Military surplus stores offer a range of army clothing and other products. Military clothing is increasingly popular as a fashion item and is no longer confined to the serving soldier, the paint -baller or the outdoorsman. The mainstay of the military clothing revolution has almost certainly been combat trousers. Army trousers have appeal to a wide range of ages and can be worn by almost any body shape. It would be unfair however to suggest that combat trousers are the only item of army surplus to cross over into high street fashion. Army jackets, the fishtail parka and army surplus boots are also sold to numerous people wanting the military look rather than wanting the clothing solely for their hardwearing qualities. There are three things the consumer needs to know about shopping at a military surplus store.

• Some fashion motivated consumers could be said to be connoisseurs and will only consider genuine army surplus products from military surplus stores – either online stores or conventional shops. Others will source their “army clothing” from fashion stores. Of course, rather than being genuine military surplus products these items have their design inspired by army surplus but often without the hardwearing qualities that genuine army surplus affords. This is only to be expected where the fashion products have been designed with a look only in mind whereas the genuine military surplus products are designed and manufactured to be tough and versatile field wear. Ultimately of course, the type of clothing that the consumer seeks is motivated by the use that they envisage making of it. Anyone who is considering using their military clothing in the field, whether camping, hiking or, of course, on manoeuvres should only consider purchasing genuine surplus equipment and not fashion clothing.

• Apart from combat trousers and those buying military surplus for fashion, are of course popular with people wanting hardwearing clothing (and other items such as backpacks) which are excellent value. Also, reusing clothing and products that are surplus to the requirements of the government is an excellent practical example of recycling and the conservation of scarce resources.

• A few years ago army surplus had an image issue with many mainstream outdoor folk eschewing it in favour of high image branded equipment. Partly because of the boost to army surplus given by its increased fashion prominence and partly because of an increase in quality availability, many more people are purchasing military surplus these days. The increase in the availability of quality products in recent years has coincided with the widespread adoption of a classification system which grades surplus by its quality depending on the extent of its use. The grading system reflects whether or not the item has been issued or not (and therefore as “good as new”) or whether the item has been worn and what standard it is.

Whether a consumer is choosing army surplus clothing and other products for the military look or for its military qualities, shopping at army surplus stores will ensure that consumers get genuine products at great value prices. Followers of fashion are also advised to consider military surplus stores ahead of other high street options as the value for money and the high quality found in genuine military clothing is rarely matched in fashion stores.