Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
IN VOGUE WITH CAMO!
Be it summer or winter, whether one is dressing up for a party or getting ready for workout, when it comes to fashion there’s nothing that is be more visible than a bit of classic camouflage.
Alot of street credibility is sure to come your way if you sport what the bravest of us wear to work — the camouflage. These days, camouflage clothing is available in all shapes, colours, and styles — on everything from lingerie to shoes.
International designers like Christian Dior and Moschino have created camo couture.
Closer home, John Abraham, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and a host of other Bollywood stars have been spotted wearing the camo to all kinds of occasions. It really is a fashion statement!
“The camouflage is perennially in fashion among celebrities. They’re often seen sporting them at theme parties, adventure trips and workout sessions. Originally, camouflage apparels are used by military personnel to hide or conceal. It’s intended to be invisible, but fashion has taken it and reappropriated it to speak loudly,” says Puja Verma, head, Amity School of Fashion Technology.
An army official, on the condition of anonymity, says, “Camouflage is a necessity in operations. It’s the line between life and death.” However, he does not have any qualms about camouflage being reappropriated by civilians. “It doesn’t matter as long as they don’t use authorised military patterns. It shows the people’s pride in their country”. Here in Lucknow, a leading sports store stocks these prints in patterns of various forces — US Army, Indian Army, SSB and BSF, among others, selling T-shirts, shorts, trousers, shirts and sling bags as ‘hunting accessories’.
Customers, however, are buying camo to be sported more as a fashion statement on the streets and on campuses.
University sophomore Som Prabh feels camo adds gravitas to his bearing, “I get a macho feel when I wear my combat tee to college” he says, adding, “I often match it up with a pair of olive green boots which I bought from a military store in Sadar.” A lot of adventure buffs too sport them when they are out in the jungle or mountaineering.
It’s not only boys who’re rocking the camo on campuses. When asked why she thinks the camouflage is all the rage in her college, fashion blogger Muskan Bothra says, “Camouflage has an androgynous feel that brings an edge to any outfit. It’s versatile and classy, perfect for that tough girl image. Bollywood actors Alia (Bhatt), Kangana (Ranaut), Malaika (Arora) have given camo a boost by making it a style statement.”
“There is more to camo than tees and pants. Women can flout the norm by rocking a camo hi low, a crop top or an off shoulder. Men should experiment with chinos, joggers, boxers and gunjees,” says designer Pahuni Agrawal.
Even children and teens have caught up with the trend. Shafique Ahmed, a professor at Gorakhpur University, was seen buying a camo tee for his 13-yearold son at a store in Gomti Nagar. “My son’s in awe of the forces” he says. Action hero Tiger Shroff seems to be an inspiration for Maaz Khalid, 6, who cites Tiger’s martial look in movie ‘Baaghi 2’ as the reason behind his fondness for the combat print.
“With all big brand stores and online portals offering a big range of fashionable camo apparels shows that fashion is here to stay and grow,” adds Pahuni.
HERE IN LUCKNOW, A LEADING SPORTS STORE STOCKS THESE PRINTS IN PATTERNS OF VARIOUS FORCES — US ARMY, INDIAN ARMY, SSB AND BSF, AMONG OTHERS, SELLING TSHIRTS, SHORTS, TROUSERS, SHIRTS AND SLING BAGS AS ‘HUNTING ACCESSORIES’.
I get a macho feel when I wear my combat tee to college. I often match it up with a pair of olive green boots which I bought from a military store in Sadar. SOM PRABH STUDENT, LUCKNOW