Camouflage is one trend that never seems to disappear, but it’s back with a bang this Autumn!
There’s no doubt that camouflage print has seen a comeback in popularity over the past couple of years as a contemporary trend. The resurgence of the print in hip hop and urban fashion is self-evident. From cut-off shorts, to bags; and most popularly throw over jackets, it’s solidified itself as a staple. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that camo was the new black but with artists such as Lil Wayne, Drake, Dom Kennedy, Teyana Taylor & even Big Sean, to name a few, sporting the prints almost religiously, it’s obvious that it’s become reborn as another embodiment of “swag’.

Who remembers Missy Elliot in that pink one-piece camouflage motif. I’m pretty sure you can all recollect a vision of DMX in some sort of camo-clad ensemble. So what is it about the military motif that’s meant it’s rebirth into contemporary fashion? How did it ever find its way into urban fashion at all?
Understanding Youth In Late Modernity by Alan France would attribute the peak in the prevalence of the camouflage print in to the Jamaican Rude Boys subculture, who heavily influenced urban lifestyles in the 1970s. Staples transferred included khaki motifs as well as musical and linguistic impact on existing cultural forms.
Notables such as the Boot Camp Clik, Mobb Deep and even Capone and N.O.R.E rocked camouflage motif ensembles that emblazoned the patterned design all over the 90s. From album and mixtape covers to group photographs; it represented Hip Hop - it represented urban culture. It was a little piece of the movement of which everyone could grab hold.
Well, it’s pretty explainable why initially rappers would want to gravitate towards the motif because of it’s army roots and the want to embody its hard, strong characteristics. But surely this isn’t the reason why every self-professed swaggerdon has jumped on the trend?
Even the Rugby Ralph Lauren line in Japan experienced a previous successful response to their camo release, so much so that a few weeks ago they presented a new collection of bags following that same pattern, with an added skull & cross bone monogram motif. Priced between £110 and £127; it’s clear that on all levels camo is here to stay for a little while longer.

Check out below some of our favourite camo pieces;

Nike x Stussy Camo Sky Force 88 Mid £90.00. Available at the Hideout Store

and this Stussy Deluxe Brown Camo Shirt for £176.00 also available at the Hideout…

Penfield Ottawa Jacket Camo £160.00. Available at Present, Shoreditch.

A collaborative Peas & Carrots Intl t-shirt £19. Available from Twelve Bar.
Lastly, a piece from Topman perhaps for those of you off on a late holiday:

Camouflage Arc Leg Shorts £32.00.
What do you think about the whole trend? Played out? Stylish when worn well? Let us know!
[First Published On SBTV.CO.UK/BLOG]
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