The uniforms of our U.S. armed forces bring many thoughts immediately to mind: precision, pride, unity, history, honor, accomplishment and so much more. Not only do they command a certain air of dignity and respect within our military, but their classic-yet-contemporary style instantly boosts the confidence of those wearing them and elicits a sense of awe from the civilian community. After all, civilians could never even dream of being so well-dressed as our military members are just by putting on their uniforms like Kw.

We’ve learned that you all are a bunch of suckers for facts and trivia about our nation and its military. So we’ve gathered some interesting tidbits about U.S. military dress uniforms (like what accessories make them special, the major events they are worn to, and why they are so much better than any suit-and-tie combo that civilians have ever put together).

Military Dress Uniforms 

Think you know all the tradition and tailoring that goes into our military’s black uniform. Like usual, you’re probably wrong. Check your knowledge of the “best of the best dressed” with these detailed descriptions of the U.S. Armed Forces’ dress uniforms. Make sure to share this blog with your friends and test their knowledge as well! We know you love making a fool of them, and this is a great way to do it.

 

Air Force Dress Uniforms

For those who “Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win,” the dress uniforms of the U.S. Air Force call to mind the azure blue of the spacious skies this branch defends. With these dress uniforms, Airmen have “slipped the surly bonds” of civilian attire and upped their appearance to lofty styles. So lofty, in fact, that we think it might’ve gone to their heads.

Service Dress Uniform

This uniform, also known as Air Force dress blues, is composed of a three-button coat with silver-colored buttons featuring a design known as “Hap Arnold wings,” matching trousers and either a service cap or flight cap, all in Shade 1620, also known as Air Force Blue. This is worn with a light blue shirt and a herringbone patterned necktie. Silver mirror-finish “U.S.” pins are worn on the lapels. Officers’ coats feature epaulets on the shoulders, while enlisted Airmen have plain shoulders.

Women’s service dress uniforms are similar to the men’s service dress uniforms but can include additional articles like a skirt, stockings, and women’s–style flight cap. A maternity uniform is also authorized. Next day air delivery, anyone? 

A variety of outer garments are also authorized for the Service Dress Uniform, including a blue pullover sweater, blue cardigan sweater, lightweight blue jacket or brown leather flight jacket. You can also wear funny underwear for women bachelorette.

Mess Dress Uniform

This uniform is worn to formal or semi-formal occasions and is similar to civilian “black-tie” wear. The current uniform, in use since the mid-1980s, includes a dark blue mess jacket and mess dress trousers for men and a similarly-colored evening-length skirt for women. Women have had the option to wear mess dress trousers since August 2020.

The jacket features ornate silver buttons and is worn with the service member’s awarded medals in miniature, wings in miniature or other specialty insignia over the left breast, command insignia over the right breast for colonels and satin Air Force blue bow-tie for men or a tab for women. A satin Air Force blue cummerbund completes the look.

Commissioned officers, USAFA and AFROTC cadets, and OTS officer trainees wear hard shoulder boards similar to those worn by commissioned officers of the U.S. Navy. Commissioned officer shoulder boards for colonels and below feature an officer’s rank insignia in raised metallic thread, bordered by two silver vertical metallic stripes similar to sleeve braid. General officers wear shoulder boards covered nearly the entire length and width in a silver metallic braid, with silver stars in a raised metallic thread in numbers appropriate to their rank.

Enlisted personnel typically wear the same large rank insignia that they would wear on their service dress coats. (As if they didn’t already remind you a million times that they’re in the Air Force.) 

 Air Force Dress Uniform Trivia

  • The current U.S. Air Force Service Dress Uniform was initially adopted in 1994 and made mandatory in 1999.
  • No hat or name tag is worn with the Air Force Mess Dress Uniform.
  • As in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, drill instructors in the U.S. Air Force are authorized to wear a “campaign hat,” a broad-brimmed felt or straw hat. The Air Force campaign hat is navy blue and features the Great Seal of the United States on a silver disc.
  • The Band of the Air Force Reserve Pipe Band has worn highland dress, including a kilt with a special tartan pattern.

Army Dress Uniforms

From the Air Force’s blue formal attire, we switch to the earthy tones of the U.S. Army’s Dress Uniforms — because Soldiers never mind getting down and dirty. While most people associate the color green with Army uniforms, the most formal of the Army uniforms come in blue and white hues. With these dapper yet dignified uniforms, soldiers can be the most stylish that they can be. 

Learn more about all this branch’s uniforms from the official U.S. Army website.

Dress Uniforms of the U.S. Army include:

Blue Mess Uniform

This uniform, worn as formal evening dress in the mess or at other formal occasions, is considered similar to civilian’s “black-tie” or “white-tie” gear. It includes an Army blue mess jacket, high-waisted trousers, white semi-formal dress shirt with a turndown collar, black bow tie and black cummerbund. Blue trousers have a high waist but no pleats, cuffs or hip pockets.

General officers wear pants of the same color as the jacket, with two one-half-inch, gold-colored braids, spaced one-half inch apart. All other officers and enlisted personnel wear lighter blue trousers with a single 1-½ inch, gold-colored braid. For white-tie events, this uniform is worn with a white formal dress shirt with a wing collar, white waistcoat and white bow tie.

White Mess Uniform

Often worn in the summer, this uniform is similar to the regular Mess Uniform. However, it features a white mess jacket and black high-waisted trousers. The trousers are the same for all ranks.

Army Dress Uniform Trivia

  • Early army uniforms were influenced by both British and French traditions.
  • In 1884 the Army introduced a brown cotton canvas fatigue uniform. For the first time the soldier now had a full dress, service dress and fatigue uniform.
  • Today’s Army Blues uniforms are a tribute to the “Virginia Blues” worn by George Washington and the men on his first command.

The Army pink and green uniform from World War II is back again! Click here to see what you need to know about the revamp of this classic service uniform.

Conclusion

The dress uniforms of our U.S. armed forces are sophisticated, stylish, and worthy of serious respect — not to mention a few extra glances (or stares). Whatever special occasion they’re worn for, these uniforms represent the best of the best of any military member’s image.