Workwear has been a mainstay of menswear for quite some time
(think work jackets, overalls, postman (or derby) shoes), but more recently the
trend has taken functionality one step further. In recent seasons we have seen
how fly fishing jackets look on the catwalks. There are models who wear science
fiction utility belts. And most of the time there is what has been called my
large part of the industry as the core of the war.
It was not just the uniform of manual labor roles that
conquered the fashion houses,
but also the utility
equipment of the battlefield. Sure, the MA-1 bomber jackets and camo print are
proof we've been borrowing from the battlefield for quite some time, but we're
talking about a complete overhaul of the outfit for the next leg of the trend.
The slim silhouettes have been improved and replaced by
baggy cargo pants with numerous pockets. The catwalks were flooded with utility
bags, vests, and thick-soled shoes from everyone from Louis Vuitton to Alyx to
Landlord. Textures and technical features, such as impact- and bullet-resistant
fabrics, specially made for the front line, have been kept in street-ready
designs, with some believing that today's obsession with fashion is too easy.
hyperbole, in the middle of a coming apocalypse. Arm yourself!
Off the catwalks and also in stores,
military-inspired clothing is now a regular feature.
"Brands like Engineered Garments, Beams Plus, Stussy are perfect modern
interpretations of these iconic shapes and they are always a highlight for
us," says Joe Warner, Head of Sales and Brand Goodhood.
These forms were well received by streetwear fans and
fashion week street stylers with the term “utilitarian” throwing a wide net and
allowing a lot of eccentricity in the wardrobe. And, as mentioned, there is no famine
of pockets.
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Some will simply go for an earthy tan and khaki palette,
while others may go for a military-inspired war core and engage in a camo
print, cargo textures, and various key pieces. This is what makes the trend so
popular - not only is it successful on key pieces, it's simple to make a
statement.
3 WAYS TO WEAR IT
LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT + CROSSBODY BAG + ANTI CARGO TROUSERS
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The biggest benefit of utilitarian clothing is functionality.
However, that doesn't mean it drinks to be a compromise between functionality
and style. The right piece can easily be integrated into your everyday outfit
to give it a modern touch.
An easy way to make this work without dipping more than one finger into the trend is to base your look on a simple utility vest. The vest shape isn't too disruptive so go black and keep everything else simple and it will do all the heavy lifting for you.
Layer over a long-sleeved white T-shirt to keep the theme
simple; don't get too big, but make sure all your pieces have a laid-back
touch. And break the look with baggy streetwear pants (choose a non-cargo style
to take the trend lightly) and finish with some new tech sneakers.
UTILITY JACKET + CARGO TROUSERS + BOOTS
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Here's an sample of how you can boldly use the utilitarian
trend without looking like you've looted a surplus store. Look for a
utility-style jacket with pockets and epaulettes, but look for one that's short
or obviously made by a fashion designer, not someone who's building an army.
Wear it with cargo pants again, but once again, make it a
fashion decision by looking for an oversized pair that no one in their right
mind would wear in battle.
For a finishing touch, try accentuating the look with camo,
but in a piece that doesn't have the military undertone, like a bob.
FIELD JACKET + CARGO TROUSERS + LARGE SOLES
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If you're more enthusiastic to experiment, we can tweak things a bit. Camouflage print was typically designed to keep you hidden, but in a military jacket it's an easy way to stand out. The crucial is to let the print shine through and surround it with simple shades and maintain an earthy palette at all times.