"Military Style Invades Fashion," a new book from Phaidon, looks at how battlefield motifs have become contemporary closet mainstays. Gold braiding, for example, was originally meant to provide protection against enemy swords.
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Autumn-Winter 2015 —
"Military Style Invades Fashion," a new book from Phaidon, looks at how battlefield motifs have become contemporary closet mainstays. Gold braiding, for example, was originally meant to provide protection against enemy swords.
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Round metal buttons were makeshift musket bullets for a soldier in a jam.
Dolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 2016 —
Round metal buttons were makeshift musket bullets for a soldier in a jam.
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It was also intended to raise morale among troops.
Dsquared2 Autumn-Winter 2015 —
It was also intended to raise morale among troops.
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Elaborate ceremonial dress was meant to impress and intimidate enemies.
Burberry Autumn-Winter 2016 —
Elaborate ceremonial dress was meant to impress and intimidate enemies.
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Camouflage is one of the most common military motifs in fashion today.
Bottega Veneta Spring-Summer 2016 —
Camouflage is one of the most common military motifs in fashion today.
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Ironically, today's camouflage prints are more about standing out than blending in.
Moncler Gamme Rouge Autumn-Winter 2015 —
Ironically, today's camouflage prints are more about standing out than blending in.
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Nowadays, the print has lost much of of its military or counter culture associations.
Carven Spring-Summer 2014 —
Nowadays, the print has lost much of of its military or counter culture associations.
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Khaki has been worn by the military since the 1800s, offering comfortable and durable warm-weather uniform options.
Ralph Lauren Spring-Summer 2015 —
Khaki has been worn by the military since the 1800s, offering comfortable and durable warm-weather uniform options.
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"Legionnaire style in fashion capitalizes on the practicality and the exoticism evoked by desert and tropical military campaigns," Godbold writes.
Victoria Beckham Spring-Summer 2015 —
"Legionnaire style in fashion capitalizes on the practicality and the exoticism evoked by desert and tropical military campaigns," Godbold writes.
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Safari style, itself a recurring theme in fashion, is an offshoot of the legionnaire aesthetic.
Marc Jacobs Spring-Summer 2015 —
Safari style, itself a recurring theme in fashion, is an offshoot of the legionnaire aesthetic.
JOSHUA LOTT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
We have sailors to thank for the Breton stripe, the sailor's hat and the pea coat, among other things.
Tommy Hilfiger Autumn-Winter 2016 —
We have sailors to thank for the Breton stripe, the sailor's hat and the pea coat, among other things.
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"The sailor has been a romantic figure for centuries because of his association with the sea -- with adventure, mystery and self-reliance," Godbold writes.
Prada Autumn-Winter 2016 —
"The sailor has been a romantic figure for centuries because of his association with the sea -- with adventure, mystery and self-reliance," Godbold writes.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nautical style has been a signature of French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier since the 1980s.
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Autumn-Winter 2015 —
Nautical style has been a signature of French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier since the 1980s.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images