Camo print has become something of a staple in menswear over the years. It’s a pattern that has come out of hiding, figuratively and literally, from its military origins to its infiltration of the streetwear scene. Originally designed to go unnoticed, wearing camouflage today is all about standing out.

The print itself is thought to have been designed by French painter Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scevola at the beginning of the First World War to help disguise the French military during combat. It caught on quickly, and soon after, both the British and US military replicated the design, putting their own spins on it.

Now over 100 years later, despite its intentions to help its wearers blend in, its purpose in fashion is for anything but. As a statement, camo is no longer solely a military reference, either – it brings to mind subcultures as diverse as skinheads, Pitti peacocks and hip hop, as well as the wider streetwear community and the high fashion world.

In fact, everyone from The Notorious B.I.G. to Pharrell and Kanye West made the print their signature at one stage or another, and established houses such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Burberry have made use of it in various collections. But how to wear it best? We’ve picked out some of our favorite camouflage jackets and camo pants that are available to buy now, with a little advice on how and where to wear them too.

3 Ways To Wear Camo Jackets

One of the greatest things about a camouflage jacket is its unique ability to bring to life almost any outfit in need of personality. Whether you’re looking to inject some life into a pleated trouser and tee combo, or to add a little color to a smarter outfit, the camo jacket has you covered.

Streetwear

Japanese streetwear brands like BAPE and WTAPS famously adopted camo print in their jacket designs, mostly thanks to its aforementioned versatility. It also created a signature for them – BAPE in particular is instantly recognizable thanks to its unique camo design. You needn’t drop hundreds on a limited run jacket though, there are plenty of high street camo jacket bargains that can be deployed in a streetwear-inspired look.