Until recently, military clothing was really only worn by soldiers. Its primary purpose was to be a uniform denoting which country a soldier was fighting for, as well as offering functional benefits. Today things have changed and military clothing is worn by civilians and army personnel alike.

Most military clothing manufacturers stress function above fashion to ensure that their clothes offer excellent performance and durability.

In designing their clothes, they consider the different types of stressful situations that a soldier might be exposed to.

Well placed pockets and pouches on jackets and smocks, for instance, help the wearer to access easily daily essentials like navigation tools, food and medical supplies. Windproof and waterproof jackets are another example of how manufacturers consider the conditions clothes might be worn in when they design them.

One of the UK’s leading military clothing brands has even designed an item of base layer clothing that aims to be the best second skin a person could have. It both insulates the wearer and transfers moisture away from his or her body to the next layer of clothing, thus keeping him or her dry. The fabric used in this product is also fast drying and has a natural resistance to smells and microbial growth.

This sort of attention to detail is typical of military clothing design. It is also why so many non-army personnel choose to wear military garments. Many outdoor enthusiasts in particular love the practical benefits offered by these clothes. Since these people are often exposed to extreme weather conditions, wearing clothes which have been specially designed to protect against the cold for example, has a clear appeal.

The base layer clothing described above is a good example of an item of military clothing that has particularly caught on with those who engage in high intensity activities such as mountain biking and climbing.

Today the broad appeal of military clothing is a direct result of its emphasis on practicality over appearance or substance over style.