THE HIPPEST PANTS CURRENTLY TRENDING ON
SOCIAL MEDIA ARE 60 YEARS OLD
In the closets of well-dressed men, the military pants from the late 1950s have been given a fresh
lease of life. It often seems as though all things in the garment industry are governed by trends,
those intangible tidal changes in fashion. Some trends are absurd enough to completely
disregard, while others are more resilient and ingrain themselves further into society’s mind.
Even 60 and 70 year old pieces of clothing can be regulated by these same fashion laws of
physics, if you pay attention to the world of vintage apparel. The Carhartt double knee
workpants was popular last fall, frequently worn with the season’s clunky shoe, but this season
it’s the patch pocket fatigue pant, which is lighter, cozier, and all-around more legendary.
The fatigue pant OG-107
The fatigue pant OG-107
Don’t dismiss anything completely just because it’s popular. Gen-Z has recently started to
rediscover this staple of American army excess thanks to platforms like Tiktok. They’ve also
avoided the countless imitations of this classic in favor of finding the real thing by tapping into
the rich and quickly growing vintage market.
The fatigue pant is the military surplus pants platonic ideal in many aspects. Their streamlined
look works nicely with the majority of wardrobes because they are made simply to be massproduced. The high waist and wide leg of these practical army trousers strike a chord, especially
as fashion shuns the slim cuts of the 2010s. The fabric of a pair of fatigue pants also becomes
better with time and use, much like a good pair of jeans. Their huge patch pockets up front and
buttoned flap pockets on the seat, together with their olive drab hue, make them simple to
recognize. Whether they are antique, dead stock, or a recent copy, fatigue pants are simple to
locate.
The military-designated OG-107 and OG-507 variants of the fatigue pant are the most popular
and both are great options. The 107 was introduced in 1952 and continued to be produced until
1975, when the poly-blend 507 replaced it.
Style OG-107 Gets Tired
Generally speaking, vintage fatigue pants will fit bigger than most other trousers you may be
used to. In a vintage pair, a high rise and a boxy top block are generally typical, but almost
everything else is changeable. Vintage fatigue pants come in a wide variety, much like vintage
Levi’s 501s, which were made in several factories using slightly different fabrics.
There are a few techniques you can use to ensure a pleasing fit if you locate a pair of fatigue
pants you like. If the pants seem overly long, the first step is to hem them. Any rip in a pair of
fatigues might make them appear even larger because they are frequently so huge. Wearing
high-top sneakers or boots, which fit snugly against the ankle and won’t cause your jeans to rip,
can also assist with this issue. You could always sew on one or two cuffs in place of a hem. As a
result, the pants appear more tapered.
However, your best option with a pair of antique fatigues may be to get a pair that allows for
some breathing room, wash them in the washing machine, and then dry them. If you like, this
can further reduce their size and make them fit more closely against your body. Additionally, if a
thin fit is what you’re after, you might consider the poly-blend OG-507, which has a slightly
slimmer fit and a slightly lower rise.
When wearing fatigue pants, simple style is optimal. To prevent appearing too much like you’re
wearing camouflage, stay away from other olive and green items. A sturdy, worn belt is always a
smart accent and will help them keep up high on the waist with dark blue and white t-shirts.
