Have you ever noticed that many of the trends that last in fashion are borrowed or inspired by the military? Necessity is the mother of invention- the fact that things designed for the military are designed to be simple and functional, getting the job done in the simplest and most commonly accessible way. Or maybe it’s something about how there’s always been a certain romance around the uniform and all that that connotes. The fact that people who are wearing these things are trained to fight and kill gives them a certain cache of badness or danger that is irresistible to many people. Hence the love of war movies and books throughout history. I’d like to take a look at some of these trends over the next few weeks. Let’s start with on the most obvious.

First and foremost is the Aviator style of sunglasses. Popular history says that during WWII pilots needed tinted lens goggles to protect their eyes from sun glare and the smoke of combat. Ray Ban developed the first model of these goggles, then called ‘pilot’s glasses,’ and sold them to the US Military. They were large enough to shade the whole eye and built to be rugged and long lasting. The bulging lens rather than flat lens blocks light from more angles and helps with peripheral vision.

America’s love affair with aviators began when Douglas MacArthur landed on the beach in the Philippines and was photographed wearing them. This picture circulated around newspapers and magazines, and became iconic both of the war and MacArthur. Prominently featuring these pilot’s glasses, and looking cool doing, propelled the style to stardom. Ray Ban released the consumer version in 1938 and they’ve been made and remade popular many times since by movies stars, musicians, and trend setters everywhere.

Look forward to posts upcoming about more trends and styles drawn from our men in arms.