What to Wear With Camo Pants (Style Advice for Men and Women)
Is camouflage a tired style? Or is it a must-cop statement piece that you need more of? Read about what camo says about you and how to style this classic print!
Updated Sept. 27, 2023 (originally published Sept. 15, 2022).
Are camo pants in style? Yes. More than ever, the camo trend is a must-cop statement piece that you need more of. Read about what camo says about you and how to style this classic print!
It’s no secret that fashion takes influence from many cultural aspects. We’ve seen the influence of each era give rise to trends such as hippy, retro, Y2k, 80’s and more. This is especially true for camo styles as well. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when, where and how camo came into fashion, but a good place to start is during the Vietnam war in the late 60’s.
History of Camouflage in Fashion
We’ve seen how denim jacket fashion and denim jeans evolved from traditionally a laborer’s uniform into a timeless fashion masterpiece. Camo fashion followed suit years later as war raged on overseas – the print inevitably became a vital element of American identity in a trendy way. By the late 90’s, military print had become infinitely intertwined into every cultural and subcultural corner.
Camo attire has come a long way since first becoming integrated into fashion. We now see military print in bold, bright colors and accented with colorful custom graphics.
Camouflage patterns had practical intentions, blending in with their surroundings, typically leafy forests and jungles, but also deserts. They have names such as US woodland, brushstroke, lizard, tiger-stripe, duck hunter and more.
One of the most popular camo patterns is the US woodland, which is seen here:
Another popular camo pattern is the chocolate chip camo, which you can see here:
A third popular camo design is known as the brush-stroke camo, which you can see in these stacked flare jeans for men:
How to Wear Camouflage: Camo Styling Tips for Men & Women
1. Pair camo with contrasting colors.
Camo looks best when it is used primarily as the focal point of your outfit. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pair this print with other prominent colors. Though the camo aesthetic looks great with neutral tones and muted colors, it really comes alive when it is complemented with bright, vivid colors. What colors go with camouflage? Think red, orange, yellow and royal blue! For men, stick to small statement pieces when adding color such as Jordan 1 University Blue, Black Orange Peel or Court Purple sneakers. For women, sneakers are great to add and can also be paired with matching purses or tops!
2. Wear camo to casual occasions only.
Camouflage is a statement pattern so it’s most appropriately worn in casual settings. You can, however, dress up your camo print styles to look more aesthetically pleasing by adding the right accessories and layers – which brings us to our next tip!
3. Layer and accessorize your camo.
No outfit is ever complete without staple layers and accessories! If you’re wearing camo print bottoms and a plain tee, your outfit will come together with a denim jean jacket or a clean leather jacket. If you’re wearing a camo bomber jacket or other military print outerwear, adding a hat, watch or a Cuban chain will compete your look and give you a finished, fashionable feel.
What Shirt to Wear With Camo Pants: Guys
What to wear with black camo pants: Try the black-on-black look with a black urban streetwear hoodie.
What to wear with green camo pants: This one is a little trickier. Green can be tricky to coordinate with other colors, like red (Merry Christmas) or yellow (who's a good frog).
For more ideas, check out RSO's camo Mens fashion.
What to Wear With Camo Pants: Womens
So, What Does Wearing Camo Say About You?
If you’re someone who wears camo print clothing, you are probably someone who appreciates comfortable, functional clothing, but also loves a good trending style. Camo is a bold and classic print that isn’t going out of style anytime soon.
Is wearing camo offensive? Not at all. Fashion designers have been incorporating camo into urban streetwear for decades. It's becoming even more popular since 2022-2023, when working from home and casualwear became the norm.
It’s a strong statement piece, and when paired with the right pieces such as leather jackets, essential tees, jewelry and sneakers, your look lets people know you are far from basic. Ready to level up your tired camo? Shop RSO’s latest camouflage urban streetwear styles now! And don’t forget to tag us on Instagram for a chance to feature your camo aesthetic.
