Camouflage is a very widespread print, but, as widespread as it may be, it is also very hard to wear. The origin of this difficulty lies in the hard utilitarian nature of the print. Camouflage was of course first created with the purpose of hiding oneself during military missions or while hunting. Its purpose is to have a blending effect with a natural environment, composed of dense leaves, branches and rocks. Thus, while the references are clear, the print is an abstract one. This odd combination makes it hard to wear and hard to mix and match.

 

 

The camouflage rules

Thus, the question that any elegantologist has about camouflage is “how can you wear it?” The simple way to go is, of course, to avoid it altogether, but, if you still wish to somehow incorporate it in your outfits, there are a few things you should consider about it:

Camouflage is casual. The utilitarian nature of the print itself makes it hard to be used for dressier pieces. If you go for a military look, you can definitely incorporate a camouflage print, but make sure you wear it with other casual pieces, in a casual setting. Camouflage is hard to be “dressed up”.

Camouflage is sporty. Again, the action-based origin of this print makes it right for sporty pieces, such as t-shirts of sweatpants. A camouflage bow tie sounds like something you’d want to avoid.

Camouflage is not neutral. While the purpose of camo is to make the wearer blend in, from a sartorial point of view, it is not neutral. The common green that is found in camouflage makes it hard to mix and match. Thus, camouflage could work best from a chromatic point of view with soft neutrals, such as beige, khaki or black. Other common neutrals such as white or gray will dull it down and make you look a bit washed out.

 

 

Quirky camouflage

Sometimes, one will see camouflage in neon shades or other quirky versions. These don’t really qualify as camouflage anymore, since classic camouflage is based on a green – brown – dark brown palette or on a blue – light blue – gray palette for winter.

Quirky camouflage can be even trickier than classic camouflage to be incorporate in an outfit, since it has a utilitarian vibe, but the colors say disco. Following basic color matching rules (for example combining similar colors such as blue and purple or colors that complete opposites such as red and blue) will of course have good results, but you’ll most likely be on the edge.

When all else fails, pair your camouflage with a pair of neutral chinos or a pair of jeans, and you are all set.

 

Overall, camouflage is a print that is wearable, but only under very narrow conditions. Think of it as a print you’d want to wear when hiking, at the gym or when riding your bike. Sometimes, if you don’t want to overdo it, but still want to wear some camo, you can simply use it as an accent fabric.

To conclude, it can be said that sometimes, the most common prints are the ones that are the hardest to make work. However, if you pay close attention to your outfits and the details that make it stand out, you can create a great look, even if it’s based on a camouflage print.

 

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

The guide to wearing paisley

AC Mood Board: Indian textile pattern book

Attire Club Mood Board: Prints and patterns

The complete guide to mixing patterns and prints

A guide to coordinating the colors of your clothes (+examples)

Fashion trend: Tropical prints

A guide to the military look

What are the different types of prints on clothes

How to wear 3 patterns or prints

A quick guide to wearing animal prints

A short history of pattern making and the Russian revolution

P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you make of camo? Do you wear it often? How do you include it in your outfits? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!