How to wear camouflage print
Even at my age, there are certain fashion items I’ve never worn, like a basque, a baseball cap, and a bold camouflage print. As far as the basque and the baseball cap are concerned, I’d like to keep it that way, but all of a sudden this military pattern feels so right. Start off with a fondness for khaki, add a healthy dollop of animal print and then bring on the camo, it’s a natural progression.
So, I picked this jacket up for £30 at Brixton Market (that’s where I buy all my coats), none of your pretend military schmutter, this is proper army surplus with a NATO label sewn in the back and a strange bum flap-type thingy. The man in the second-hand shop said the flap was something to do with soldiers sitting on their helmets – ahem- which may be truth or fiction, who knows? Fortunately the bum flap can be buttoned up on the inside and so no need to worry about tucking it into my knickers when I’ve been to the loo. This is me on the way to London Fashion Week with my lovely new camo jacket thrown over an old Jaeger striped tunic top, Acne black pants, ancient New Balance trainers – a bit smelly but perfect on the cobbles at Somerset House – and a new Jaeger handbag. My first proper ladies’ handbag. Add that to the first-time-for-everything list. How very grown-up.
From anti-war protestors to high fashion, the art of camouflage has a long history, here are a few of my favourite camo moments:
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| Debbie Harry wears Stephen Sprouse (collaboration with Andy Warhol) 1987. |
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| Lily Cole in Jean Paul Gaultier (2007). |
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| Jenna Lyons mixes it up. |
Camo is another weapon to add to the fashion armoury – though when I’m on my bike in the rain, in my khaki jacket and new cycle helmet, I look a lot like this:
What’s on your first-time-for-everything list?
And now I’m going to try to add this to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday list.
Discussion (21 Comments)
Looks fabulous and I like the pattern mix with the shirt!
Just found your blog and am glad I did! Most 'fashion blogs' seem to be written by 20-somethings showing off their £2000 handbags (bought curtesy of daddy's bank account) whilst 'working incredibly hard in PR or communications" dahling (meow!!!), so yours is a breath of fresh air!
Shamefacedly admitting to wearing my navy blue blazer with jeans – sometimes… 🙁
xo
Since my mantra is "Never say never", it's hard to find something I haven't worn at one time or another. But I can't imagine ever wearing "dress shorts" or diamonds!
Seeing your pic reminds me I owe you some. I will get to it soon. Having a well deserved rest at the mo. Love your jacket. I want one too. Xxxx
Camo is my favorite pattern by far. I've been looking for a jacket but haven't been able to find one. Army/Navy surplus store is a good idea.
Hi my dear! Love your camo outfit-I thrifted a Pepe London fashion camo jacket last month, but Christopher has a couple of authentic camo jackets that I picked up for him in summer if I want to borrow those! Snap, hubby treated me to a Jaeger bag at the weekend too-a quilted Chanel camera style one in dark beige! xx
love this on you. chic and casual. i am loving this look right now. it was everywhere in ny and now i'm going to scour our army surplus store. thanks for sharing! xo
Ruth – I can see why you're not so crazy about camo, think that's what they call a busman's holiday.
Vix – Love the idea of your quick Wonder Woman-style costume change in the loo.
Mademoiselle Poirot – hello and welcome to That's Not My Age. No two grand handbags allowed!
Wow…..What a nice post!!….Your post is an excellent example of why I keep coming back to read your excellent quality content that is forever updated.
Jessie – thank you! That's very kind of you to say,and much appreciated.
Camo always looks better when the colors are…well, camouflage. That said, I love Debbie Harry regardless of her fashion choices. 😉
Down here in Deliverance territory, I wouldn't. It's hunting season, and camo is ubiquitous without irony of any kind. Context, in this case, is everything!
It doesn't matter if you are old, camo goes well with everyone, it depends how you wear it, combining the jacket with a pretty nice and simple dress always works.
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No, no, no. I used to wear it for a living ~ wearing it for "fashion" is just plain wrong!