I’m with MsMary and Gaylene on this. I’ve spent too much time around folks in my husband’s home state who wear camo every day to be drawn to the “real” versions of it. I have a blue “camo”cashmere beanie and a pair of blue camo shorts. So I tend to like versions that don’t hew towards the traditional color palette.

I have my dad’s US Navy bomber jacket. It’s very well worn and clearly authentic and vintage. I’ve thought about wearing it in a fashiony way but have never quite brought myself to do it. No one is going to think I’m active military if I do, and if anyone dares judge me for wearing my late veteran father’s jacket, they can kindly kiss off.

I have an olive utility jacket and combat boots and I wore them together yesterday and I didn't think anything of it as I wore other pieces with them. A lot of what we wear has some association with it; its hard to avoid.
In regards to cultural appropriation, I work in a school which is dominated by one particular ethnic origin. We get asked to wear a shirt from that culture/group of cultures once a week to show our respect.

I have to wonder how wearing the flag, which would have originally been seen as extraordinarily disrespectful, became "patriotic", but wearing camouflage is "stolen valor."

I hesitate each time I am attracted to a camouflage print because I don't want to be associated with gun culture or any of the other possible associations in a rural, conservative area. When/if I purchase one, it needs to be clearly fashion and not mistakable for gear or anything else. But it never occurred to me that anyone would mistake me for actual military, nor did it ever occur to me that it was disrespectful to those serving our country in that way.

Dressing can get complicated. There is a fine line between appropriation and appreciation sometimes. I don't want to cross that line or disrespect any individual or group, but it is sometimes difficult to predict what the fashion police will be writing tickets for next.

Being the daughter of a career Army Colonel, I would not call camo stolen valor. Or anything military inspired. The only thing I would question is wearing someone’s medals, dog tags or impersonating the military by putting on the full uniform.

Lana, I agree, and you put it so much better than I did.

Well said, Lana.

So sorry to post and run yesterday. But wow, all these thoughtful and intelligent responses have really made me think. I appreciate everyone weighing in and value all your viewpoints.

Camo has always been a print that held little interest for me and I doubt I would ever have more than one or two pieces in my wardrobe. I hadn’t even considered it in relation to gun culture. I live in a very progressive part of the country and hunting isn’t really a big thing here. In my suburban town, and in the nearby city I visit occasionally, camo is just a fashion statement (in my mind).

gryffin’s post reminded me I have an old pair of Frye engineer boots, yet I’m the last person you’d ever see on a motorcycle. I have riding boots yet have never ridden a horse, either. Same with running shoes…I mostly walk.

Very interesting thread. I don't wear camo, it does have military connotations for me that I do not find appealing, but do wear olive green pants, combat style boots and I am sure other military references. I think it is too context and personally specific to make blanket judgments.

I think in the UK, we don't have quite the same level of reverence for the armed forces (rightly or wrongly) as they do in the USA. As such, we didn't really grow up with this concept, but most people around me would still avoid wearing anything *literally* army inspired (maybe camo print but in blue or pink, that sort of thing). Similarly, I have one pair of olive cargo pants for hiking, which I try not to wear with an olive top when I have my combat boots on, because of the possible 'connotations'.
Hunting is also a different matter, since I'm sure you know the stereotypically British clothing for those activities (I had classmates who would wear such garments for fox hunting etc).

That said though, DH grew up in Georgia & would buy items from army surplus stores - which he still wears (I've joked about it here on the forum before that he pretty much lives in cargo shorts - this past winter has taught me that's not an exaggeration, lol...) Whilst he does sometimes have second thoughts about wearing the more literal versions of his army gear (i.e. *camo* cargo shorts), he says he likes army surplus goods because they're literally made for durability & practicality. So he continues to wear them.

So whilst I don't have a clear-cut answer to this, I think it's usually a good idea to let those who served take the lead on such things - I have friends in the RAF (Royal Air Force) who don't particularly care, but also those in OTC who made sure not to wear their uniforms outside of training (though some did so for their Halloween costumes despite being instructed not to, but still...) but I'm sure those in the US Armed Forces may have different opinions.

Good point Zaeobi. I nearly said so before, but found it difficult to word… in NZ we also don’t have “quite the same level of reverence” for the armed forces! And sadly in NZ the armed forces do not always act well as per a famous hidden case from our SAS in Afghanistan that I have read about. Exposed by a journalist. Hard to find truth but the army did not come out of it looking too good. I am sure there is often a lot of valour but not always. Hope this comment is not too controversial!

Reading some of the other responses also has me thinking about how culturally specific military connotations can be - I never really saw army green camo in-person in the UK but see it now as an adult as part of actual uniforms here in Hong Kong. But growing up, I saw plenty of beige camo in southern Pakistan, so that's the automatic association *for me* with the armed forces & law enforcement (police) - especially since they openly carry guns but the UK police don't.

I'm also now realising this is likely why sandy beige cargo pants/ tanned chinos/ camel slacks have never appealed to me - whilst I don't see others in the forum debating whether they 'can' wear them (meaning I likely could!), they still carry particular connotations for me which I don't wish to emulate *anywhere*.

@Jenni I think there are unfortunately many cases the world over where the armed forces don't act well - not saying it's everyone, of course, but any organisation in a position of power will inevitably have some people who abuse said power or let it get to their head

We of course still have discounts for army veterans & army surplus stores etc in the UK, but I think many there see it as a profession just like any other (ok, maybe a slightly more *dangerous* profession than the usual - perhaps like firefighters or underwater welding)? That's not to discount the risks people take in the armed forces, but just a possible explanation why the idea of 'valour' may also be culturally subjective (i.e. like @Lana said, wearing actual military identifiers like dog tags, as opposed to general colours or patterns).

No, it's not stolen valour. People who step over that line wear dress uniforms and medals they're purchased online either for attention or for financial benefits.

The authorities take a very dim view of that crap and if prosecuted, they may face prison time for fraud.