The Military Jacket Is Back On Trend!

Fashion isn’t linear, and it never has been. It’s a trend cycle for a reason – pieces may fade in and out of popularity – but there is always an opportunity for revival. If there was a sterling example of this in 2025, it would be the illustrious military jacket.

With its origins dating back as far as 19th century France and post-revolution fashion, this avant-garde look also known as the band jacket has circled around more times than we can count. The likes of Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier – some of the most creative and camp designers of the last few decades – drew inspiration from the wardrobe of Napoleon in the 1980s/90s, before the iconic jacket became a cult classic in the noughties, as it was sent stomping down the runway by the top dogs. From Balmain to Burberry, Marc Jacobs to McQueen – structured shoulders, brass buttons and epaulettes formed what became dubbed ‘military chic’.

Image Credit: Balmain Spring Summer 2009

The look received a stamp of approval from the certified cool girls of the time, with the jacket frequently photographed slung casually over the shoulders of the likes of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.

Image Credit: Kate Moss in 2005

Image Credit: Beyonce in 2009

Image Credit: Sienna Miller in 2009

With the current revival of 2000s style, it was only a matter of time until the ‘band’ jacket made a comeback – and what a comeback it’s making, popping up in collections by major brands including Zadig & Voltaire, The Kooples and AllSaints. Throughout the most recent fashion month, this most iconic of comebacks was well and truly solidified as it popped up on runways across all four major fashion cities under brands such as Dior, Kenzo and Ann Demeulemeester.

Image Credit: Anne Demeulemeester Spring Summer 2026

Image Credit: McQueen Spring Summer 2026

No matter the budget, you too can partake in reviving this iconic piece of noughties fashion. Below are our top six picks for the military jackets you simply need in your wardrobe this season.