The return of the camo queen
If you were lowkey hoping the early 2000s aesthetic would stay buried, I have some news: the plot thickens, and the military-inspired trend is officially back. We’re talking full-on noughties nostalgia, giving major All Saints and Destiny’s Child energy. It’s not just a fever dream; fashion editors and celebs are currently obsessed, and honestly? It’s a whole mood.
Who’s rocking the look?
It’s not just your local thrift store finds. We’ve seen everyone from Alexa Chung and Iris Law to Brad Pitt—who wore a camo matching set to promote his new movie, Heart of the Beast—stepping out in the pattern. Even Hetty Mahlich, a brand editor at Burberry, is all in, noting that she loves pairing army surplus pants with everything from vintage nightdresses to heels because it keeps the vibes from feeling too "dressed up."
Why it’s popping off
The trend isn't just hanging out in the front row of fashion shows. Searches on Depop are up a massive 108% since April, and high-street icons like Zara, Marks & Spencer, and Adidas are all-in. Andrew Groves, a professor of fashion design at the University of Westminster, says the pattern has become "completely normalized"—kind of like wearing leopard print or plaid.
Even with its roots in military history, the look has evolved. Since the 1960s, it’s been used for everything from anti-war protests to high-fashion runways. That duality is why it stays rent-free in the fashion world's head—it’s both a uniform and a statement.
Why it matters
Fashion is cyclical, and with a whole new generation coming of age, we’re romanticizing the early 2000s all over again. Whether you’re here for the protest history or just because it looks fire with a baby tee, camo is officially having its moment—no cap.
