Army surplus has a habit of re-entering the fashion cycle, whether it’s via classic cargos, a khaki green utility jacket or an upcycled, multi-pocketed canvas handbag – all subjects we’ve written about extensively at . But this season, it’s the slightly more outlandish camouflage trousers that are marching into our minds.

In our post London Fashion Week debrief, camouflage was a clear winner among the trends we spotted outside the shows. ’s senior shopping writer Alice Cary styled a pair of the camo trousers on day four, with a lace-trim cami, a cropped Wales Bonner tuxedo jacket, Aeyde heeled ballet flats and a vintage Lady Dior bag. “I bought a pair of vintage camo trousers from a surplus store in New York eons ago – I loved the perfectly baggy, ballooned silhouette and the colourful depth of the print,” she explains, of rediscovering them in a box under her bed. “They’re such an easy option for autumn.”

Many other show attendees were drawn to the wearability of camouflage trousers, too, and a quick trawl through the latest street-style galleries provides plenty of inspiration for how to style them now. The trick, it seems, is not to take the utilitarian reference too literally. Rather than pairing camo with more pocketed pieces, the most interesting outfits introduce the unexpected, like a feminine camisole, a sporty raglan tee, a colourful knit or a pair of metallic ballerinas. If you needed any more convincing, look to Alexa Chung and Iris Law, who have recently showcased camo-print trousers on their respective Instagrams.

Second-hand retailers stock camo trousers in abundance. Surplus, vintage, designer and high-street takes on the style line the digital shelves of eBay, Vinted, and Vestiaire – along with other popular interpretations of functional workwear. But unlike the typically plain-coloured canvas or cotton of utility jackets and cargo trousers, the playful camo print refuses to blend into the background (as originally intended).

While finding a pair of camo trousers might be easy, deciding on the right wash and shape is a little less plain sailing. There’s everything from faded, almost grey-green vintage prints to high-contrast woodland camo, while silhouettes range from slim cargo trousers to generously cut, balloon-legged shapes.

For autumn, baggier pairs seem to be the go-to. Wear them low on the hips with a fitted knit or a baby tee, or lean into the volume with an oversized leather jacket or chunky knit. If you’re after something a little more polished, take Alice’s lead and offset the trousers’ utilitarian roots with a heeled ballet flat, structured handbag and sharp tailored jacket to instantly make camo feel less army surplus and more Fashion Week.

For more directional styling options, look no further than the street-style set, pictured below, who have mastered the art of dressing their camouflage trousers up or down.

Boxy V-neck + leather jacket

Leather Jacket With Toggle Detail

Thin knit + kitten heels

Hooded Cropped Shell Bomber Jacket

Raglan top + mesh flats

Leather jacket + silver ballerinas

Dial ‘C’ For Climax Tee

Lace-trimmed cami + trainers

305pics/Getty Images

Draped top + wedge flip-flops

Cotton-Blend High-Neck Draped Top in Taupe Neutral