The Fatigue Feeling

The versatility and style of Fatigue Pants

I wear chinos all the time. I’m not one for wearing a uniform, but I’ve almost adopted one. It could be worse, I guess; there are worse ways to dress for a day’s work.

It’s no breakthrough when I say I trawl through Pinterest for inspiration; that’s what it’s made for.

I was scanning through tonnes of pictures, looking for an outfit I liked that contained similar items I already owned.

Then I saw the answer staring right in front of me. The lightbulb turned on, and the voice inside my head said, 'Aaah!'

I’d found endless pictures of fatigue pants, and I wanted the look.

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Like chinos, fatigues started their lives in men’s wardrobes as military uniforms.

They were lightweight but hard-wearing, often made from a herringbone or twill fabric, and even though they were made for the battlefield and hard labour, they look great with a casual jacket and even a tie.

The relaxed, wide fit of the trousers makes them a great option for everyday wear. I find they’re great for long walks around the city, and even in the countryside.

Something they have over chinos or khakis is that they normally come in olive green, which makes them perfect walking attire due to their ability to conceal muddy stains.

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Stan Ray is known for their quality fatigue pants; they’re a popular choice that’s showcased well here.

Denim or jean jackets complement fatigue pants so well. They’re both garments crafted for wear and tear, made from materials built to withstand the toughest of environments. When paired together, their soft but strong colourways complement each other perfectly.

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Whether or not these pleated trousers are officially fatigues could be argued, but the color is a great example of how a pair of fatigues could work well within this look.

I really like this styling by Labour Union; a colour palette has been chosen, and every piece draws its hue from the tie worn. It’s a good way to start an outfit, I suppose. Find a tie with a colour scheme you like, and draw from there.

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If you’re looking to splash out and treat yourself while buying a real premium pair of fatigue pants, look no further than Drake’s.

Drake’s is known for its high price point, but with that comes exceptional quality.

They’re crafted from a cotton-linen blend, which means you get the hard-wearing element you’d expect from a good pair of fatigues, paired with lightweight, soft material for comfort, meaning you can wear them even in the summer. They were crafted for the jungle, after all!

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That’s just the high end of the spectrum, and I don’t necessarily think spending a huge amount of money will get you the best pair of fatigues out there.

Why not buy vintage?

Buy a pair of military surplus made to spec for the tough environments they were originally intended for.

There are tons of vintage shops that sell these across the UK, not to mention the US!

But if you’re not keen on hunting them down, eBay has plenty of options too.

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Men often shy away from green pants. We’re told to wear denim for casual occasions and suit trousers when we need to make an effort.

That isn’t—and shouldn’t be—the case at all

You’d happily wear a green t-shirt with an indigo pair of jeans; just flip the colours around. It’ll look great. It’s a subtle change but one that’ll make you stand out.

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Blue and green should never be seen? Stop it. Anyone can learn a catchphrase, but those who dress the best are the ones who not only prove it all wrong but also don’t care about it.

Thanks for reading,

Tom