The spirals on the noses of German fighter planes in World War II weren't a fashion statement. They had some very practical reasons for being there.

World War II aircraft were painted in a wide assortment of colors, from shades of gray to olive drab, blue, and camouflage patterns. British planes were painted Dark Earth, Dark Green, and Night ...

The Germans primarily painted spirals on the nosecones of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, two of the best German fighter planes of WW2.The spirals worked well to promote safety.