Glamouflauge: 5 things to know about camo-chic
Call it Glamouflage.
John Galliano's 2001 strapless camo-print evening dress is drop-dead gorgeous.
It's also the last thing you'd want to wear on a hunting trip.
The elegantly edgy frock is one of several examples of stunning camo fashion featured in the recent "Trendology" exhibit at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.
"After its invention by the military in the early 20th century, camouflage was quickly appropriated by fashion and has repeatedly reemerged," the exhibit's press materials said. "While many trends emerge and fade, certain trends continually resurface-for example, leopard and tartan in addition to camouflage-each time imbued with a new cultural resonance befitting the moment."
Camo print has marched way beyond the realm of hunters and soldiers. Celebs from Reese Witherspoon to Rihanna sport the print at awards ceremonies and on the streets, several of this year's Mobile prom-goers took to the dance floor in daring camo dresses and cummerbunds, and a kaleidoscope of vibrant variations on camo have recently stalked runways all over the world.
In the last two years, designers including Commes des Garcons, Valentino, Perry Ellis and Michael Kors have sent their high fashion interpretations of camo down the catwalk.
At New York's Fall 2013 Fashion Week Kors presented a camo-full collection including a sleek, silky and somewhat futuristic blue, gray and navy camo jacket and pants combo.
That kind of stylish statement camo would get you stomped by a herd of deer or mangled by a bear.
While hunter and soldier camo is all about blending in, fashion camo's mission is standing out in the crowd. And you don't have to have the slightest interest in bagging a buck or enlisting in the armed services to wear it proudly.
Here are five things to know about camo fashion:
1. How to wear it
How you wear camo is half the battle. A recent Cosmopolitan article gave some very valuable tips. Here are a few things to consider: Unless you want to look like a "Duck Dynasty" dude or dudette, refrain from wearing baggy camo from head to toe. Also resist paring camo with animal prints. That's way too much pattern. Try to wear it with solid colors. Mixing camo with bright, eye-catching hues is a good choice. Camo accessories are also a great way to incorporate camo into an outfit. A cute pair of camo booties, camo print purse, belt or clutch can add an instant dose of edge to your ensemble. Mix camo with bling, stilettos or luxurious textures like patent leather to create striking contrasts and memorable evening-wear ensembles. "It's a tougher, more rugged look, and really easy to pull off if you pair it with something more tailored and polished," Redbook fashion director Audrey Slater promdresshouse evening dresses said in a recent New York Daily News story. "It's truly a runaway trend."
2. Floral for Tomboys
In July, Vogue magazine called camo "the tomboy's answer to this season's lush floral prints." And indeed it is a great alternative for the non girlie-girl. Vogue drew attention to a recent "style-war ready" look sported by top model Cara Delevigne. The beauty stepped out in frayed camo print Hudson Jeans, hi-tops and a quilted bomber jacket, creating a chic faux combat ensemble. And the anti-flower fashionista crowd doesn't have to settle for dull grays and greens. There are a flock of camo fashion prints in pink, orange and more brilliant colors.
3. "The leopard print of men's wear"
Fashionable men can also benefit from the cool edge camo adds to an outfit. "Camo is the leopard print of men's wear," Nick Wooster, senior vice president for product development and design at J. C. Penney, said in a recent New York Times article. "It's a safe way for a guy to feel a little bit radical without actually being radical." So if you're a fashion conscious gent who loves prints but doesn't want to overdo it or look too feminine, camo it up! No gun or hunting license required.
4. Mall hunter
In Mobile, you don't have to go far to find pieces for your own cool camo fashion statement. A quick hunt through Bel Air Mall reveals an arsenal of high and casual camo fashion for a wide variety of prices. Dillard's has camo pieces including chic Gianni Bernini booties, rhinestone-lined tanks for juniors, camo print ladies' blouses and a bunch of camo-print Michael Kors bags and wallets. Baby and kids' clothing store Crazy 8 sells camo hoodies for the little ones, teen and tween shop Wet Seal has cheap, cute camo T's and Journeys shoe store stocks cool camo Vans and hats.
5. World War-drobe
Some fashion historians argue that camo tends to pop back into style when the U.S.A is in the midst of armed conflict. "Right after 9-11 it seemed to me there was a real spike in the use of camouflage, especially in high fashion," said Jody Clowes, exhibitions manager at the James Watrous Gallery, part of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters in Madison, in a 2013 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article. Clowes also noted that the camouflage designs created by fashion designers are much different than the types of camo casual-wear a real hunter would choose. According to Clowes, the camo trend is "just surprisingly long-lived...It's got legs."