SS27/FW27 trend prediction: Why camouflage keeps coming back

Originally designed to help troops disappear into their surroundings, camouflage has become one of fashion’s most recognizable — and conspicuous — patterns. Its enduring appeal lies partly in that contradiction: camo suggests utility, toughness and the outdoors, yet removed from its military context, it becomes an instantly recognizable fashion statement in its own right. Its versatility is another reason for its longevity. In its classic form, known as ‘woodland camouflage’, the muted greens, browns, khakis and greys function almost like neutrals, working easily with denim, leather, animal prints, florals and tailoring.

At the same time, its military associations can give even the most feminine pieces a sense of toughness and attitude. This combination of familiarity and versatility helps explain why camouflage repeatedly returns to the runway.

In recent seasons, designers have moved well beyond traditional army fatigues, treating camouflage as a print, texture and surface that can be distorted, softened, enlarged or entirely reinvented. For SS26 and FW26, the concept becomes even more expansive, with designers exploring floral, astral, woodland and digital interpretations of the pattern.

In a recent article, ‘The Guardian’ highlighted Sarah Scaturro, chief conservator at the Cleveland Museum of Art, whose master’s thesis, ‘From Combat to Couture: Camouflage in Fashion,’ traced the evolution of camouflage within fashion. Scaturro argues that its ability to simultaneously disguise and identify — combined with its powerful aesthetic and symbolic associations — has enabled camo to become a recurring fashion classic.

She also observed that camouflage has a tendency to appear outside military contexts during periods of political instability. That observation feels particularly relevant as we look ahead to the SS27 ready-to-wear collections from the ‘Big Four’, alongside preparations for FW27. Expect camouflage to remain firmly in the fashion conversation, from classic woodland prints to re-colored, abstracted and more experimental interpretations.

The following images trace the evolution of camouflage styling from 2019 to 2026, illustrating how consistently designers have found new ways to make this familiar military pattern feel contemporary.

R13 FW19 by Chris Leba

A heavy, military-style coat in classic woodland camouflage featuring a large faux-fur lined hood. A contrasting animal-print inner layering piece worn open over the dress. A cream-colored satin or silk-blend underlayer with a tiered, ruffled hemline. Dark-based leggings covered in a dense, multi-colored botanical print.

AWGE SS25 by A$AP Rocky

A heavily patched, oversized camouflage bomber jacket created in collaboration with the underground brand Coucou Bebe 75018 with a micro denim skirt featuring an asymmetrical, multi-layered waistband detail.

Ralph Lauren FW25

A devoré jumpsuit with a ruffled neckline and bell sleeves in a floral print resembling camouflage in olive drab, charcoal, muted ochre and dusty amethyst

Zomer SS26 by Danial Aitouganov and Imruh Asha

Cropped woodland camouflage leggings detailed with contrasting light purple wavy piping along the sides with a cropped leather jacket featuring an oversized soft bow collar and an elastic ruched waistband.

Zomer SS26 by Danial Aitouganov and Imruh Asha

A jean-style mini skirt in a distorted woodland camouflage over a longer striped, pleated underskirt with the ‘Arianne’ floral button-down shirt in a retro-style purple, pink, and yellow flower power print.

Antonio Marras SS26

A voluminous, high-waisted A-line midi skirt showcasing a modern, multi-colored abstract camouflage patchwork print with earth tones, khaki greens, and dark grid lines. With a structured strapless top in a deep plum/burgundy shade, accented with an asymmetrical draped knot detail over one shoulder.

Juun J SS26 by Jung Wook-jun

A fitted forest green, brown, sand/tan, and black camouflage tank top paired with voluminous olive green utility bottoms and a draped camo jacket in a disruptive pattern featuring irregular, organic blotches rather than sharp pixels.

6397 FW26 by Lizzie Owens and Stella Ishii

A mid-length pleated skirt in a woodland camouflage pattern re-colored in vibrant green, purple and black, worn with an oversized, dropped-shoulder crewneck knit sweater in a soft mauve tone.

Goyagoma FW26 by Traiceline Pratt at Fashion East

A heavy, belted ‘smokey branch’ camouflage utility parka in olive drab, deep forest green, khaki, muted ochre and rich charcoal-brown framed by an oversized, voluminous tan fur collar. It is styled over high-gloss white patent leather trousers.

Fendi FW26 by Maria Grazia Chiuri

A cropped woodland camouflage bomber jacket constructed from textured green patchwork shearling, framed with a voluminous curly shearling collar. A minimalist white V-neck graphic t-shirt boldly printed with the word "NO." Relaxed, wide-leg olive green utility cargo pants cinched at the waist with an extended slim black belt.

Kiko Kostadinov FW26 by Laura and Deanna Fanning

A multi-zipper, sleeveless outer piece and matching pants featuring a textured green, yellow and black woven pattern using painterly brushstrokes or streaks of forest green, ochre yellow, and deep brown that mimics the look of iridescent feathers or tree bark.