Pink and army green should always be seen
Photos: Sarah Brick
Pink? For autumn? Groundbreaking. Apparently, there’s a Devil Wears Prada sequel in the works; set around the decline of the magazine publishing industry. More flashbacks to a former life… you know how that thrills me ( to paraphrase Miranda Priestley). Anyhow. Let’s talk about perennial style. Mixing it up and not saving clothes for a particular season is the way to make the most of your wardrobe – and I’m always trying to work these dusky pink Capri pants into an outfit. Even more so after Michelle Obama wore cropped pants at the DNC. And, pink popped up on the Loewe fall 2024 catwalk HERE (look 33), at Prada and Rick Owens.
When adding colour to an ensemble, the northern miserablist in me always wants to tone it down, to offset any brightness with a calming neutral. Of which, army green is a year-round favourite (see pink cord jacket and military jumpsuit). The shirt is a brighter, warmer shade than the trousers but the preppy white stripe and white T-shirt underneath help to break things up a bit. While the army green overshirt turns the intensity down a notch. And I am comfortable in the pink.
This vintage military shirt – and it is a shirt not a jacket (and never a shacket!) is an item I wear as an outer layer. A lot. Let’s call it an overshirt. Last, year, Manhattan Brother was driving the family back from my mum’s 90th birthday celebration in Bruges to catch the Eurostar, when he suddenly took a detour. Et voilà, a warehouse full of army surplus. We were like teenagers again, rummaging around in utility heaven. Initially, the military overshirt smelled a bit musty – but for 10 Euros, I could happily put up with the pong. And, after washing and wearing for a while, the whiff gradually dissipated.
My snazzy sneakers (old Asics) go with everything. But should you be tempted to swap sports shoes for smartness, try Everlane’s Birch Green Day Glove or Russell & Bromley’s olive green Chester loafer, Me+Em’s olive leather boots or ballerina flats. For full-on, fancy feet, grab a pair of Boden’s bright pink metallic loafers.
Where to find good army surplus
When I first moved to London there was a brilliant shop called Lawrence Corner. Full of army surplus and lots of brilliant stuff. Sadly, no more. Now everything’s online (including the publishing industry). But it is possible to buy from specialist dealers. As well as the traditional bleu de travail, Marie Remy the founder of French Workwear also sells a number of shirts and jackets in different cuts and colours. See also Hang Up Vintage and Rokit, and there are plenty of military options on Etsy, ( apparently the shirt I’m wearing is a vintage Belgian army jacket from 1976).
Pink and army green should always be seen:
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STYLE NOTES
Military shirt, as above. Striped shirt from Faithfull the Brand (bought last year, no longer available in this colourway). Capri pants are a few years old from Weekend Max Mara). White T-shirt, Uniqlo.
Discussion (17 Comments)
Alice says:
I had a moment of regret for the loss of Lawrence Corner as soon as I saw the picture! Not sure when it went but instinctively knew it wasn’t there any more. The shirts and trousers were always beautifully worn-in. Love the colour combo. Gola have some pink + green retro trainers I’ve been eyeing up….
Heather Cupit says:
I have a jacket in army green from this summer MandS – pink sounds a colour that would rock it!
Adele Geras says:
Love this colour combo and happy to wear pink all year round. I have excellent army green (khaki?) cord trousers from Kate Barton who does the most brilliant trousers!
I’m on your page! I have a thicker khaki jacket ( 1950s Canadian army surplus) that is almost waterproof and just the perfect thing for autumn. I have customised mine with a couple of embroidered patches ( including one that reads Life saving Senior! and the other designed by me)
Karen says:
I used to buy military surplus here in the US at Ragstock in Minnesota and a marvelous place long since gone when I lived in Portland. Alas, no more. Love your shirt.
Karen Miles says:
When I was in my twenties, I lived in green army pants. And my favorite color is – and always has been – pink, so this is a combo I wore and loved for years. Thanks for the reminder – now that I’m in my 70s, it’s time for a revisit!
Cindy from Canada says:
I wear pink tops/sweaters/t shirts year round. Green is a nice complimentary color – I don’t have bottoms in that color. In Canada and the US (don’t know about the UK ) October is breast cancer awareness month, and pink is the color people wear
Liz says:
And pink is such a versatile colour, going blue-y or peach-y as needed for one’s preference. Pink and green is a standby, but I also love pink with brown and pink with navy. And I guess since it seems that burgundy is this year’s cool weather color, why not pink with burgundy?
Claire says:
Pink and green – always! I also remember Lawrence Corner from when I moved to London from the North West. And this Northerner has always liked bright colours!
Boadicea says:
Oh, Lawrence Corner! Wonderful place. Didn’t they advertise in Exchange & Mart? You could browse its adverts from one week to the next and see all sorts of stuff you never knew you needed/wanted until then! And like Rukshana’s mother, mine would say ‘”Of course blue and green go together, look at the sky and grassy fields – beautiful!'”
Mrs Tonia says:
Great look once again Alyson.
I’m very much a wearer of olive green in all manifestations. Have several Olive jackets but none the real deal. Rather a Zara old goodie, one from Adolfo Dominguez boutique in Madrid, minor designer iterations of same. Yesterday had an olive raglan sleeved truncated trench on from Cos several seasons ago.
They are good on olive garments. Just invested in a great pair of dark olive wool gabardine wide legged trousers with elasticated waist from one of their London shops. I’d liked the colour and fabrication in the online photo but needed to try on to see if they suited a far shorter rounder older person than the model. With some alteration tweaks will be my go-to new year trousers.
I use my olive garments as neutrals. Like it with orange. Sunflower yellow, black and white. Coral colours, Tawny tones. More these than pink I think.
As a green eyed person it’s always been a favourite basic. Have a back catalogue of green scarves, gloves, handbags and boots to call upon as I refresh my wardrobe for cooler weather.Liz Banner says:
Lawrence Corner – what a rite of passage that was to anyone new to London in the 80s. I find I increasingly* navigate my way around town using landmarks and shops that no longer exist. A favourite start to any central London directions in our house is ‘You know where Moss Bros used to be ….’
*entirely
Lizzie G says:
My late husband bought a khaki greatcoat in `Lawrence corner in about 1972 and his mother was so horrified at the thought of her son wearing military surplus that she gave him the money for a ‘decent’ overcoat! I don’t remember him buying an alternative…..
Susanna says:
Late to the party here, but Fall just arrived in San Francisco, so I have pulled out my beloved army green and pink tweed skirt, paired with a green sweater with broderie collar. Popped a light wool Jaeger jacket over it, and a scarf from Wallace and Sewell (the London Underground fabric gals) and I’m head to toe British gentlewoman!
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My mother reckoned that green goes with everything because – “look at the natural world !” .