Military clothing is without a doubt one of the cornerstones of a good vintage store. Military rigs are designed with strong emphasis on from and functionality. Which is partially why they are so versatile, and why they have stood the test of time, so well. As we’re not warmongers, we’re more interested in how these clothes are adopted outside the military.
The two World Wars in the early 20th century had a huge impact on our wardrobe. The scarcity of materials after and during the wars, created a demand for more durable and practical clothing in civilian life. Good examples of these garments are the trench coats and the bomber jackets.
The post-war youth started to rebel against the old norms which created a surge of subcultures like mods in England and bikers in California. Both of whom shared the love for bikes and embraced the rugged fashion. Maybe the most notable jackets being worn were the now iconic N-1 deck jacket to fishtail parka.
By the late 60’s, the youth had started to oppose the ongoing Vietnam War. This is when we start to see people wearing military clothing while protesting the war and fighting for civil rights. Field jackets and shirts became a uniform for those who, not only fought on the front lines, but who fought for human rights on the home front. This was also shown on, how the rockstars of the era appeared in public. One of the most memorable being John Lennon, who wore a OG-107 type 3 field shirt gifted by Korean War vet former US Army Sgt. Peter James Reinhardt. By the next decade army greens had gotten to a point, that they hade a cameo in most films. New wave films such as Serpico, Taxi Driver and Jaws, all showcased various military articles.
70’s recession and political unrest gave birth to new subcultures. The punk movement with its anti-establishment ethos and hip hop as a voice of the projects, took the military garms to a new level. Woodland camouflage and combat boot morphed into different type of authority symbols to challenge societal norms, thanks to the functional design and availability in the surplus stores.
Beyond its practical and stylistic contributions, military clothes carrie a deep symbolic meaning. They are very complex to say the least. For many they represent strength, resilience and discipline. And these associations have made them a powerful tool for self-expression and a great source of inspiration for many designers and creatives.
The historical significance of military clothing in civilian life is a testament to its enduring influence. And believe it or not, military attire has shaped the way we dress, challenging and redefining societal norms along the way. As the trends change the legacy of military style remains a vital red thread in our wardrobe.
Rail full of vintage military clothes from 40’s to 00’s available on next Wednesday the 12th of March at your local vintage dealership.
Comments