love this steal of a jacket as it is, but it also looks fantastic in black.
Slightly cropped camo pants that would be fantastic with a bright orange or pink (or something) tee or button-down.
I love how broken-in and weathered this tote looks.
The desert hues on this jacket make for a very appealing print.
I love camo and have several pieces in different colors! One of my favorite brands for it is Dylan by True Grit, not as pricy as some of these pieces but great quality in a range of styles. They also carry some on Zappos too. Check it out.
I am a camo avoider, for the same reasons mostly, except … my resistance is weakening. I first realized it when I saw a camo print made out of rabbits. (Here? was it here? Hmmm ) And I also like it when they get so abstract you almost can’t tell what print it is. And, I have a fondness for cargo pants. So, I make no sense at allllll.
When I first read this, I thought you were saying the camo print was made out of rabbit fur!! Lol.
It was at Madewell! so cute.
I’m not a camo person either, but Kim is the person who’s gotten me closest to liking it. I am super intrigued by the comfy-looking yet still edgy Z Supply quilted jacket and the price is great. Anybody purchase from Z Supply before? Is the customer service good? It looks Lou & Grey-ish (a brand I’ve liked).
Goodness, it never occurred to me to have opinions on camo beyond “do I like this shade?” and “do I like the garment the print is on?” In fact, it’s really the only form of print I wear. I am sorely tempted by the one from Splendid here — love the blue. I found a pair of pants identical to the pair from Gap earlier this summer at Target (the Universal Thread line) and wear them all the time. Though, come to think of it, a Marine did give me a nod when I had them on at the San Diego airport a few weeks ago. I can’t imagine he thought I was a sister-in-arms — middle-aged and be-clogged me, of all people.
I have that camo dress from Z Supply and get so many compliments when I wear it.
I don’t find it disrespectful at all, but I just don’t see the appeal.
Maybe I’ll start wearing my sparkly flag pin just to eff with people. Although my preferred method for healing the divisions in the country is for one of these One Percenty people to just buy lots of subscriptions to the Journal, and make it rain in certain areas. Only professional print journalism can save us. Radio and telly seem to make things worse.
I love camo. Isn’t it really originally meant for hunting, not necessarily the military?
I was so intrigued by this chicken/egg question that I looked it up. Turns out the (British) military came first. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_camouflage#:~:text=Norman%20Wilkinson%20who%20first%20proposed,painted%20more%20than%202%2C300%20vessels.
My spouse was on active duty for almost 30 years, so I feel confident in saying that there’s nothing disrespectful about wearing camo. But like themis’ spouse, mine finds fashion camo kind of silly. I have a couple of camo pieces, nevertheless!
I will say, the Alpha and Rails jackets look almost exactly like uniform pieces. If you can gain access, on-base thrift shops are always full of stuff like that!
As someone who doesn’t wear camo (bought once and stayed in my closet till Goodwill), this is a fantastic post. I love just about everything in it. I was getting ready to pull the trigger (pun intended) on the Z Supply dress, but it’s sold out. Phew!
I think it’s pretty easy to tell the difference between this camo and “THAT” camo. It’s all in how you wear it. I see it now more as a neutral that also has some visual interest with its patterning. Still can’t get down with the Croc trend, but then I never thought I would be wearing Birkenstocks in public either.
I am one of those who regretfully will not put any camo on my person – spiffy as some of these prints are, here – because of my husband’s long career in the military and his disdain for people who try to look as tactical as possible in day-to-day life. None of these look like any kind of stolen valor issue; but urbanites trying to look like they just got out of Boot are amusing to me. It’s a definitely a line to walk. Like, hunting gear while you’re hunting is fine. Hunting gear on the street is so try-hard; either that or you’re signaling you’re a 3-percenter. Also, nobody needs to blend in with their gym equipment at the LA Fitness, c’mon. That said, that tote would make a great travel bag and I wish they’d given it a scale photo or any kind of measurements or desciption in the comments. Is it immense? Is it reasonable? What does it reverse to?
Kind of tangential, but this is exactly how I feel about Carhartt (and other workwear brands). On farmers, metalworkers, road crews, etc. – of course. But on some dude in a hipster coffee place in Brooklyn or LA? Who is also wearing Yeezy’s? Naaaaaaaaaaaah. I grew up with working class people. I just can’t, you know?
I agree that camo has become classic, but I’m avoiding it these days because it’s current association with “patriotic wear” (which I didn’t know until recently was a thing, but I fell down a rabbit hole one day when I stumbled upon Nine Line Apparel when searching for Nine + Line dog food). Realize it seems a little silly to avoid a print because of this association, but after January 6, I don’t feel comfortable wearing it, and it’s pretty easy to wear something else.
Thank you, Amber, on the info about “patriotic wear”––I had no idea and definitely do NOT want to be associated with anyone who thought Jan. 6th was a good thing.
I never wear camo as my mind always goes to the use and purpose associated with military tactics.
I respect hunting and our military, but I prefer not to insert such symbols into my wardrobe.
I always felt alone on this stance here, but reading the comments, I see others stay away from camo as well, for similar reasons. That helps me, thanks.
I am deeply charmed, Kim, that you have fallen for the camo crocs. It shows an admirable flexibility of mind. And I know cw usually shows up in the comments early so I want to say, hi cw, I like you & your strong opinions and sharp observations, whether or not I agree.
I also came on hoping to see CW back! (Side note: I had no idea Crocs have been around that long.)
Thank you, Jenny and Eloise, I am back. I was just “outtie” for the day. I am so on the fence about camo coming from a family with deep military participation and from a state that believes hunting for anything at anytime preferably with beer as your accoutrement then the world is fine and dandy. However, I am partial to camo in grey and black so that one particular hoodie yearns to be on my body. And the jacket (that also comes in black) has a very British military feel to it (to me) which is a good thing.
Ditto what the other people said. cw, you are totally qualified to have opinions! I love ’em. I think there is a lot of psych in our fashion choices, and subconsciousness, and Jung (except I never read any yet …) and so on. It’s fascinating what things mean to different people. Please keep on with the opinions! I do sometimes chafe a bit about how much energy people sometimes spend worrying about age, but, otoh, who knows, maybe I don’t worry enough. I hope I didn’t add to the annoyance factor the other day. Heck, if something *is* “too young,” who else is going to tell me but you guys??? It could happen…
I hear you about hunting, cw. It’s a huge thing where I live; I call it blamming season. I don’t like it. But I still like the pattern of camo…….
As a vegetarian I actually respect hunting more than eating factory-farmed meat. And for a lot of folks, hunting and fishing are ways to feed their families. That said, because I live in a rural area I don’t feel comfortable wearing camoflage given its connection with, shall we say, folks of political affiliations that are different than mine. I think it reads differently in an urban environment, however, and of course depending on how it’s styled.
I so agree with the earlier comments about looking for your comments. Ditto on the camo as hunting gear but I love a selected few pieces as well. Glad I am not alone. Like with any fad, I’m looking forward to it being gone so that when I pull out that one piece, it will feel fresh. My biggest issue is that I feel I can only wear it with black to tone it down. Any thoughts out there on alternatives?
It looks great with heather grey, too (okay, I think everything looks great with heather grey). I wear camo yoga pants from Athleta with a heather grey sleeveless t-shirt to yoga class almost every time I go.
actually I think the ever popular French navy stripe shirt is an undisputed classic which also comes from a military provenance. Also Aviator sunglasses! Peacoats! Sailor Bellbottoms! And everybody should go try on the Nili Lotan French Military pants and then give it a rethink!
Never thought about that, thanks for mentioning…