Performance Fabrics in Military Clothing

Performance fabrics for military uniforms are among the most popular in the world today. In addition to military clothing, camouflage fabrics are not only used for military purposes. It is also beneficial to go fishing, hunting, and foraging in camouflage clothes. It is not uncommon for professional dog trainers to wear camouflage uniforms when training dogs. Moreover, tactical fabrics have many positive qualities and properties. 

The advantages of military fabrics are as follows: 

–       Strength

–       Air permeability

–       Water resistance

–       Fire resistance

–       Thermal insulation

–       Wear resistance

–       Durability

–       Disguise

–       Ease of care

What Fabrics Are Used to Sew Military Clothing? 

There are many varieties of tactical materials that are used for sewing military uniforms and camouflage wardrobe items.

The most popular camouflage fabrics are:

–       Oxford

–       Duspo

–       Viscose

–       Membrane fabrics – Hard Shell, Softshell, Shark Skin, Gore-Tex, Alova

Oxford is a dense and durable material made with a special weaving of fibers. The fabric is used for military clothing, workwear, and sports wardrobe items.

The main positive qualities of Oxford fabric are density, strength, wear resistance, and durability. Such materials retain their original appearance for a long time. The material is affordable and has a high level of heat resistance. Protective suits made of lightweight fabric are not prone to tearing and mechanical damage, and these clothes are easily washed at home.

Duspo synthetic fabric of the dense plain weave

This material is light enough to allow the skin to breathe properly. Duspo is used for sewing protective uniforms and military clothing.

The dense fabric is waterproof and protects well from gusts of wind. It is lightweight, which is why it is convenient to use. 

Viscose is a lightweight synthetic fabric made by the careful long-term processing of wood pulp. The material is great for thermal underwear and lightweight wardrobe items. The fabric allows air to pass through, allowing the skin to breathe. It should be noted that thermal underwear is an almost indispensable element of military attire.

Membrane fabrics are a range of textile materials that offer a high level of protection against moisture, wind, and fire. The membrane fabric consists of polyester, on one side of which is a membrane mesh. Despite its density, the fabric actively allows air to pass through, making it breathable.  Such materials also retain heat well, facilitating the removal of moisture to the outside.

The various types of membrane fabrics are as follows:

• Hard Shell – does not retain heat but is waterproof. The fabric is suitable for seasonal clothing. 
• Softshell – the fabric removes perspiration and protects from light rain. It is also lightweight and easy to move in. It is suitable for both winter and summer military clothing. 
• Shark Skin is a 3-ply performance fabric, which has a unique texture resembling shark skin. It is also sweat-resistant.
• Gore-Tex – a 3-ply membrane fabric based on an ultra-thin Teflon film with a number of micropores. This coating protects clothing from dirt and damage. It dries quickly and has a high rate of water resistance. 
• Alova – made of knitted polyester with a water-repellent coating on the inside. It has good heat-insulating properties, is frost-resistant, and also has moisture-wicking capability. The fabric is used to manufacture winter military clothing.

Impact of Workwear On Casual Wear

Most people do not realize that casual clothing design has evolved from industrial and military apparel. An entertaining story can be connected to every wardrobe item that has made this transition. 

Overalls first appeared in 1891. Initially, they were part of pilot and parachutist uniforms. On the Eve of the First World War, overalls were worn by factory workers in the world’s leading industrial countries. In those years, staff was required to wear overalls over their casual clothes for protection.

Later, sleeveless overalls (rompers) appeared, which became an integral part of a child’s wardrobe. Thanks to this innovative solution, the little ones were able to move freely while playing outdoors. 

In the 20th century France, practical clothing also became available to girls. In the adult world, jumpsuits became a fashion trend in the 1980s, thanks to the Parisian couturier Azzedine Alaya, and the American fashion designer Donna Karan. These designers started a new trend by including an element of uniforms in their collections.

Military clothing. During the recovery period after the First World War, the inhabitants of many European countries were faced with a shortage of casual clothes. In those years, the volume of textile production was not enough to cover everyone’s needs, but there was a surplus of military uniforms. People began to restyle soldiers’ uniforms for everyday wear, laying the foundation for a new fashion trend. 

A new wave of popularity came in the 60s when Americans wore clothing made of performance fabrics to protest against the Vietnam War. The massive spread of military-style also affected the hippie youth movement.

Today, camouflage outfits simply accentuate the casual look and are also valued for comfort, durability, and practicality.

The Emergence of Blended Fabrics

A key event in the global garment industry was the introduction of thick linen canvas, which is the forerunner of modern denim. After applying moisture-proof, fire-resistant, and antifungal agents to the fabric, resourceful textile workers created a material known as tarpaulin today. It was immediately used in sewing welders uniforms who helped to establish the first railways.

At the end of the 19th century, the rapid development of the chemical industry led to the manufacturing of fabrics from synthetic fibers. With the advent of the spinning machine and artificial fibers, the rapid development of the textile industry began. The use of blended fabrics from synthetic and natural threads marked the beginning of a new era in the production of uniforms and various types of clothing for everyday wear.

These lightweight fabrics are still widely used today due to their relative cheapness, durability, tolerance to frequent washings, dimensional stability, and strength. Fabrics consisting of synthetic fibers also allow for a variety of clothing designs.

Jeans were introduced in the 16th century, but jeans closer to the modern look appeared in 1853. The innovator was entrepreneur Levi Strauss, who started the mass production of comfortable, high-strength sailing trousers for gold diggers in the United States. Later, an improved version was developed, taking into account the wishes of the average person. The pants featured front and back pockets, belt loops, and double stitching.

In 1886 after the devastation of gold deposits, workers left their settlements, and jeans began to appear in the wardrobes of regular people.

In the post-war world, European countries gradually gained spiritual and cultural freedom, which was also expressed through clothing. Fashion gradually seeped into the everyday life of the American people, but only consolidated its strong position in the 60s, where jeans became a fashion trademark of hippies.