If you have been anywhere near the internet over the past year, you may have noticed the rise in military jackets. Some of the most stylish women around, including Dua Lipa, Margot Robbie, Jenna Ortega, and Bella Hadid, have all been spotted wearing the latest must-have jacket trend over the past several months. It’s divisive, sure, but after appearing more and more on the runways and street style alike, one thing is for certain: military jackets are here to stay.
What Is A Military Jacket?
Long before it was a major 2026 fashion trend, military jackets were worn in 18th-century France during Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign, where they subsequently got their alternative name of the ‘Napoleon jacket.’ The style then rose to popularity many, many years later in the ‘80s as a sign of theatrical rebellion from rock icons including Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury. Then, in the 2000s, another resurgence of the trend saw the Indie Sleaze era, with fashion icons including Kate Moss and Alexander McQueen helping to further spread the word of the military jacket. They have now resurfaced once again, in the collections of Khaite, Dior, and Ann Demeulemeester, hardly surprising given the growing trend for nostalgia in fashion. Thankfully, it means that a new generation is able to experiment with this trend and discover modern renditions of how to style them.
Luckily, inspiration is not in short supply, and I have rounded up seven ways to style a military jacket that are perfect year-round.
How to Style Military Jackets
The history of the military jacket is rooted in conformity, but when styled with jeans, it takes on a cool girl edge that is very Kate Moss circa 2000s.
From the frogging detailing to gold-tone accents, military jackets are a statement piece and work really well when styled as such. Make the jacket the focal point of the outfit and wear it with a classic pair of black tailored trousers and pumps.
Alternatively, you may wish to give the jacket a minimalist spin and keep it simple with all neutral colours. Take this as your inspiration for how to style a military jacket for any occasion, from the office to brunch with friends.
Military jackets may be a statement piece, but that doesn’t mean you can’t style them with print or colour. Animal print in particular works really well as a neutral, so it helps to soften the structured tailoring of the military jacket.
Mixing masculine and feminine codes is always a winner. The regimented masculinity of the military jacket pairs really well with the cute femininity of the mini skirt, as evidenced by Jenna Ortega.
Historical dress codes as far back as the 18th century are coming back into fashion, and none more so than the Napoleonic era. And while sometimes it’s best to pick one or two elements of a trend like this, other times it’s best to go all in and have some fun.
Styling a military jacket the monochromatic way is a timeless take on the trend. It feels undeniably sophisticated, perfect for any minimalist.