How Everyday Clothing Was Influenced by Military Style: A Visual Timeline

Pea Coat

British Royal Navy

Variations of the traditional double-breasted heavy wool pea coat had likely existed for decades before the first reference to the “pea jacket” appeared in American newspapers around 1723. The U.S. Navy suggests that the term originated as an abbreviation of the “pilot cloth” material used to make the coat, while others look back to the Dutch word “pijjekker” as its genesis.

For more check out The 20 Best Men's Pea Coats, Car Coats, Walker Coats, and Overcoats

Chinos

European militaries

The Spanish introduced “pantalones chinos” to European military forces throughout the 1800s, the latter word referring to the Chinese origins of the cotton twill cloth used to make them. The Americans imported the same material for their khaki uniform trousers during the Spanish-American War in 1898, shortening the term to “chinos” and establishing what would become inextricably linked with Ivy League style through the following century.

And that khaki color? In the late 1840s, British Army Lieutenant Harry Lumsden was serving in India and seeking a way to camouflage his bright white cotton uniform with the help of some river mud (or tea, depending on your source.)

Jeans

US Navy

As with the short-sleeved T-shirt, the U.S. Navy responded to servicemen’s needs for more practical workwear when denim dungarees were first authorized for enlisted sailors in 1901 and for officers in 1913, marking the transformation point for a garment that had originated for a market of cowboys and miners in the 1870s.

Read more: Our 5 Favorite Pairs of Slim Jeans Right Now

Service Boots

US Army

Boots have long been the footwear of choice for soldiers around the world, but one of the earliest deployments of the ankle-high service boot we know today appeared when the U.S. Army issued the “russet marching shoe” in 1904. As their name implies, these cap-toe boots were made for marching with nine eyelets derby-laced up the front after it was discovered that the earlier designs with upper lacing hooks were prone to wearing out.

Under the auspices of the legendary General John J. Pershing, these boots were perfected for the rigors of World War I trench warfare with the waterproof leather and thick soles we currently associate with comfortable civilian work boots like the Wolverine 1000 Mile.

Read more: The Best Men’s Boots: Our 10 Picks

Trench Coat

British Army

Although the design dates back to a War Office submission in 1901, the classic British trench coat was standardized during World War I to provide officers with a water-resistant, lightweight equivalent to their heavy greatcoats. Burberry led the way, tapping into service the tough gabardine fabric that Thomas Burberry had invented in 1879. (Burberry rival Aquascutum claims to have been producing trench coat-like garments since the Crimean War a half-century earlier.)

Aviator Sunglasses

US Army Air Force

As aviation technology advanced between the wars, so did conveniences for pilots. In 1936, Bausch & Lomb responded to pilots seeking a functional alternative to the clunky goggles worn at the time.

A square-framed variant emerged around 1958, introduced by American Optical (AO) as the “Navigator” model, and it rapidly grew its popularity among military pilots, eventually standardized by the U.S. military as MIL-S-25948. While AO had pioneered the style, Randolph Engineering has been the Department of Defense’s exclusive eyewear provider since 1982.

Read more about why we love the square framed aviator

Cargo Pants

British Army

When the Brits rolled out their earliest version of battle dress in the years leading up to World War II, all the king’s men were issued a pair of wool serge trousers with two extra pockets: a field dressing pocket on the upper right hip and a map pocket over the left knee.

The Americans soon took notice and issued their own variation to paratroopers for storing extra ammo. Fifty years later, the style had snuck far enough into civilian closets that cargo shorts were seen with increasing regularity. The fashion world still hasn’t forgiven the British Army for this one.

Desert Boots

British Military Stationed in Burma

Clark’s standardized the desert boot during WWII after Nathan Clark observed off-duty officers in unique crepe-soled boots with suede uppers attempting to stay comfortable in the heat. Clark learns the boots originated in a bazaar in Cairo and begins prototyping after returning to England. Read more about the history and our guide to styling men's desert boots.

Clarks Desert Boot in Oakwood Suede, $100

Bomber Jacket

US Air Force

Alpha Industries developed the nylon MA-1 bomber jacket as a lightweight, waterproof, and warm update to the leather flight jackets worn previously by American military aviators.