Camouflage....

As everyone can see, camouflage is emerging from everywhere. It seems like overnight it appeared on every article of clothing and every accessory. This print that was used in military and is now the hot must have. My obsession started when I first actually saw the print on a pair of women's JCrew pants. I saw it paired with loafers and then my obession kicked in, what if men had that. I always felt that women naturally take risk with what they wear. They mix prints, colors, fabrics, and accesories to create the prefect look. Men however stick with the basics, which nothing is wrong with that but its BORING. I feel that without taking some form of a risk, you will just blend in with everyone else.
Camouflage is really that risk. It doesn't "match" anything but it can blend well with everything, coordinating over matching.
Camouflage pants can be worn casual, urban, grunge, and even business. I'm going to walk you through how to pair this perfect print to what you already have in your closet..
Casual... when you think casual you typically think.... "At the office"... and this is exactly what it is. You usually pair chinos with a button-up and cardigan and call it a look but why not try a print. Try pairing a pair of camouflage pants with a striped button-up and leave out the cardigan, your comfort zone. Buy a button-up with a pocket and add a pocket square to add that much needed accessory to make the outfit a outfit. I understand the print with the stripes might be a bit much but it will make a silent statement. Depending on the fit of the pants you can tuck the shirt in and go with a plain belt to tie everything together. What to do on the feet.... stick with a camel loafer, I recommend Cole Haan. The loafer is usually what the office man is used to. If you still wearing boat shoes, kick them. The boat shoe allows you to stay in your comfort zone and who really wants to do that.
Urban.... when people think of "urban" they think of baggy, big, and large but really urban is another word for streetwear. This is probably the easiest way to pull off these pants. Just grab a varsity jacket, plain fitted v-neck, pants, and sneakers and you got a look. For a varsity jacket, my best advice is to thrift. I feel the best ones are with a little cracked leather, in this case the more worn in the better. If you aren't in to thrifting the other alternative is H&M. They do varsity jackets typically during spring and fall. I feel the best v-neck shirts are the ones with cashmere blends. You can go to Club Monoco usually and catch one on sale. Now for shoes, I suggest sneakers such as New Balances or Nike Trainers but you could even do Jordans if you really feeling out there.
Grunge (my favorite)... A style that went away and came back, the grunge is definitely something everyone is trying to pull off. I would suggest pairing a long T by Alexander Wang T-shirt or oversized American Apparel crew neck. For the feet, vintage combat boots are the best.
Business... this is the best one, how do you put camouflage pants with a blazer, easy. Camouflage pants actually look great with blazers, especially Navy. I suggest staying away from gold hardwar. Make sure the blazer is tailored and has very clean lines. Make sure you don't use a suit jacket as a blazer, something done way too often. I recommend a solid color button-up underneath, white or blue preferred. I also suggest a solid color pocket square just to add a pop of color. For shoes I suggest wing tips, great pick.
As you can see these one pair of pants can be worn many different way and I want to see how you wear them. This whole month I'm taking submissions to blog about.... Send them in to jared.goodloe@gmail.com.