I've Worn This Trend for 17 Years—and It's Still Going Strong

I remember the first time I desperately needed a camo-printed item. It was 2001 and I was a little 13-year-old fashion boy living in Wisconsin. The piece in question was a pair of camouflage pants from Abercrombie & Fitch. I vividly recall falling in love with the trousers, and couldn’t wait to pair with them with my favorite light-blue button-down shirt.

From there, my adoration for the pattern grew and I’ve worn it for the last 17 years as an instant way to add a cool twist to my outfit. (FYI, I’m currently writing this story in an oversize R13 camo jacket.)

While the trend is very reminiscent of the early 2000s, it never fully went away (hence why I’ve continued to wear it). We’ve seen the pattern crop up in the fashion world for seasons in a multitude of iterations.

Currently, the casual motif is holding its own amongst the street style set with a much more polished finish than I remember from the baggy cargos of my youth. Here, I’m talking about tailored camouflage trousers, fitted tees, coats, and more.

To see what I mean, I pulled together a selection of my favorite looks featuring my go-to pattern. Plus, I shopped out the coolest camo pieces you can buy right now that really make a statement. Because really, what’s the point of ever blending in?

This is me during fashion week. As you can see, I wasn't lying about the camo obsession. Pictured is the R13 jacket I've worn for seasons.

More tailored camo cargo pants are where it's at this season—definetly more polished than the style I coveted in 2001.

Victoria Beckham is also into the trend. She stepped out this year in a multicolored T-shirt with her skinny jeans.

Try a long-sleeve camo shirt as an unexpected layering essential with a tee.

Camo pants can absolutely be dressed up with a blouse and pointed heels.

And here's another way to elevate camo. Go for a button-down underneath your go-to suit.

It's not just about clothing items. There's a slew of rad camo accessories out there as well.

A camo jacket can really go with anything—especially an off-duty look with a tee and patent pants. 

Do I really need to convince you to buy camo pants at this point? Exactly.

Next, check out the one ankle boot style that's in it for the long haul.