Military Fashion

Military fashion as a trend is nothing new, in fact I've been tracking its rise on Fashionising.com since 2008. But while fashion trends tend to burn out within a few years, the women's military fashion trend isn't going anywhere, though like all true fashion trends, in 2010 the military trend will evolve. Gone (but not quite) are the decadent lashings inspired by military uniforms of the Georgian and Victorian eras. Rather, military is now about functionality and utility. If the 18th and 19th centuries originally inspired women's military fashion, then it's true to say that in 2010 it's inspired by the military uniforms of the 20th century.
Think functionality. Think understatement.

Functional military clothing in 2010

Perhaps understatement is the wrong word for the military trend for Spring 2010 and Autumn / Fall 2010. After all, there are obvious military connotations - they're just not as obvious as in past years.

Key Elements

Women's military fashion runs parallel to the new men's military fashion trend in that there are several key motifs:

• Army green is the colour, followed a distant second by navy.
• A great coat / military jacket is the key piece for the Autumn (Fall) / Winter wearing of the style.
• If army green is the trend's colour, then shearling is it's fabric. And that's because of it's dual use as a an embellishment on aviator boots / military fashion boots and a coat's collar.

How to wear it in 2010

For the military fashion trend pick from the two key looks: army and aviator.
While the army interpretation is all about army greens it can still be broadly interpreted and we've seen it styled successfully with everything from cropped shearling collared coats to loose fitting cargo pants. A word of warning though: we have the odd occurrence of camouflage print, we'd recommend you avoid it for the time being - it's simply too soon a come back.
The aviator interpretation of the trend is far less open. It's about a sleek look with slim cuts. And forget military green, this is all about darker hues with dark-brown leather jackets.

2010 military fashion trend inspiration

Valentino for GAP: first look (24.11.10)

Gucci takes us away for Cruise 2011
 
Frida, at ease
 
Anja Rubik marches on for H&M
 
Buckled shearling ankle boot: daily discovery
 
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for Burberry
 
Stylespiration: evening army
 
Imogen Morris Clarke: 10 Spring/Summer 2010
 
Stylespiration: Chanel Iman in Vogue
 
Gisele pulls a pose (video)
 
Carmen Kass, heat seeker: Harper's Bazaar
 
Military greens at Little Joe Spring 2010
 
Gisele Bundchen: army poster girl
 
Lily Donaldson: off duty army
 
Masha Novoselova: desert trooper
 
Gisele follows her call to duty
 
Trench warfare has never been sexier: Shannan Click
 
Vanessa Paradis earns her stars
 
Trendspiration: the shearling jacket
 
Trendspiration: Burberry's shearling
 
Trendspiration: Invade the field
 
Marie Claire Brazil ready for war
 
Camping out with Feral Girl
 
Street style: Taylor Tomasi in Commes Des Garcons
 
Understated military from Glamour France
 
Lingerie warfare: Eniko Mihalik
 
Cold war chic from MaxMara Autumn 2010
 
Burberry Prorsum = awesome: Fall 2010
 
Eniko Mihalik: army green for Vogue Paris
 
Anna Selezneva wants you

Military clothing pre-2010

While in 2010 military fashion as a trend would become all about army greens and utility wear, pre-2010 it was exuberant. Riding off the 1980s revival that helped define the fashion of 2008 and 2009, the military fashion trend of those years would have made Adam Ant proud - it was, after all, a reinterpretation of the decadent uniforms of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Military looks from Temperley, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen, Derek Lam & Collette Dinnigan

How to wear it

Gold detailing and ornate trims set off slick military cuts. In 2009, there are a number of different looks you can create - from rock to edgy-feminine to bohemian.
Rock Chic
For the ultimate in rock chic, skinny pants or shiny leggings are the perfect accompaniment. Wear with killer heels and a killer attitude.
Feminine
In 2009 the almighty military jacket can also be played up with a feminine touch. Think Ralph Lauren; a boxy, red military-inspired jacket paired with a floor-length feathered gown. It's impractical, and it works.
Bohemian Luxe
Nothing compliments the Bohemian luxury fashion trend quite like a military-inspired piece. Team Gucci's over-the-knee fringed boots with skinny pants, foho prints, and a strict military jacket for a sexed-up bohemian look.

Decadent military uniform fashion inspiration

Rupert Sanderson shearling lined boots (27.10.10)

Malgosia in full regalia
 
Marlena Szoka: Black Summer
 
Carmen Kass, heat seeker: Harper's Bazaar
 
Daria, ready for battle
 
Street style: sporty grey meets military denim
 
Frankie Morello, bucklemania
 
Alla Kostromicheva military in i-D
 
Street style: Mango military & leather
 
Andrew Gn gets military for Fall 2010


Balmain's perfect military blazer
 
More military from Balmain, Fall 2010
 
Anja Rubik takes on Jimi Hendrix inspired fashion
 
Ruffian: silk Dandies & sequins, Fall 2010
 
Ralph Lauren Collection Spring 2010
 
Constance Jablonski in military, Paris
 
Nadejda Savcova wears the military trend
 
Street style: military jacket
 
Natalie Portman: military shoulder trend
 
Street style: military jacket, Paris
 
Jessica Stam wears the Military Jacket for H&M
 
Women's military fashion from Twenty-Seven Names
 
Military trend in Balmain Spring/Summer 2010
 
Street style: military trend, New York
 
Lindsay Lohan in military style over-the-knee boots
 
Sienna Miller in the military fashion trend
 
Military milkmaid: Chanel Winter 2009 Ad Campaign
 
Twenty-Seven Names: Spring/Summer 2009/2010
 
Military trend street style: Balmain jacket, Paris
 
Beyonce in Balmain military jacket