Military Memoir

From a very early age, I was always drawn to the structured and detailed form of military regalia. Growing up, my weekends consisted of slow Saturday's mooching around antique stores, vintage markets or car-boot's... it's amazing what you can find when you have the perseverance to really *look*. Over the year's I've attained quite an eye for seeking treasure in other people's 'trash'. However, amongst the timely antiquated goodies there is always the overwhelming presence of past military garments. It all started with the purchase of my first vintage Navy jacket back in 2013, I must have been 15 years old and wandering around a small antique market in a town nearby. I can remember it was the first time I had ever tried on anything 'vintage', and boy would that push me down the rabbit hole. Encouraged by my parents, I slipped on the fitted, cropped dinner jacket with gild trimmed cuffs & heavy gold buttons and stared into the mirror in awe. From that day on, my love of vintage fashion grows stronger with each day. I would go on to wear that jacket to Sixth Form and eventually University, breathing life into an old item and making it a staple garment in my wardrobe. This, I believe, is what makes Military (in particular vintage military) so utterly timeless and wearable in contemporary society.

Now, I do appreciate there has to be an element of bravery to step out of your front door donning something that would probably feel more at home on the deck's of the titanic... but once you step over that scary threshold knowing that you look fabulous, there'll be absolutely no stopping you. I 100% feel my most confident when wearing something that I know will turn heads. This might not be the same for you, and that's okay! But I really do feel like there's something special about wearing a garment that you know nobody else is going to have seen before, or worse, is already wearing!

The images below feature *that* special vintage number, styled with a plain white men's dinner shirt tied at the waist with some wide leg jeans.

I also decided to accessorise with these these military inspired medal pins that I bought from H&M a few years ago - although I do realise that these aren't to everyone's taste and could be a bit *much*!

By pairing something so statement with a basic

As much as I love the unique notion of a classic military jacket (which, may I add, is still very much replicated by some high-end high-street brands like Zara), when styled with more contemporary items such as skinny jean's and trainers, it can act as the key statement piece of an outfit and a definite conversation starter. Me however... I'm a self-proclaimed maximalist. Therefore I'd rather let the garment live it's authentic retro life by paring it with other vintage or period items of clothing... but as any fashionista knows, there is a line.

Finding the right balance between 'fashun' and just straight costume is imperative. Sure, I've teetered on the brink of that line many times in my style evolution, but honestly hun, what is fashion if not taking risks??

The image you see above is how I styled this Stradivarius military inspired number. Definitely NOT the carefree and casual vibe that some of you might be more comfortable with, but honestly with a jacket like that... you might as well milk it... go the whole hog! The white frilled shirt really serves up those French renaissance vibes (and god do I love that French renaissance), with the detail of the vintage cameo broach at the collar tying the whole thing together. I went for a big clash of the centuries here and decided to accessorise with my red vanity case handbag, nodding towards the 1940's and 50's. Pair with some plain black skinnies and a red lip, you have the perfect outfit for museum perusing around London - but take my word for it, prepare yourself for the glances from passers-by! It's something you'll get used to... after all, doesn't every work of art deserve an encapsulated audience?