All things fatigues
Hey all, long time lurker here. My Stan Ray slim olive fatigues are probably my favourite pair of trousers and have prompted a number of fatigue-related questions for anyone who will indulge me:
1. What do you think of non-olive fatigues? Any favourite colours or ones to avoid?
2. What do you think of fatigue shorts? I love patch pockets but they seem to necessitate the shorts being much longer than those I usually go for.
3. What are your opinions on drawstrings rather than button fastenings on fatigues?
4. What are your favourite brands for fatigues and what details on them make them special?
Thanks in advance! Also, feel free to pitch in with other fatigue-related discussion points and/or questions
40 Replies
Fatigues are awesome, but I hate the idea of them being slim. The originals weren't, why should mine be?
1. Other colors can work, I have a very loud pair of South 2 West8 fatigues in black with various white/gray striping patterns I got from a sample sale that I love. There's a thin line between working and being tacky though, imo they need to be picked from darker color pallate. Kinda will know when you see them.
2. Fatigue shorts are cool.
3. Not a fan of just drawstrings.
4. The obvious ones of Orslow, EG, and South2 West8 cause attention to detail, and in South2 West8s case, cool patterns.
Re: the slim point, it's probably a chronic case of "started reading MFA in 2015 and can't let go of slim fits". I don't mind tapered, but something about wide openings around my skinny ankles looks slightly comic to me
question: are milsurp olive trousers (e.g. 1970s-90s austrian and french) considered "fatigues"?
Most people mean American OG-107 pattern fatigues (Vietnam era), but milsurp pants from all militaries can work in the same way
French fatigues are awesome too if I remember right
It's just easier to get OG-107s cause American influence is big and a bunch of Japanese brands copied the pattern, all the brands I listed are Japanese
I don't know the "correct" answer to this question (and am not familiar with the particular examples you mentioned), but I tend to think of a lot of other milsurp trousers in a different category purely due to the number of pockets they have. The OG-107s just having the simple patch pockets on the front sets them aside in my eyes
ah
I've got two of the austrian model 1975 ones
Those are sick, probably more considered cargoes but they can be used the exact same way
interesting
Bit fan of their pocket design tho
aha noticed the lack of cargo pockets on the orslow
Those are cool! Maybe time for me to branch out. What do you like to wear with them?
good question
i actually used those pants for hiking a few times
but for casual city use they go well with boots, any t-shirt, and a black flight jacket
Orslow makes a pair of 6 pocket cargoes that is similar to those
Ya I'd style them like any cargoes, tee, work shirt, etc
i would also point out that the austrian and french trousers have a slightly more fitted seat and thighs compared to modern military pants
so they aren't 1940s formless-leg if that is the style the wearer wants to seek
I've tried Stan Ray og black twill fatigues for my customer service job. I like the look of them a lot, but the pockets fade really quickly if you carry anything in them.
Good to know! Definitely not keen on formless legs
Ahh I always have this problem with black denim too, not sure if there's a way round it...
Looking to get my first pair of fatigues soon! Kinda curious about why some fatigues seem to have short inseams--ive seen a couple at 27' when the waist is 30, for example. Is this kind of fit recommended, or should I have a longer inseam?
Brand recommendations would also be appreciated--will probably be buying secondhand from ebay. US, <100$, 28' waist
Different brands size differently. Longer inseams are nice if you like to cuff the hem once or twice, or if you're just a tall person. Shorter inseams can look very nice for summer if you want to show some ankle - they also provide a different kind of silhouette when worn with high-top sneakers or boots. It's really up to your preference, there's no right answer.
Vintage OG-107s are great if you can find them. Stan Ray can be found for pretty cheap and the quality is good. Orslow, Universal Works, and Engineered Garments are other brands that come to mind that you should be able to get for around $100 with some fishing. Needles if you want to get crazy with it
Thanks! This is a great starting point for me
might be down to regional differences
I encountered this issue when I was looking for fatigues, but managed to find a vintage pair on eBay for under a hundred that was 30x34 I think. A little longer than I needed but I cuff them.
Nice! Thanks for the tip.
Universal Works also offers some really nice pants that interest me
4. Vintage is always best IMO. Get the real shit
Question about sizing: I'd like to wear my fatigues in a high-rise fit, should I buy a size up or will my usual size (28) be fine?
you should check the rise on them but most fatigues are cut with a high rise
Ah, good to know. Thanks
check to see what the waist measurement on the sizes in question are
Does anyone have a lead on high waisted 54" fatigues?
No worries if you don't know, but do you know what Stan Ray's L sizing corresponds to, inseam-wise?
E.g. they have 34R and 34L, but their size guide just says the inseam for that waist size is 32 inches and has no mention of S/M/L. Does getting the L just add an extra 2", or does it mean something else?
Do you have any tips for finding vintage fatigues? I see quite a few on Etsy/eBay (e.g. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/737391381/vintage-mens-british-army-issue-work) but am never sure if they're actually vintage or some faux-vintage dropshipped stuff. This thread has made me want to try some out!
Vintage Mens British Army Issue Work Trousers Olive Green - Etsy UK
This Mens Trousers item by WolfVintageClothing has 5349 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on 27 Jul, 2023
I actually couldn't find L sizes anywhere so I didn't even think they did them! I normally wear a 32L but the Stan Ray 32R worked out okay for me. I think due to a combination of the high rise and not minding them being slightly cropped
@korgha The ones linked are British which i’m not super familiar with but the fact that they have size options would indicate to me that is repro. Generally people selling true vintage ones it will be a single size option per listing. So like the shop might have three or for pairs but individually listed with their size like this https://www.etsy.com/listing/1323518414/vintage-vietnam-era-og-107-utility-pants?click_key=1786bc8ed94e0fd06a2a3ba78434f887cdf62419%3A1323518414&click_sum=cd7f497a&ref=shop_home_active_60&frs=1&cns=1&sts=1
Vintage Vietnam Era OG 107 Utility Pants 1960s Baker Pants - Etsy
This Mens Pants item by ARROWHEADVandS has 14 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Miami Beach, FL. Listed on Jul 4, 2023
I have seen a decent amount of stores that have size options esp. in the area of surplus type clothing because they were able to buy on mass. I've also heard good things about Wolf vintage can't say that I have personal experience though
Yah definitely not ruling out that its actually vintage, you’re right some folks do sell in bulk. Generally speaking if a seller has great reviews they probably aren’t trying to sell you a repro without specifically stating its repro
I know that universal-surplus and Broadway and Sons also sell with different sizes I think they are well regarded. But yeah your overall point is prb. correct
I generally don’t see too many sellers blatantly trying pass off repros as vintage but some will neglect to say its repro in the listing title but will say it in the detail description.
FYI I see a lot of vintage listings with holes/tears/missing buttons etc, but a little visible mending can add some character if you’re willing to learn imo.