The popular movie “Lincoln,” in wide release across the country and around the world, is teaching us not only about the Civil War, but also how military garments transcend eras. They have become a part of fashion as well as history.  The Union Army uniforms were blue wool, with high-ranking officers wearing double-breasted frock coats with brass buttons down the front placket. Lower-ranking soldiers wore single-breasted coats. The use of stripes on the sleeves and other insignias also signified rank. The Confederate Army uniforms looked very similar, although to avoid confusion on the battlefield, dove gray wool was used. Some historians claim that military uniforms after each war were also worn in civilian life, often out of necessity for the cash-strapped soldiers returning home. Fast-forward to 2013 and the military inspired trend is still going strong.  Especially evident to me are the similarities to the Civil War uniforms.

Military-inspired coats of today often share common elements with the Civil War uniforms of the past. For example, the two rows of buttons down the front of the jacket and epaulet detail at the shoulder.  While not all military-type fashion jackets are made of wool, these design features are pretty standard. When you’re out shopping at Goodwill, look for jackets and coats that have rich looking details such as these and you’ll be right on trend! 

Boots that lace up the front would also be considered reminiscent of those that soldiers wore. Today we see lots of interpretations including classic combat boots in black leather, as well as fashion forward takes that might feature high heels, and a bootie type of look. What unites them though are the laces and the strap and buckle detail. Boots such as these are a simple way to adapt this trend and are being worn with everything from jeans to party dresses.

Hats of the Civil War era also had a distinct shape, much like the caps of today.  A small brim is attached to a pieced fabric body and has a horizontal band all the way around. This just goes to show that fashion has always been influenced by history.  When I looked at pictures of hats from then and now, it was difficult to tell which era they were from.

Dresses were not worn in the Civil War as far as I know, but those design details are often seen on all types of frocks. Buttons down the front would probably be thought of as the most common element that I notice. Not to mention epaulet details on coatdresses, as well as striped and banded features.

Accessories have always been a great way to do a trendy look. I remember wearing my dad’s World War II dog tags during the 1970’s as part of my own fashion statement. Now we see all kinds of takes on military chic. From the aforementioned dog tags, bar pins and medals are also incorporated into necklaces, bracelets and rings. The current cross-body bag trend would certainly be evocative of the bags that soldiers carried ammunition and other supplies in on the battlefield. Details are always what set these trendy pieces apart from the rest, such as fabrication in canvas with leather straps.

No matter what rank you assign to yourself, you’ll always be able to do battle with your style budget by shopping at Goodwill for trends and ideas that often deserve a medal for creativity on the front lines of fashion.