How to Wear Military Inspired Clothing

Military inspired clothes are a key look for 2010.  This look is versatile and functional, and military style clothes are cool to add to your spring and summer looks and but will also be particularly stylish and useful to add to your fall look.  The color of choice is definitely military green, but navy and dark brown also look chic in this military style.

Perhaps the most popular military inspired clothing item right now is the military inspired jacket.  Different from previous seasons where this piece was more Victorian looking, right now this jacket is utilitarian and much more understated.  This year, military inspired jackets are also much more feminine than in the past.  Although it seems difficult to combine femininity with the military fashion trend, designers have really figured out this look.  Look for shrunken, slim cut jackets that emphasize a small waist.  Or alternatively, look for oversize military inspired jackets (much like the oversize blazer trend right now) that emphasize long legs and contrast with a petite frame.  Embellishments such as shoulder pads with jewels, studs and chains also give the military jacket a more modern and feminine feel.

Also look for other military inspired pieces, such as shirt dresses or button-down tops.  With shirt dresses, make sure you pick a piece that has crisp military details, such as shoulder epaulettes, large buttons, or other embellishments, but make sure that the dress comes with a fabric tie or use a belt to cinch and define your natural waist.  If you don’t define your waist, you will look shapeless, not feminine.  For military inspired button-downs, look for utilitarian embellishments, such as large, buttoned chest-pockets or tabs added to help hold up rolled sleeves.  Make sure to look for a shirt that’s cut close to the body and made to show off a woman’s curves, but have fun with the smaller military details.

But beware of the bad side of this trend: actual camouflage print!  This print style on clothes is hard to make look chic and often just looks tacky.  The only people who should wear camouflage are people actually in the military!  On women, the print looks cheap and has no sex appeal.

What do you think of this season’s military trend?  How would you wear these pieces?

Featured Jacket: The Obey Seeker Military Jacket, $90.00

Check out more women’s military jackets from Smarter.