It may be the dead of summer but most women are already preparing their wardrobes for fall. So I’m dedicating August to the most talked-about trends of the season — from leopard print accessories to black leather — and, today, military inspired jackets. Designers including Vanessa Bruno (who just opened an L.A. store), Andrew Gn and Junya Watanabe showed the look on their fall runways. But it is also one of the most wearable aspects of going army without actually enlisting. Here are some of our favorites:
Veda Jones Jacket, $396. shopbop.com
Veda, a fairly young label that launched in 2008, is known for great leather jackets and vests. And I’m certain this leather-accented piece will be one of the “it” jackets for fall. I am obsessed with the 100% black leather sleeves because they add enough of an edge without the intensity of a full leather jacket. In other words, you won’t look like a dominatrix when pairing it with a leather boot or pant.
Topshop Overhead Parka, $125. topshop.com
There are loads of military jackets out there but I haven’t seen any that are pullover style. And I love its lightweight, doubles-as-a-top design because I don’t have to take it off immediately upon arriving at a destination. The drawstring waist also makes it flattering for all body types, a major plus.
Burberry Prorsum Wool and Silk-Blend Military Jacket , $1,995. net-a-porter.com
Burberry makes the best tailored pieces. And this silk and wool jacket is no exception. It’s dressier than many of the military jackets on the market, but stand out details including posture-correcting raised-shoulders and a ruffled back make this piece perfect for the office (pair it with a pencil skirt) and beyond (with skinny jeans and over the knee boots).
Marc by Marc Jacobs Fur Collar Twill Jacket , $598. saks.com
Granted a parka is not the most useful item to have in Southern California, but a parka with a coyote-fur collar is worth sweating over. This twill coat adds ease to dressier outfits and panache to leggings and a T-shirt. And with a hidden drawstring waist, it can easily skim a figure.
Barbour Beadnell Jacket , $379, bestgear.com
John Barbour started making durable wax-coated jackets in 1894. And in the past few years the iconic company has made an imprint in the fashion world by collaborating with Opening Ceremony on a collection of coats that were pretty terrific. I personally love classic jackets and nothing is more classic than the Beadnell, coated in the brand’s famous Thornproof wax. This particular jacket is a medium weight and comes with a removable lining. And it will likely literally last forever.
Photo at top: Fall 2010 runway looks by, from left, Andrew Gn, Junya Watanabe and Vanessa Bruno. Courtesy Style.com
For those women who are aiming to purchase the real military jacket, there is a lot of advantage since they are made stylish and comfortable. Most women, who love the outdoors, specifically purchase military jackets as they are also cool to wear. For example, the Womens Olive Drab Vintage Jacket is a good fashionable collection for any type of women since it has a 2 front button and flap pockets, sleeve cuffs with 3 buttons, 2 angle zippered chest pockets and they are made 100% cotton like any other inner military clothing and they are collared lightweight. There is also the Womens Vintage Woodland Flyers Jacket, which can also be good for outdoor activities or just to use as part of fashionable clothing. They are made of 100% cotton outer shell, 100% polyester lining, in vintage washed woodland camo, and with epaulets and neck closure.