Military
Clothing and Fashion
Military clothing has always had an influence
on the world of fashion and high street trends
Military clothing and fashion
Military clothing has always influenced
civilian fashion. Designers are often inspired by military wear, which
in turn filters down to high
street fashion. A recent trend drew inspiration from 20th century classic
Russian styles and the big fashion houses including Karen Millen had
fashion ranges that featured military-style clothing such as her Tsarina
range.
Military clothing and identity
There is something ironic about the fashion
world adopting military clothing. Military clothing is a uniform and
by definition is to create
a sense of identity that originates from being part of an army and wider
team. Fashion however, has always been about expressing one’s individuality
and uniqueness. Nevertheless, the Combat look has been around for decades.
Combat boots for example have been in and out of fashion since the 1940s.
Military clothing and the high street
In 1995, it wasn’t just combat
boots that pounded the high street. Military clothing such as camouflage
pants became popular and then combat
trousers featuring side pockets became huge. The whole of the UK it seemed
was dressed in some form of military clothing by the end of 1995. Major
designers such as John Galliano and Marc Jacobs as well as fashion labels
Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and Dolce and Gabbana all embraced military styles.
Military clothing and art
But the relationship between military clothing,
fashion and art has always been strong. When it came to designing camouflage
patterns, especially
in France, artists and painters were brought in. In 1914 in France, the
couturiers used camouflage patterns in women’s clothing. The early
camouflage artists came from the abstract expressionist school of Paris
and including painters and theatre set artists such as Forain, Villon,
Despiau and Camoin.
Military clothing as subversive statement
Military clothing became popular
in the civilian world thanks to its use of camouflage – hunters
for example used the clothing to help them become more effective. But
as the peace movement gained momentum
in the 1960s, military clothing began to be subverted as a means of expression.
Military clothing is a powerful statement and culture is always playing,
subverting or exploiting its symbolism. The concept of camouflage however
has always fascinated artists as a means to twist and subvert or conceal
and distort shapes. Andy Warhol used the material famously in his 1986
camouflage series, which was his last major work.
Military clothing and the extreme right
Military clothing however was
also used to express an affiliation with the military and was used by
those associated with right wing sub-cultures
or neo-Fascist groups. The use of military clothing became a kind of
shorthand for macho-ness and violence.
John Bull Military Clothing is a supplier of quality merchandise to
the Forces worldwide. John Bull Military Clothing is based at the Catterick
Garrison, North Yorkshire. For all your military clothing, outdoor and
survival equipment needs you can order from the online shop. For more
details telephone 01748 833614 or email: mail@johnbullclothing.com
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