Ready or not, camouflage is back on the radar.
Some trends flare up for a season only to fade away. Remember those hats your friends used to wear? We don’t. Other styles stick around, surviving the unforgiving test of time to be forever adored. Camouflage is one of them.
A pattern that protects, a pattern that provokes.
Its resurgence was more than predictable. According to retail analytics firm Edited, demand for camou pants spiked 12% year-on-year, and fashion platform Culted reported a staggering 2995% increase in Pinterest searches for “camouflage outfits” recently.
@culted
Where exactly did this now-universal pattern originate? As most know, camouflage began its journey as a military staple. When we trace it back, the first known instance dates to 1929 with the Italian Telo Mimetico pattern. Initially, it wasn’t even used for clothing, being first employed as a deisgn for tents and rain covers. But by 1942, it had found its way into the uniforms of Italian paratroopers. From there, the pattern's influence spread worldwide, becoming a staple of military attire through the early '90s.
Telo Mimetico-printed military uniforms ⓒblightymilitaria.com
Before Telo Mimetico came onto the scene, military attire looked entirely different from country to country. Take for example the iconic red uniforms of the British Army, known as the Redcoats, or the French Army’s bold navy-blue battle dress—most uniforms were dominated by vivid, highly visible colors. Why? Think about the weapons of the time. Swords, bows, and early muskets with limited range and rate of fire meant that close-quarters combat was inevitable, and bright uniforms helped soldiers quickly tell friend from foe.
Movie <Barry Lyndon, 1975> ⓒarteis.wordpress.com
As the 19th century progressed, weaponry evolved. By the time World War I hit, soliders had better weapons with longer ranges. Naturally, the easily spotted uniforms of old days were not only no longer suitable—they dangerously turned soldiers into easy targets.
Militaries quickly realised the need to majorly overhaul their uniforms. The focus of uniforms shifted to concealment. With more and more elements of warfare becoming long-range, it was critical to keep soldiers hidden to minimize casualties. The new approach drew inspiration from nature’s own survival mechanisms, borrowing camouflage strategies that living organisms use to protect themselves from predators. And so, the camouflage pattern as we know it today was born.
The first digital camouflage pattern developed by O’Neill ⓒwikipedia.org
In 1970, U.S. Army officer Timothy O’Neill sparked another revolution by developing digital camouflage, a pattern made up of small, square pixels. Initially, there was concern that the unnatural and blocky design would be more noticeable, not less. Tests proved otherwise—human eyes interpreted the scattered pixels as blurred, organic shapes. As you can guess, Digital camo was found to be even more effective when compared with traditional blotch-style camouflage. The Canadian military was the first to fully adopt the digital pattern across its forces, and thanks to its simple design and easy-to-print fabric, the pattern gained widespread use worldwide by the 2000s.
Canadian military uniform featuring digital camouflage ⓒtatler.com
Camouflage as Fashion
Fashion has long drawn inspiration from camouflage. Seemingly chaotic at first glance, within the disorder lies an underlying pattern that when reimagined in a variety of colors becomes undeniably beautiful. Ironically, what was once designed to conceal is now one of modern fashion’s primary ways of standing out.
1017 ALYX 9SM SS25, BAPE FW24 ⓒvogue.com
Let’s look at the latest camo trends in 2024, starting by decoding some of the latest collections featuring this iconic pattern. First and foremost is the king of camo himself, Pharrell Williams. In his debut SS24 collection at Louis Vuitton, he took the house's signature Damier pattern and merged it with camouflage to create “Damouflage”. Daringly blending his own identity with the brand's heritage while still avoiding disrupting its iconic codes, we can’t help but be impressed by the finesse shown in his execution here.
Louis Vuitton SS24 ⓒvogue.com
An even more evovled take on camouflage can be seen Roberto Cavalli’s Resort 2024 collection. Still sticking to the classic green and khaki palette, the look is elevated by incorporating prints of natural elements and playing with contrasting fabric textures. The result? A more demure, luxurious interpretation of the camo look.
Roberto Cavalli 2024 RESORT ⓒvogue.com
And then there’s Dior. The house’s camouflage feels uniquely romantic, with various shades of green blending seamlessly into one another. Oversized jackets, a key feature of this year’s camo trend, soften the intensity of the pattern, creating a perfect balance between boldness and elegance—true to Dior's vision.
Dior 2025 RESORT ⓒvogue.com
You can also spot camouflage’s diverse transformations in the latest looks from GUCCI, Andersson Bell, and BURBERRY. GUCCI emphasized intricate detailing and refreshing mint colors, while Andersson Bell added its own twist with bold hues and statement pockets. BURBERRY, on the other hand, softened the pattern with warm, cozy tones that perfectly complement the season. The we have to ask now is—just what are the limits of this versatile pattern?
GUCCI 2025 RESORT, Andersson Bell SS24
BURBERRY FW24, Collina Strada SS25
Chopova Lowena FW24 ⓒelle.com, ⓒvogue.com
Sound the trumpet of victory.
Possibilities with camouflage are endless. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to blend seamlessly with any color—bright or dark, muted or bold. That’s why we’re saying camo pants are a must-have for this fall. All you have to do is pair them with any top and you’ve already got a stylish fit ready to go.
Rihanna wearing camouflage pants @wwd.com
Moreso than with other patterns, switching up what’s on your feet when wearing camo can also completely transform the vibe of your fit. Opting for a pair of sleek, more feminine shoes to contrast with camo’s inherent toughness will come together to create a strikingly unexpected mood. A careful balance of cool but sexy that both looks and feels refreshingly progressive.
Bella Hadid matching camouflage pants and heels @popsugar.com
Sneakers or boots are also great classic options to highlight the original charm of camouflage. Are you aiming for a sporty vibe that feels different from the typical athleisure look? It would honestly be hard for you to go wrong with this combo. To fully embrace the trend, try pairing sneakers with wide-fit pants for the more ultra-modern edge.
ⓒpinterest, ⓒstussy
The final boss and real star of camo is undoubtedly the jacket. Combine its vibrant color patterns with the subtle weight it carries when casually thrown on, camo jackets offer a flair that is unmatchable by your ordinary work jacket. Layered over a classic outfit, a camo jacket instantly becomes the focal point, catching looks anywhere you go. We know you’re out shopping for some new outerwear now that it’s fall time. Take a moment to think about all the outfit combinations even the simplest of camo jackets could open up for you.
ⓒwmagazine.com, ⓒotokomaeken.com, ⓒpinterest
Camouflage is a reflection of the kind of relationship we all strive for. It holds its own without ever overpowering, somehow always blending seamlessly with everything around it in a perfect balance. The way each color respects the others’ space and comes together to form a pattern that’s greater than the sum of its parts is this designs true strength, perfect harmony.
