Annette LaFleur is one of the people Mary Roach interviews in Grunt, her book about the world of military science. LaFleur is a fashion designer for the US Army and designs many of the uniforms that soldiers wear every day. In order to design combat uniforms, LaFleur must consider an item’s functionality in a war zone. For example, snipers can’t have ordinary metal zippers because the reflective metal might give away their position. Even ordinary buttons must meet a certain compression standard before they can be used on military uniforms. LaFleur must also figure out how to work with various kinds of protective fabrics (such as those that guard against fire or water). In making protective clothing, LaFleur must consider all of the potential ways a soldier could be injured—from their head to their heels. In their department, scientists and designers must work together to determine what kind of gear is necessary and most effective. Aside from function, LaFleur points out that the style of the gear is very important. In reality, uniforms and protective gear must look “cool” in order for soldiers to want to wear it, and encouraging soldiers to wear all of their protective gear is crucial in combat zones. Often, military gear inspires civilian fashion, and people in the fashion industry have identified the Department of Defense as a major trendsetter in men's fashion.
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