"I write camouflage in inverted commas because it was blue and, amid the dusty devastation of Gaza, there was nothing about it or the bumbag he wore with it that helped Witkoff blend in. It's an odd paradox that a pattern designed to melt military personnel into their surroundings the word is derived from the French camoufler, to disguise when worn by certain people, in certain ways, does the opposite. Witkoff being a glaring example."
"But camouflage is chameleon-like. Militaristic or pacifist, Britpop or British army, there's arguably no pattern that has a more functional original purpose or greater adaptability when deployed far from the battlefield. Context is king and camouflage reads wildly differently when it appears on a tie worn by the hawkish veteran and secretary of war Pete Hegseth, on the Louis Vuitton catwalk, in the fields of Glastonbury or even at a protest against conflict: one person's sabre rattling is another's anti-war statement."
Camouflage originates as a functional military pattern designed to disguise personnel, but context alters its meaning. When worn by non-military figures in obvious ways, the pattern can become conspicuous rather than camouflaging. Camouflage appears across fashion, politics, and protest, shifting between militaristic symbolism and anti-war statements. Its resurgence aligns with throwback Y2K style, appearing in mainstream and high-fashion brands and affordable retail. Hunting camo has surfaced in political apparel in the US. Camo's military associations remain potent, with some countries restricting civilian use due to its ties to modern warfare and increased destructiveness.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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