The fashion world can be hard to keep up with. One minute something is hot and the next it becomes so last year. This can make it difficult to stay current with or even anticipate future style trends. Luckily, there are somethings that simply never go out of style.
There are a few staples that timeless, such as a little black dress, red lipstick, a tailored suit, t-shirts, and now camouflage clothing. Camo clothing for men and women has infiltrated the fashion industry and taken it over by storm. From the high fashion runways of the world’s fashion capitols to the rural areas of the United States, it seems that everyone is jumping on the camo clothes band wagon and going camo clad.
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of camouflage is its versatility and appeal to both sexes. Unlike other prints and patterns such as animal print, floral, plaid, and paisley to name a few, camouflage has a unique flexibility that makes it incredibly easy to style, allowing it to fit comfortable within a variety of fashion genres and tastes.
Having an appreciation for the camo clad trend begins with understanding its history. Though members of the animal kingdom have been using camouflage for thousands of years in order to blend into their surroundings and avoid detection, it wasn’t until WWII that camouflage emerged on the front lines of war. The French military contracted two artists to create a pattern that would allow their vehicles, equipment, and personnel to blend into the environment. Following its success, armies across the world began using camouflage as well.
It wasn’t until the late 1960’s that camouflage made its debut on the fashion scene when it was used as a political statement by returning Vietnam War veterans, who upon their return, protested war efforts while sporting their camouflage fatigues.
This inspired hunters and outdoorsmen to create their own camouflage design in the 1970’s, which in turn, fueled camouflage’s debut onto the fashion scene during the 1980’s and 90’s. However, during that time, camouflage was most closely associated with the grunge, alternative, and punk movements.
Fast forward today, and it seems camouflage has settled in quite nicely in its role within the fashion industry.
