Skip to Content

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

5 Military Style Staples Every Guy Should Know

From field jackets to tactical boots.

By Miles Raymer
this image is not available
Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

Military wear is one of the pillars of men's style. Cheap, widely available army surplus standards like the MA-1 flight jacket and M-65 field coat have cycled in and out of fashion for decades without ever really going out of style. Recently the wave has been to mix these boxy-shaped classics with the lighter, sleeker lines of high-tech contemporary gear. Here are five military (and military-inspired) pieces you should have in your wardrobe this season.

Tactical Boots

this image is not available
Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

The current generation of field boots has more in common with modern sneakers than the clunky combat boots of yore, which is one of the reasons athletic brands like Nike have started producing their own. For a slightly more stylish variation, try the Danner Tachyon eight-inch boot in warm brown suede.

M-65 Field Coat

this image is not available
Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

The iconic jacket popularized by Travis Bickle and pretty much every high school burnout in movies or on TV ever, the M-65 may not be quite as impossible to avoid as the MA-1 right now, but it's still having a moment. Everyone from J. Crew to Off-White has their own take on the market. Alpha Industries offers it in several different variations, but for just a little cheaper you can cop a vintage specimen from the Vietnam era off eBay. Either way, complete the look by decorating it with embroidered patches like the ones you can find on the Instagram account Patchgame.

Tactical Cap

this image is not available
Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

Tactical caps are an easy way to kill two birds with one stone: their low profile reads like a dad hat, while the velcro panels for attaching morale patches are clearly military in origin. Search around online and you can find patches covering a broad span of subjects from pop culture references to jingoist slogans (the latter are not recommended). Or leave the velcro empty for a raw utilitarian vibe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

BDU Pants

this image is not available
Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

The battle dress uniform trousers originally conceived by the British Army in the 1930s are the direct ancestor of modern cargo pants, but we won't hold that against them. Classic BDUs like the ones made by Alpha Industries look good rolled up over sneakers or boots a la Levi's 501s, but you can also find slimmer silhouettes like this jogger variation or Engineered Garments' beloved take on the style.

Neck Gaiter

this image is not available
Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

Scarves are one of the greatest style tools of the cold-weather season, but when temperatures start to get serious, they have a hard time competing with the cozy efficiency of a neck gaiter. Colorado-based Phunkshun Wear sells its "neck tubes" in as many wild colors and patterns as you'd expect from a company named "Phunkshun" based out of the weed capital of America (it also offers custom printing if you want to go wilder), but the plentiful camo options offer blizzard-proof warmth with a dash of urban-guerilla style.

From: Esquire US
Watch Next
 
preview for Esquire Style
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Fashion

coolest menswear 2024

The Best Menswear in the World (This Week)

a person holding a pair of shoes

The Gucci Horsebit Loafer Is a Menswear Staple

amazon prime big deals day 2024

Amazon Spring Deal Days: The Top Menswear Deals

maya erskine and donald glover in mr and mrs smith

Donald Glover Is Leading a Bootcut Jeans Revival

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below