Crazy about camouflage

Camouflage prints are hot favourites this season with celebrities, youngsters and college-goers making military-inspired style statements at different occasions. Once considered rough and tough, the print has undergone a massive makeover and is now available in different hues and patterns. Alia Bhatt, John Abraham, Kangana Ranaut and the whole of the B-Town brigade has been seen flaunting the print at several occasions recently — be it red carpet events or simply while walking in and out of airports looking travel-ready.

Youngsters are adding their cool quotient to this raging trend too. Camo is a very masculine print; hence it looks cool on women who want to sport a slightly more powerful and rebel chic sort of look, believes Yashodhara Sharma, a Miranda House student. “Personally, I am a big fan of the camo printed accessories and clothing. From camo printed bags, pumps and dresses to stoles and jumpsuits, I like to experiment with the print and wear it in the most unexpected ways possible. What I like about this interesting print is that it adds just a hint of the tough-girl edge to an overall look, be it casual or formal,” she says and adds, “I like to accessorise it right, and that helps me avoid looking too boyish. I mostly jazz up the look by adorning simple metallic jewellery in silver — that adds a feminine touch but at the same time, I ensure that it is not overdone. The best part about camo is that it can be easily paired with basic wardrobe essentials like solid black, white and other neutral tees.”

Military print never goes out of fashion and keeps coming back in different forms and avatars. Fashion stylist Rishi Raj says, “The trend has made a comeback; this time it is not just restricted to clothing but one has an interesting array of accessories to experiment with. Camo-tinted glasses, underwears, shoes and socks are some fun elements to play with the theme this season.” He goes on to caution, however, that the print is best carried with subtlety. he says, “Limit yourself to one camo piece at a time, if you don’t want to look like a commando.”

He adds, “Don’t have it all over you, unless you are Gwen Stefani or Nicki Minaj who can carry off an entire jumpsuit made out of the print. Just add it as a personality quirk or add it like a little bit of a twist to your outfit. Also, choose the kind or the scale of the print (big or small patches) carefully depending on your body type, as it can make or break your look. You can end up looking wannabe, tacky and totally out of shape or you can look really sleek and stylish. College-goers can add surprise elements to their look by keeping it minimal with accessories like camo print shoes, bands or earrings. Try to add sneak peeks of it in your outfit rather than making your entire outfit with it alone.”

For fashion designer Urvashi Kaur, military print in a casual avatar looks perfect. “It is one of those unique prints that is unisexual in its appeal. However, I don’t see the print on a mature customer or a middle-aged lady. It is definitely suited to a younger market that can add a cool vibe to it. Completely depending on your personality and body type, you can mix and match the print to give a grunge look, rock look or a causal smart look. Although the print is typically associated with power, aggression and authority but when used in clothing and accessories, it can bring forth a bit of playfulness around it.”

Another college youngster from the capital, Nikhil Dwivedi feels that investing in some eye-catching camouflage prints has helped him attract a decent amount of female attention on his campus. “The burgeoning trend for camouflage prints is certainly gaining ground. It has certainly found a whole new lease of life, popping up on everything from biker jackets to dress shirts and accessories. Keeping in sync with the trend, I recently purchased a black pair of camo sunglasses and a pair of tapered cotton military-print pants and they are proving perfect to beat the heat while looking stylish,” he says.

Supermodel Amit Ranjan who is a big fan of military inspired clothing concludes, “Military is classic cool; it is iconic and cult and seeing a resurgence, proving once again the cyclic nature of fashion. For young men out there, there is nothing more appealing than military boots or camo-tinted glasses. If you can get epaulettes, sport them as badges. For college kids in the city, Gopinath Bazaar in Delhi Cantt. is a great place to shop for all such fun things.”