How to Do Something Your Don Know: How to Style a Military Jacket

Military jackets are classic wardrobe pieces that just always seem to be in style. But if you’re bored of wearing your military jacket in the same old ways, consider spicing it up a bit. You could add some fun accessories – like an oversized scarf, a cute neckerchief, or a fun cross-body bag. Try rolling up your sleeves, popping your collar, or adding a chunky belt. You might even consider wearing it like a shirt and tucking it into your pants!

EditSteps

EditStyling Casual Looks

Layer the jacket over a plaid flannel shirt for a casual combo. In colder months, a great way to go casual with the military jacket is to wear it over a plaid flannel shirt. You can spice up the look with a variety of different plaid colors – reds and greens or even brighter pinks and oranges.^[1]
- Try tucking the flannel into your pants for an even more casual streetwear look.
Wear it over distressed jeans and a graphic tee for a laidback look. This is a classic, casual look. Your military jacket will look great worn open and loose over a graphic tee (or even a plain white t-shirt), paired with distressed jeans.^[2]
- Try wearing different colors of t-shirts with the jacket, but keep in mind that more neutral colors will probably work best.
Roll up the sleeves. A great way to add some flare to your old trusty military jacket is to roll up the sleeves. Roll the sleeves in large, bulky cuffs or smaller, well-defined cuffs that are more meticulous.^[3]
- Try pairing this over a colorful undershirt so that color peeks out from underneath the rolled jacket sleeves.
Wear your military jacket like an oversized shirt. Button or zip your military jacket all the way up and throw it on with a pair of jeans or leggings, just as you would with an oversized blouse or t-shirt. You can wear another shirt underneath, but try not to let it peek out the bottom or top of your military jacket.^[4]
- This is a fun, relaxed style that works well when you’re on the go!
Pop the collar. Wear your military jacket open or closed and pop the color for a bit of extra flare. The popped collar is a fun contradiction to the strict adherence to rules that a military uniform is typically associated with.^[5]
- This kind of dichotomy can be a fun statement about your own personal style!

EditCreating Dressy Looks

Pair it with a little black dress to create edgy contrast. Layer a hip-length military jacket over a cute little black dress. Avoid longer military jackets for this look, as it works best with a contrast in length – the dress hanging lower than the jacket.
- Try completing the ensemble with a thin brown belt worn at waist-level over the top of the jacket and the dress.
Wear a tailored military jacket with slacks to work. For a slimmer, more professional look, pair a tailored military jacket with a nice pair of slacks. Wear the jacket over a dressy blouse that is tucked into your slacks.^[6]
- This look is great for a business casual look with a little edge that’s appropriate to wear to work.
Tuck your military jacket into your pants. Treat your military jacket like a button-up shirt and tuck it into your pants. For women, try high-waisted pants for an even more outrageous look.^[7]
- This might not work if your military jacket is made of material that is very thick. But if your jacket is a bit on the lighter side, it’s a fun way to change it up!
Unbutton the top few buttons and add a cute neckerchief. Keep your military jacket buttoned up all the way excluding the top few buttons. Then tie a small neckerchief around your neck with a cute pattern.^[8]
- Alternatively, you could add a large, chunky necklace instead of a neckerchief.
Pair your military jacket with knee-high boots and a skirt. Another great way to dress up your military jacket style is by wearing it with some tall boots and a cute skirt. Mid-calf or knee-high boots look stylish with a skirt that hits just above the knee and a fitted military jacket.^[9]
- Try wearing complimentary colors, like brown boots and a hunter green skirt, with your military jacket.

EditAccessorizing the Military Jacket

Add an oversized scarf. Wear your military jacket hanging open with a large, oversized scarf on top. The different textures (the canvas jacket against a softer woolen or knit scarf) will add a fun contrast to your outfit.^[10]
- Let the scarf hang down low. Or try tying the scarf in different patterns.^[11]
Add a chunky high-rise belt. Try switching up your military jacket style by pairing it with a thick belt worn at your true waist. This will break up the traditional form of the military jacket and give it a fun new style!^[12]
- Use a belt in a complementary color like hunter green, light brown, or even orange.
Add some dress shoes for a dressier look. Try pairing your military jacket with heels or other dress shoes to class it up a bit. Under the military jacket, you can pair dressier shoes with jeans, slacks, or even tights and a cute dress.^[13]
- This is also a fun way to turn your daytime jacket look into a nighttime jacket look. Adding heels (or, for men, nice dress shoes) adds a more formal flare/style.
Pair it with a dainty handbag or satchel. Try carrying a more petite handbag with your military jacket outfit. This will add a nice contrast to the larger size of your bulky military jacket. Try a small handbag with a long chain shoulder strap or a dainty little bowler bag with no over-the-shoulder straps, just handles.^[14]
- Avoid large cross-body bags, as the military jacket is already relatively bulky.
Throw on a beanie hat for a casual look, or a fedora for a classier look. Hats are a great way to spice up any outfit. If you want to dress your military jacket down, try wearing a beanie hat for a casual, more relaxed look. If you want to class it up a bit, wear a fedora hat with the outfit.
- You can even wear a panama hat to add some edgy contrast to the outfit.
Add some pins for decorative flare. Try playing on the military tradition a bit by adding your own funky version of military stripes. Add some cute and exciting pins to the breast of your military jacket, or down the sleeve, to give it a little something extra.^[15]
- Add colorful pins that really draw attention to the design.