New York — Camouflage may help combat troops blend into their surroundings, but fashion's foot soldiers are sporting the military-inspired look to help them stand out in a crowd.
This isn't the typical olive drab, though. Camouflage patterns are adorning everything from evening wear to underwear. Unexpected additions and fabrics, including sequins, cashmere, georgette and silk, give a more feminine, luxurious feel to the no-nonsense design.
Nicole Miller's camouflage pants featured at her fall 2000 runway show helped spark the current camouflage trend.
Designer Nicole Miller began showing camouflage for fall 2000, and reintroduced the look for spring 2001.
"It's a little edgy, a little tough, it's boyish," says Miller. She explains that she was drawn to camouflage because it is a classic pattern. Moreover, most countries have a specific military camouflage design, offering a seemingly endless source of inspiration.
Mixing military looks with fashion is nothing new to Burberry, the British brand that was established in 1856 and is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Thomas Burberry designed a raincoat back in 1901 that became regulation gear during World War I.
Jump ahead to this season and Burberry is offering a bathing suit, large shoulder bag, floppy hat and mules all in a camouflage print.
Samira Nasr, a fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar, says the trend originated on the street.
"It's been an underground thing, kids wearing it and having to get it at the army surplus store," she says. "And the designers have thought to transform it into something beautiful."
And, she adds, a camouflage bikini, dress or little top is more sexy than militaristic.
"The silhouette will make it flirty."
Chris Hansen, the executive vice president of marketing for large-size retailer Lane Bryant, also picked up on the "flirty" camouflage look.
"I think the biggest trend will be in intimate apparel," she says, noting the popularity of camouflage thongs and bras.
But trend-conscious dress-ers shouldn't go overboard with the look. Too much of it is a major faux-pas.
"When it looks it could be a uniform, you know you're wearing more than you should be," Hansen says.
Although camouflage will be a hit for spring and summer, many in the fashion industry agree that, like most hot trends, it won't stay in style forever.
"After this summer, that's gonna be it," according to Miller. "But don't throw it away. Put it back in your closet, save it for another season."
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