Is camouflage clothing EVER appropriate for non-soldiers to wear?

[MineralDiva]

I have a slight dilemma:

While in my favorite dress shop last week, I saw a version of a skirt I bought to wear at my daughter's graduation last June.  The one I bought for her graduation is a pale green.  This one was the same skirt, done in camoflage. 

Now I've never been a proponent of people who are non-military, wearing camouflage ANYTHING...especially if it looks like something a soldier would wear...but I have to say that this skirt was utterly adorable!  (And far from looking like it was military issued.)  So I bought it, and co-ordinated a black knit top with a brown tie-front "cardigan," in the same knit material, to go with it.

It looked so cute, I actually wore it out of the store...and to the office that day.

But here's the thing that's bugging me:

Mr. Diva and I have a surprise birthday party to go to, later this afternoon.  I thought I might wear this outfit, as it's casual, yet dressy and quite comfortable.  However, the Birthday Honoree's family is going to be there...and they're from Scotland.

I certainly don't want to "offend" anyone by my choice of clothing for the day.  No matter how "cute" or comfortable it is.  I'm thinking I should choose something else to wear, just to be safe.  The idea of foreign visitors, coming to the US to see their son on his birthday, and being greeted by some blooming idiot, wearing camouflage at his surprise party...  Well, I'd hate to inadvertently cause undue attention to be paid to me, because I was too stupid to be more sensitive to what may or not be appropriate attire in their country.

Am I being silly and too self-conscious?  Or am I right to check my closet for something else?  And if I should check my closet for something else...when if ever, would it be "okay" to wear this outfit?

Thanks!

Edited 'cause I didn't spell "dilemma" correctly. 

[ClaireC79]

Really doesn't bother me in the slightist (I'm from the UK) and I've never seen anyone comment on it (aside from once down the pub when someone commented that 'oh, I didn't see you there, you completely blended into to the back ground' - although to be fair the girl in question (not me) was wearing a tiny brink pink camoflage skirt, the other place she would have been disguised was a candyfloss machine

[MineralDiva]

LOL  Thanks, Claire.  I was hoping it was just "me" feeling weirder than normal.

[Brentwood]

I used to be stickler about non-military use of camouflage too...and then I got sucked in. My son has an adorable black and gray camouflage glove and mitten set, and his little sandals for summer are camouflage too. I succumbed to cuteness and bought my daughter a pink and gray camouflage skirt set.

I think you'll be okay - I doubt they will even give it a second thought.

[hobish]

I think it's fine to wear camouflage clothing. It's kind of stylish, even. A camo skirt sounds adorable.

[MineralDiva]

Thanks, Cathy.  Yes, I've been a bit of a stickler too...before I also got "sucked in."  My father and brother were both Marines...so I can remember their comments about teenagers wearing what looked like military fatigues, out in public.  (Remember heck!  I can hear them in my head now!  lol)

hobgoblinsh, it really IS adorable.  A dropped waist, with rosettes at the hip-line, falling into fluttery "pleats" or folds to the hem...in the same material.  When I wore the same skirt (the pale green one) in June, to my daughter's graduation, strangers actually stopped me to ask where I got it!

[sparksals]

There is no convention that it is impolite or disrespectful to the military for civilians to wear camouflage clothing.  What is an absolute NO NO is to claim you have served when you have not or to wear medals when they have not been earned. 

My dh was in the Army and served in Iraq.  He gave some of his old uniform pants to his friend's son. 

I think the outfit sounds really cute and you should wear it!

[MineralDiva]

Thanks, sparksals.  And thanks to your DH for his service!  I have a friend who just returned from his second tour in Iraq.  My brother was in the Med, when the Iowa blew up.  (He was supposed to be on the ship at the time, but they chose to do their exercises on the nearby island instead...)

No, I have no intention of claiming I served, nor of wearing anything close to resembling medals.  So I guess it was just my own paranoia.  But I'm glad I checked with you all! 

Now off to the shower with me...to get fluffed so I can "blend into the background!"  LOL

[MadMadge43]

The military look is so in style right now. I had never heard of people being upset about people wearing it, unless of course it was some guy trying to pass as Rambo who had never served a day.

And wearing the actual medals is a no no.

[MineralDiva]

Thanks Aquigioth.  You guys are the best!  I knew if there would be any chance of "trouble," you'd all let me know!  I feel so much better now that I've consulted the "wise sages of E-Hell!"

[MineralDiva]

Thanks Madge.  Yes, I think someone wearing the actual fatigues and pretending they've "been there" (wherever "there" happens to be), is disrespectful to those who have served.  Especially when they've tattered the fatigues and are wearing what look like service medals.

But this isn't even close to that.  I just didn't want to appear insensitive to those who might consider the outfit inappropriate.

Looks like from the reactions here, that won't be the case.  Phew!

[Pixie]

Thanks Aquigioth.  You guys are the best!  I knew if there would be any chance of "trouble," you'd all let me know!  I feel so much better now that I've consulted the "wise sages of E-Hell!"

I think it sounds very lovely, and if anyone is tacky enough to comment, just tell them you're "hiding" your hips, behind, whatever....   They'll probably share a laugh or even just a smile with you!   Have a wonderful time!

[MineralDiva]

LOL  Pixie.  I'll just slip outside, where no-one will be able to see me amongst the pine trees!  (I live in a national forest.)

Hey you guys!  This could be fun!  I can actually make myself "invisible!"  LOL

[housewife2k]

I panicked when I read your post title, as I have a wide variety of camo clothing, and wear it well, if I do say so myself. My dad was in the Navy, but that doesn't make me military. I called a dear friend and her husand, both former army, one special forces. She and her husband both said that it made them happy when other people wore camo respactfully, they had no problems with my skirts or pants, however they do take issue with the camo bra-style tops(which I wouldn't be caught dead in!) They said, among other things, that among a lot of military personell it is seen as a sign of support for our troops.
The no-nos (other than the bra tops) are wearing medals you have not earned, and wearing full BDUs if you haven't served.

[MineralDiva]

<<<<<She and her husband both said that it made them happy when other people wore camo respactfully, they had no problems with my skirts or pants, however they do take issue with the camo bra-style tops(which I wouldn't be caught dead in!) They said, among other things, that among a lot of military personell it is seen as a sign of support for our troops.>>>>

I wouldn't be caught dead in a camo bra-style top either!  I'm glad they see it as a sign of support.  I was hoping that would be an extra bonus.  The last thing I'd want to do is appear to be otherwise!