Para/Military Wear
Many of these clothing items are popular as second-hand or vintage clothing due to their
durability and quality, timeless aesthetic, cultural and historical value, sustainability, affordability, and trend influence.
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Category
Term
Definition
Example
Accessories
Aviator Sunglasses
Protective sunglasses originally designed for pilots, characterized by their teardrop shape.
Aviators are a classic accessory that bridges utility and style.
Brass Buttons
Shiny, decorative buttons traditionally used on naval uniforms.
The brass buttons on this blazer evoke a maritime aesthetic.
Cartridge Belt
A belt with loops or pouches for holding ammunition.
Zulu warriors adapted cartridge belts from colonial armies during the Anglo-Zulu War.
Dog Tags
Metal identification tags worn by military personnel around the neck.
Dog tags are frequently used as accessories in fashion.
Sam Browne Belt
A leather belt with a diagonal strap, originally for carrying a sword.
The Sam Browne belt is still worn in ceremonial military uniforms.
Sash
A long fabric band worn around the waist or across the shoulder as part of military dress uniforms.
Moroccan and Ottoman soldiers wore sashes to signify rank and decoration.
Cultural and Symbolic Terms
Amulets
Personal charms or talismans worn by soldiers for spiritual protection.
West African soldiers often incorporated amulets into their uniforms.
Chevrons
V-shaped stripes on sleeves or collars indicating rank or years of service.
Chevrons are often incorporated into varsity-style jackets.
Epaulets
Ornamental shoulder pieces on uniforms, originally used to signify rank.
Epaulets add a touch of regality to military-inspired blazers.
Frogging
The gold coloured braid on uniforms to provide extra protection from swords
The Beatles adopted hassar jacket on sg pepper and Hendrix bought aone from mid1800s, Adam Ant bought David Hemming's jacket from charge of the light brigade for his dandy highway man character.
Regalia
Ornamental clothing and accessories signifying rank, achievement, or affiliation.
The regalia of royal guards inspired a couture collection.
Footwear
Bluchers (middle class, 1815 onwards)
Plural of buvher, the commonest of boots. From General Von Blucher, the Prussian chief in general of the Prussian army at the battle of Waterloo . When some clever bootmaker made the now extinct Wellington boot , a humble imitation followed with the handy Blucher, and made quite a fortune.
The factory worker's worn-out bluchers testified to the long hours he spent on the production floor.
Combat Boots
Sturdy, lace-up boots designed for use in military environments.
Combat boots are favored in second-hand stores for their durability and style.
Jutti
Traditional leather shoes with a pointed toe, worn in ceremonial military uniforms in South Asia.
Worn by officers in formal parades and functions.
Puttees
Long strips of cloth wrapped around the lower legs, used for support and protection.
Puttees were standard in British and Indian colonial forces during World War I.
Sandals
Open-toed footwear used in tropical and desert environments.
Egyptian and African troops often used sandals for mobility in harsh climates.
Spats
Cloth or leather coverings for shoes, historically used by officers for ceremonial purposes.
Spats were reimagined in high-end collections as a nod to vintage elegance.
Headwear
Beret
A round, flat hat often associated with military uniforms, especially in specialized units.
The French Army's green beret symbolizes elite paratrooper units.
Bush Hat
A wide-brimmed hat designed to protect soldiers from the sun in tropical environments.
The bush hat's practical design is perfect for outdoor adventures.
Conical Hat
A pointed hat made of bamboo or palm leaves, used in East and Southeast Asian militaries for sun protection.
Vietnamese soldiers used conical hats during the Vietnam War.
Kepi
Legionnaires’ cylindrical, flat-topped, brimmed white kepi is quite recognizable.
Pagri (Head Wrap)
A fabric wrap traditionally worn in South Asian and Middle Eastern armies, signifying rank or region.
The Maratha Light Infantry wears the pagri in ceremonial parades.
Pith Helmet
A lightweight, sun-protective helmet made of cork, commonly used in tropical climates.
Worn by British and Indian troops in colonial campaigns; now a historical and symbolic piece.
Shemagh
A traditional Middle Eastern scarf used by military personnel to protect against harsh weather conditions.
The shemagh became a streetwear icon, blending cultural and functional elements.
Tarboush (Fez)
A red, cylindrical hat with a tassel, worn as part of ceremonial uniforms in Ottoman armies.
The tarboush became part of the Egyptian military's formal attire in the 19th century.
Turban
A traditional headdress made by wrapping fabric around the head, used for ceremonial and functional purposes.
Sikh regiments in the Indian Army wear turbans as part of their uniform, symbolizing identity and heritage.
Outerwear
Bomber Jacket
A short, durable jacket originally created for pilots, often featuring a fitted waist and cuffs.
Bomber jackets are now a staple in casual fashion.
Choga
A long, flowing coat used in Central Asian and Afghan armies.
Officers in Afghan regiments wear chogas during formal events.
Field Jacket
A lightweight, multipocket jacket designed for soldiers in combat or outdoor settings.
The M-65 field jacket is a quintessential military-inspired piece in fashion.
Flight Jacket
A lightweight jacket originally designed for pilots, often with a zip front and fitted waist.
The MA-1 flight jacket became a staple of streetwear.
Jellabiya
A loose, ankle-length robe commonly worn in Arab and African militaries for comfort in hot climates.
Egyptian soldiers wore jellabiyas during campaigns in the 19th century.
Kaftan
A long, loose robe used in African and Middle Eastern armies for ceremonial purposes.
Worn by Nigerian military officers during state events.
Peacoat
A double-breasted wool coat originally worn by naval forces.
Vintage peacoats are a sought-after fashion item.
Trench Coat
A long, water-resistant coat developed for soldiers in WWI trenches, featuring epaulets and storm flaps.
The trench coat remains a timeless piece in both men's and women's wardrobes.
Specialized Gear
Brigandine
A garment with small metal plates sewn between layers of fabric, historically used in Persian and Mughal armies.
Influenced modern tactical vests with hidden reinforcement.
Flight Suit
A one-piece garment designed for pilots, made to be flame-resistant and functional.
Flight suits have inspired jumpsuits seen on runways worldwide.
Ghillie Suit
A camouflaged outfit resembling foliage, used by snipers for concealment.
The ghillie suit inspired avant-garde runway looks mimicking nature.
Kevlar Vest
A bullet-resistant vest made of woven Kevlar fibers, used for personal protection.
Kevlar vests influence the structure of modern tactical fashion.
Lamellar Armor
Traditional armor made of small, rectangular plates laced together, used in East Asian and Middle Eastern armies.
Samurai and Mongol warriors incorporated lamellar designs.
Parachute Pants
Lightweight trousers inspired by the materials and styles used in parachuting gear.
Parachute pants were a key trend in 1980s streetwear.
Trousers
Camouflage Trousers
Pants with camouflage patterns, designed to help soldiers blend into their environment.
Camo trousers have become a staple in street fashion.
Cargo Pants
Pants with multiple large pockets, originally designed for carrying supplies and tools.
Cargo pants' utilitarian aesthetic makes them a staple of urban fashion.
Churidars
Tight-fitting trousers that gather at the ankles, worn in South Asian military dress uniforms.
Indian cavalry officers wear churidars with long coats for ceremonial occasions.
Hakama
Traditional wide-legged trousers worn by Japanese samurai and military personnel.
Hakama-inspired designs can still be seen in Japanese ceremonial uniforms.
Shalwar Kameez
A traditional South Asian outfit consisting of a tunic and baggy trousers, used in military uniforms.
Pakistan's military includes a shalwar kameez as part of its service uniform.
Uniform Styles
Battle Dress Uniform (BDU)
Standardized military attire used for combat situations, often characterized by camouflage patterns.
The BDU's woodland pattern became popular in streetwear during the 1990s.
Camo (Camouflage)
Patterns designed to blend into natural environments, now widely used in fashion.
Camo print transcends its military origins, becoming a streetwear staple.
Dress Blues
The formal uniform worn by military personnel for ceremonial occasions.
Designers often draw inspiration from the crisp lines of dress blues.
Fatigues
A term used to describe casual military work uniforms, often made in camouflage or olive drab.
The fatigues' rugged style appeals to fans of vintage clothing.
Khaki
A light brown or tan color originally used for British military uniforms.
Khaki pants are a versatile wardrobe essential for casual wear. In the 1840s, soldiers in the Indian Army - British and native soldiers serving under British officers — began to wear drab-coloured clothes to standardize variations in the uniforms of native troops from different regions. Soldiers are said to have used tea, curry powder and mud to dye their clothes the same colour, which became known as khaki, from the Urdu word meaning ‘dust’, and was made the official uniform for the British advance into Abyssinia in 1867.
Kurta
A long tunic worn by soldiers in South Asian armies, particularly during ceremonial duties.
Indian Army officers wear embroidered kurtas during official functions.
Landsknechkt
Landsknecht dress was a vibrant rebellion against sumptuary laws, designed to restrict clothing based on social class.
Their flamboyant style, featuring slashing, puffing, and bold colors, flaunted wealth and status. Exemptions granted by rulers like Maximilian I allowed them to defy these laws, transforming clothing into a symbol of their independence and martial prowess. Pluderhosen, slashed doublets, and ornate hats became hallmarks of this defiance. This extravagant fashion, a stark contrast to the era's regulated attire, reflected the Landsknecht's unique position as powerful, often unruly, mercenaries.
Mess Dress
A formal evening uniform worn by officers at social events.
The mess dress inspired luxurious eveningwear collections.
T-shirt
A t-shirt is a short-sleeved, typically cotton, garment for the upper body.
1898 Spanish American civil war US Navy undergarment. Then post WW2 when thrift stores filled c surplus army t shirts, youths adopted it.
Tunic
A long coat-like garment used universally in many armies, often tailored for ceremonial use.
The Chinese Army used Mao-style tunics as part of their formal attire.
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