You’ve seen them a thousand times. You’re standing in a fitting room, or maybe you’re digging through a thrift store rack, and you find a crisp trench coat or a rugged field jacket. Your hands brush over those little fabric tabs buttoned down at the top of the sleeve. Ever wonder why? Most people just figure it’s "the look." They assume some designer in Milan decided shoulder flaps looked cool and everyone else just followed suit. Honestly, that’s only half the story. Those straps on shoulders of jacket designs—properly known in the garment world as epaulettes—have a history that is way more practical than just looking sharp for a Sunday brunch.
They weren't invented for fashion. They were invented for war.
The Gritty Backstory of Shoulder Straps
Back in the day, soldiers had a major problem: their gear kept sliding off. Think about the 19th-century infantryman. He’s carrying a heavy rifle sling, a canteen, a knapsack, and maybe a haversack for food. If you’ve ever tried to hike with a backpack while wearing a slick polyester jacket, you know the struggle. The straps constantly migrate toward your neck or slip off your arm. It’s annoying. For a soldier in the heat of a bayonet charge, it was potentially lethal.
The military solution was simple but brilliant. They sewed a strap onto the shoulder. You’d unbutton it, slide your bag strap underneath, and button it back down. Boom. Everything stayed in place.
But it didn't stop at utility. The British and French militaries realized these straps were the perfect real estate for showing off who was in charge. Before long, these simple fabric loops evolved into the ornate, fringed "epaulettes" we see on ceremonial dress uniforms today. By the time World War I rolled around, the British Burberry and Aquascutum trench coats solidified the straps on shoulders of jacket as a staple of functional menswear. They used them to hold gloves, whistles, or even to secure the strap of a gas mask bag. It’s one of those rare instances where a piece of clothing is literally a tool.
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Why Do We Still Have Them?
You probably aren't carrying a gas mask to the office. So why are they still there?
Designers like Yves Saint Laurent famously brought the "safari" look to high fashion in the late 1960s. He took the rugged, utilitarian elements of military wear—the cargo pockets, the khaki drills, and those iconic shoulder straps—and put them on the runway. It changed everything. Suddenly, the epaulette wasn't just for Colonels; it was for anyone who wanted to look "structured."
There is a psychological trick to these straps, too. They broaden the shoulders. If you have a narrower frame, a jacket with shoulder straps creates a more "V-shaped" silhouette. It mimics the look of a military officer’s posture. It’s a visual shorthand for authority and competence. Even if you’re just wearing it to buy milk, your brain registers that slightly more imposing silhouette.
Not All Straps Are Created Equal
If you start looking closely at different jackets, you’ll notice the construction varies wildly. On a high-end Filson or a vintage Barbour, those straps are often reinforced with heavy stitching because they expect you might actually hang something from them. On a fast-fashion jacket from a mall brand, they might be purely decorative, held down by a flimsy plastic button that’ll pop off the second you catch it on a car door.
- The Functional Loop: Usually found on genuine surplus or high-end heritage gear. These are long enough to actually fit a leather strap under.
- The Fixed Tab: Sometimes the strap is sewn down at both ends. It’s useless for holding anything, but it still provides that structural "bump" on the shoulder line.
- The Fringed Epaulette: Strictly for marching bands, historical reenactors, or particularly bold pop stars. Not recommended for your commute.
Practical Ways to Use Your Shoulder Straps Today
Kinda seems silly to have them and not use them, right? If you own a jacket with these straps, you can actually put them to work.
One of the most common modern uses is for your bag. If you carry a messenger bag or a tote, those straps are notorious for sliding off. If your jacket has epaulettes, unbutton one, slide your bag strap underneath, and re-fasten it. It feels a bit weird at first, but your bag will never slip again. It’s a game-changer for bike commuters or people who spend a lot of time weaving through crowds in the city.
Another "pro tip" involves your accessories. Ever taken off your scarf or hat and had nowhere to put it? You can loop a lightweight scarf through the shoulder strap and button it down. It keeps your hands free while you’re inside a shop or a train station. It’s also the traditional spot to tuck your gloves. Slide the palms under the strap so they hang down the front of your chest. It looks a bit "aviation chic," but it works.
The "Shoulder Strap" Identity Crisis
There’s a bit of a debate in the tailoring world about whether these belong on modern clothing. Some purists argue that unless you’re actually in the armed forces, wearing epaulettes is a form of "stolen valor" or just plain LARPing. That’s probably taking it too far. However, there is a legitimate "style" argument.
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On a formal overcoat, shoulder straps can look a bit cluttered. They break up the clean line of the shoulder. If you’re going for a minimalist, sleek look, you probably want to avoid them. But on a casual field jacket, a denim trucker, or a classic leather motorcycle jacket? They’re essential. Without them, the jacket can look "flat."
Think about the iconic M-65 field jacket. It’s been worn by everyone from Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver to countless street style influencers. The straps on shoulders of jacket are a core part of that DNA. If you took them off, the jacket would just look like a bulky shirt. They provide texture. They provide history.
Caring for Your Epaulettes
Nothing ruins the look of a good jacket faster than a floppy, curling shoulder strap. Because these straps sit on the highest point of your body, they take a lot of abuse from the sun and rain.
- Keep them buttoned. If you leave them unbuttoned, the fabric will eventually "memory" into a curled shape. It looks sloppy.
- Check the tension. If you actually use them to hold a heavy bag, keep an eye on the button thread. Bag straps put a lot of lateral force on that button. If it feels loose, reinforce it with some heavy-duty thread before it falls off in the street.
- Steam, don't just iron. If the straps get crushed in a closet, a quick hit of steam is better than pressing them flat with an iron, which can create shiny "scorch" marks on synthetic fabrics.
Real Talk on Modern Trends
In the last couple of years, we've seen a shift. Brands like Stone Island or Acronym have taken the idea of the "shoulder strap" and modernized it. They aren't just fabric tabs anymore. Now, you’ll see nylon webbing, modular "MOLLE" attachments, or even straps that allow you to carry the entire jacket like a backpack when you get too hot.
This is the evolution of the straps on shoulders of jacket. We’ve moved from holding leather ammunition pouches to holding AirPods cases and carabiners. It’s the same "functional" spirit, just updated for 2026. Whether you call them epaulettes, shoulder tabs, or just "those flappy things," they remain one of the few parts of a jacket that still connects us to the practical needs of people a century ago.
Moving Forward With Your Style
Next time you’re shopping, look at the shoulders. If you see straps, ask yourself if you want that "structured" look. If you’re a person with sloped shoulders, those straps are your best friend. They’ll give you a more squared-off, confident appearance.
If you already have a jacket with epaulettes, try using them. Seriously. Next time you're at a coffee shop and your bag keeps slipping off your shoulder while you're trying to pay, remember that little button. It’s not just there for decoration. It’s a 200-year-old piece of engineering sitting right on your shoulder, waiting to be useful.
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Take a look at the buttons on your current favorite coat. If they’re loose, grab a needle and thread today. It’s a five-minute fix that prevents you from losing a piece of the jacket’s identity forever. If you’re looking to buy something new, prioritize jackets where the straps are actually functional—look for reinforced stitching and sturdy buttons rather than just "sewn-on" decorative tabs. Your wardrobe should work as hard as you do.