Soldiers who serve their country with integrity are undoubtedly proud of the uniform they wear. It is a symbol of honor and dedication that comes in various types depending on the division in the armed forces one belongs to as well as on rank. It is no wonder that the fashion world has repeatedly drawn inspiration from the military. The work of many stylists and brands abounds in references to shapes, colors, and accessories drawn from combat uniforms.

Here are some examples of such inspiration to fashion brands over the years:

2006:

Miu Miu launched a military style collection rich in sporty references, such as silk shirts with foulards, jackets with badges, etc.

In the same year, Iceberg offers trousers with knit and leather finishes, jacquarde cardigans and nylon down jackets with military references.

2013:

Gas introduced jeans in camouflage print, comfortable and stylish for everyday wear.

2015:

The army-chic collection presented by H&M and Balmain included testimonials as Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn. Gold embroidery, braids, emerald green, burgundy, and black were the protagonists of this limited edition.

2019:

In their Spring/Summer collection Dolce & Gabbana revisited the military style in a chic key, essentially turning it into a free style—a mix between streetwear and sportswear yet glamorous.

Louis Vuitton also introduced a freestyle with military references like camouflage print, utility jackets, basic trench coats, and shiny bomber jackets.

2021:

Dior created a collection that combined art and military fashion, a mix between combat uniform and Parisian style.

Céline launched a collection of canvas bags with camouflage details that combined with jackets and vests in perfect army-chic style.

With her Military Style, Patrizia Pepe combined feminine and romantic garments with military style: camouflage overshirts to pair with polka dots, long silk dresses with camouflage prints, or green synthetic leather dresses.

Chloè offered slate green canvas cargo pants and accessories, obviously in army khaki leather.

2022:

It is not the first time that Giorgio Armani has proposed a military style in his collections. This year, in his “New Seasons Injections” men’s collection, camouflage prints contrast with orange touches.

Military uniforms are often associated with army fatigues, which are basic, no-frills designs in camouflage-print. However, there is much more to combat uniforms, including more elaborate and colorful designs worn on special operations or for ceremonial purposes.

During the 2000s, military style had a great influence on fashion and was considered mainstream. Who didn’t own a camouflage garment? A typical teenager wore either a t-shirt with a pair of trousers, or a military-style jacket with spots ranging from green to brown.

When it first made its debut in public, the military style was the mostly embraced by young adults, signaling extroversion, grit, and eccentricity with their fashion choices. Yet over the years, this style has evolved to carve out niches among many different sub cultures that claim it as their own. It certainly never went out of style.

Although it might seem more appropriate for extroverted, gritty, eccentric people, the military style has evolved over time and never went out of style.

As part of my latest capsule collection called “Military Chic”, I wanted to revive the military style by adding a personal touch.

Simple and precise lines, rigid and distinctive uniform-like features are obviously borrowed from the original source of inspiration. My personal touches include eye-catching punk and tomboy asymmetric elements.

Not only “camouflage,” but also technical and dark fabrics, ranging from khaki to undergrowth green, enriched with nylon nets and ribbons for a more contemporary, glamorous, and strictly feminine look.

I feature not only military fatigues / camouflage print but also technical and dark fabrics, from khaki to green undergrowth, accentuated with nylon nets and ribbons, for a more contemporary, glamorous, and feminine look.

This collection is designed to enhance the female figure using special cuts and the combination of rigid and delicate materials superimposed on top of each other to accentuate three-dimensional forms and cast them into relief.

It bears mentioning that elements of my capsule are a true limited edition, consisting of 3D printed labels that give each garment a precisely defined identity. Plates are most prominent in the accessories. And the capsule includes not only garments (.e.g., dresses, blazers, trousers, skirts) but also backpacks, handbags, and purses of various sizes, all exuding a chic casual style. One of the most remarkable band bags of the collection is the box bag containing a sown in monitor, which transmits a personalized clip, for a most contemporary final effect. Details like these mark the collection with an iconic style for greater recognition of my MAT brand.

It was my desire to enhance clothing and accessories with external pockets of various sizes, patterns, and overlaps—at times, the pockets form the pièce de résistance of a garment.  My “military chic” capsule makes strong references to the army chic style, but different from the classic military style, which tends to be basic and casual. This collection is meant to appeal to various fashion personas, from the most eclectic taste to the most minimalistic—anyone who’d like to stand out from the crowd by donning a truly unique, avant-garde garment.

MAT, a brand that knows how to stand out in a constantly evolving world.