Style Solutions

Making a vintage military jacket feel everyday

Mira Lin / Room 3000

An open white shirt and loose jeans, or a tiered cream skirt with loafers, give a vintage military jacket a more casual setting without hiding its braiding.

How do I rescue my Napoleon jacket? It makes my neck look shorter, feels like a stage costume and turns me into a five-star hotel’s doorman. So much for everyday dressing. The problem is closer to dressing up a basic outfit without turning it into costume, and to vintage accessories in streetwear, than to wearing a uniform replica.

The first look gives this vintage military jacket style some breathing room: an open white shirt leaves space at the neck, and loose, light-wash jeans make the military-uniform details feel less formal. A red bag sits well away from the crowded collar.

In the second look, a tiered cream skirt moves beneath the fitted olive jacket. Knee-high socks and loafers take it in a preppy direction. The braiding stays; the doorman impression goes.

Olive military jacket, white shirt, wide-leg jeans and a red bag
Olive military jacket, white shirt, wide-leg jeans and a red bag
Olive military jacket with a tiered cream skirt and black loafers
Olive military jacket with a tiered cream skirt and black loafers
Oatmeal military-style jacket with a draped top and layered necklaces
Oatmeal military-style jacket with a draped top and layered necklaces
Grey military-style jacket with a burgundy striped scarf and low-rise dark jeans
Grey military-style jacket with a burgundy striped scarf and low-rise dark jeans
White military-style vest over a puff-sleeve blouse and lace, paired with black polka-dot shorts
White military-style vest over a puff-sleeve blouse and lace, paired with black polka-dot shorts
Black double-breasted jacket with a floral brooch, tan shorts and brown tights
Black double-breasted jacket with a floral brooch, tan shorts and brown tights
Grey buttoned jacket with a dark midi skirt, leather bag and brown boots
Grey buttoned jacket with a dark midi skirt, leather bag and brown boots
Brown braided leather jacket with a red shoulder bag and light-wash jeans
Brown braided leather jacket with a red shoulder bag and light-wash jeans
Washed blue Napoleon-style jacket with a white bandana and oversized suede bag
Washed blue Napoleon-style jacket with a white bandana and oversized suede bag
Olive jacket, wired earphones, white low-rise wide-leg trousers and black bag
Olive jacket, wired earphones, white low-rise wide-leg trousers and black bag
Olive jacket, floral vest, white blouse, dark skirt and tall brown boots
Olive jacket, floral vest, white blouse, dark skirt and tall brown boots