Your Complete Guide to Military Twill

If you’re experimenting with new fabrics in your wardrobe for the very first time, then a phrase like “military twill” can sound, well, a little intimidating. On the surface level, “military twill” sounds like the fabrics used in woolen army blankets—more “survival gear” than fashionable clothing.

But military twill, while useful, is hardly the scratchy woolen fabric you’re imagining. In fact, it’s not a fabric at all, but a weaving pattern—often made with cotton. Denim can often be found in a twill weave, as can chino—two of the most common clothes that people wear. And if you want to incorporate more twill in your wardrobe to project a sharp and sophisticated vibe, it will help to know a little more about this essential weaving pattern:

Defining and Identifying Twill

First, browse around our Military Twill clothing options. Click an item like the Military Twill Classic Fit British Tan trousers and zoom in on the picture to get an idea of what you’ll expect to see with military twill. You’ll notice a thick, comfortable-looking fabric that doesn’t look too “dressy”—but also doesn’t look too “casual.” It’s a great versatile weaving pattern that can function in any number of social situations, which makes military twill perfect for anyone who wants to invest in a new pair of pants that they can use both at the office and on a day off.

You can sift through countless visual examples of twill to get an idea of what you’re looking at; anytime you notice a diagonal pattern in a weave, there’s a chance you’re looking at twill. And because of the unique weaving pattern, twill is actually different on one side than the other, giving it a distinct difference between “front” and “back.” Knowing this difference is crucial if you ever plan on identifying twill from other types of fabric weaves.

What is Twill Good For?

Twill has a number of advantages when used as a fabric in clothing:

• Durability: Twill is very strong, especially on the outside or “front” face, which helps prevent holes from building up or excessive wear and tear, even if you use your military twill pants on a regular basis. This is one reason twill is used so often for military purposes: when durability counts, so does the weaving of the fabric you’re wearing.
• Sturdiness: Think of twill as a “blue-collar” fabric. It’s great for work clothes— like jeans, which means it can withstand a higher degree of punishment than other fabrics. “Military twill” follows the same pattern: strength on top of durability.
• Versatility: Twill can be used in a number of ways to create different fabric effects. Denim, chino, herringbone, and a number of other fabric types are made from twill patterns.

Knowing about military twill—and twill in general—should boost your confidence. Twill is in all sorts of fabrics, including many of the clothes you own. Investing in a durable pair of military twill pants isn’t just a way to look good; it’s way to look good and ensure that you’ll have a strong pair of trousers you can wear for a long time.