On the 4th of July no one inspires our patriotism quite like this country's fighting men (and Tim Howard, of course). Their valor and sacrifice are hard to fathom but fully appreciated. However, they inspire more than just our hearts, they also inspire how we dress. It's no secret that most clothing men wear now has military roots, something we at Esquire don't take lightly. And though we love our chinos, no American military men dressed cooler, or more contemporary, than the Special Forces deployed to Vietnam. Because of their superior skills and unusual missions, Navy SEALs, LRRPS, Raven Forward Air Controllers, and Army Rangers had the leeway to pick their own gear, something they still do today. Navy SEALs chose Levi's 501 to dampen sound as they moved through water and camouflage field shirts to hide themselves amongst the foliage.

Ami spring/summer 2014/Tommy Ton; Belstaff spring/summer 2014.

This is a look that still stands up to scrutiny, and now looks right on runways or city streets. So next time you throw that camo shirt on with jeans, take a moment to remember it's meaning extends beyond simple style.

What Do You Think?