From Boots to Trench Coats: Military Fashion Trends That Went Mainstream

In Unfolded: Fauji Speaks on Civvy Street, Pankaj P Singh explores this fascinating crossover, highlighting how military aesthetics have shaped mainstream fashion so deeply that they now feel timeless rather than tactical. In this blog, we take a closer look at those military fashion trends that transcended their original purpose and became mainstream—proving that some of the most influential fashion statements were born not on runways, but in uniform.

Now a staple of city fashion, the trench coat originated in the WWI era. British brands like Burberry and Aquascutum designed it to shield officers from rain, wind, and gas attacks, with features like storm flaps, shoulder straps, and belted waists serving practical needs. After the war, returning soldiers brought the coat into civilian life, where its association with strength and discipline turned it into a style icon. Today, it’s seen more in coffee shops than trenches.

Camouflage started off as a tactical print for concealment and protection on the battlefield—from uniforms, then for tanks, aircraft, and even ships. And when it made it to the civilian world, it became more synonymous with standing out than concealment.

Adopted by designers, subcultures, and streetwear alike, camo found new expression in jackets, joggers, swimwear, handbags, and countless accessories. What once symbolised stealth and strategy evolved into a marker of individuality and attitude.

One of the most recognisable intersections of military function and fashion, khaki’s story begins in the colonial era during the Anglo-Sikh Wars. Faced with the impracticality of bright red and white European uniforms, British and Indian troops sought a more effective form of camouflage. In 1848, Henry Lawrence and Harry Lumsden’s Corps of Guides created an earthy hue named khaki.

By the late 19th century, khaki became standard and soon spread to armies across the world. By 1905, companies like Levi Strauss had introduced khakis into their clothing lines, cementing their place in mainstream fashion. What began as a tactical necessity ultimately became a timeless wardrobe essential.

Originally called "paratrooper pants", cargo pants were designed for American paratroopers who needed functionality above all else. These pants gradually moved beyond military use. By the 1990s, they found renewed popularity in youth culture and streetwear, embraced for both their utility and laid-back aesthetic.

Today, cargo pants straddle the line between function and fashion—reimagined by designers yet still rooted in their military origins, proving that practicality never goes out of style.

Combat boots were designed with one purpose in mind—durability. Built to withstand harsh terrain and extreme conditions, they offered soldiers protection, ankle support, and resilience unmatched by ordinary footwear.

Their journey into civilian fashion accelerated beyond military surplus, gaining cultural significance through counterculture movements. From punk and grunge to modern streetwear, combat boots are now symbols of rebellion, strength, and individuality.

Also read: Kilroy Was Here: When Faujis Leave Their Mark on Civvy Street

Born in the royal stables of 19th-century Jodhpur, jodhpurs have a rich past connected to the Indian military tradition. Frustrated by restrictive Western riding breeches, Sir Pratap Singh reworked the Indian churidar into a smarter, more functional trouser—roomy at the hips for ease on horseback and sharply tapered below the knee for control.

This striking design caught global attention in 1897 when the Jodhpur Polo Team wore them to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Swiftly adopted by British cavalry and elite riders, jodhpurs became a symbol of command and refinement, eventually stepping beyond military ranks into global fashion as an enduring icon of authority and elegance.

Military influence in fashion runs far deeper than we often realise. It shapes not just what we wear, but how we talk about style. The fashion world freely borrows the language of warfare—fashion artillery, armoured silhouettes, wardrobe weaponry.

Beyond aesthetics, military fashion has also challenged and reshaped gender norms. For women, military-inspired clothing symbolised freedom from restrictive Victorian dress codes. For men, structured tailoring, strong shoulders, and utilitarian details reinforced traditional ideas of masculinity. Pieces like the peacoat blurred these boundaries early on, becoming one of fashion’s first truly unisex garments.

Today, as fashion moves toward fluidity and function, military aesthetics continue to resonate—seen in oversized field jackets, tactical details, and utilitarian silhouettes that transcend gender altogether. The battlefield may be far away, but its influence marches on through our wardrobes.

If this blend of military history and civilian style intrigues you, Unfolded: Fauji Speaks on Civvy Street is a must-read, where uniforms, language, and everyday life meet in unexpected ways.

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