NationStates Jolt Archive

My daughter just called to bitch. One of her staff sergeants is getting promoted and she has to buy a woman officer's mess dress uniform (USAF). Apparently this involves a long skirt, heels, pleats and a cummerbund. Anyone got pictures of one?

She's the one who wanted to be an officer.

Apparently this involves a long skirt, heels, pleats and a cummerbund. Anyone got pictures of one?
This is US Army, but it sounds much the same:

http://www.miscuse.dk/womeninuniform/usarmy/mess_dress.jpg

Ew... military dress nowadays are so gross looking.

What happened to the good old days of the noble frock coats and tricornes? :(

Ew... military dress nowadays are so gross looking.

What happened to the good old days of the noble frock coats and tricornes? :(

Or heavy suits of shiny armor.:(

Or heavy suits of shiny armor.:(

Yeah. I think she'd go for the Joan of Arc look.

Maybe I'm just biased here, but I don't think all military dress ubiforms look ridiculous...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b247/motherofgod90/MarineDressBlues.jpg

These look good par example...

Maybe I'm just biased here, but I don't think all military dress ubiforms look ridiculous...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b247/motherofgod90/MarineDressBlues.jpg

These look good par example...
Yeah, I'll admit those look spiffy.

Maybe I'm just biased here, but I don't think all military dress ubiforms look ridiculous...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b247/motherofgod90/MarineDressBlues.jpg

These look good par example...

An exception amongst the rule.
I second the vote for greatcoats & tricornes.

You should be able to find whatever you need at aafes.com as far as uniforms go. That or the on base PX should have/be able to order them.

Yeah, I'll admit those look spiffy.

Best uniform in the US military. I think it's the collar. Or perhaps the sword. Or the hat.

Yes, the hat. Always the hat.

The porkpie hat, the choker collar, and the red piping on the black wool.

Best uniform in the US military. I think it's the collar. Or perhaps the sword. Or the hat.

Yes, the hat. Always the hat.

And the spiffy buttons.:wink:

Yes, the hat. Always the hat.

What is it about Dress Caps? They look like soufflé pans for brains.

The Garrison Cap and beret make sense. They keep the head warm while being easy to store, slip in a belt, or tuck in an epaulette. Pith helmets and campaign hats keep the sun off your nose and neck.

But dress caps, or peak caps aren't comfortable, don't store well, and provide little if any protection. It looks like the only thing they do well is provide instant identification. Only military or law enforcement personnel would wear the damn things, and that because "they have to" or "it's traditional". Silly.

I think the sole point of dress uniforms is to make the wearer feel like an idiot.

What is it about Dress Caps? They look like soufflé pans for brains.

The Garrison Cap and beret make sense. They keep the head warm while being easy to store, slip in a belt, or tuck in an epaulette. Pith helmets and campaign hats keep the sun off your nose and neck.

But dress caps, or peak caps aren't comfortable, don't store well, and provide little if any protection. It looks like the only thing they do well is provide instant identification. Only military or law enforcement personnel would wear the damn things, and that because "they have to" or "it's traditional". Silly.

But they look good. And that's what counts. No one remembers the Wehrmacht for their Adventures in russia or their vacations to France. They remember them for having extremely spiffing uniforms.

Sun-Tsu says "uniforms, spiffy and well kept, are greater then a thousand warriors with the best arms".

But they look good. And that's what counts. No one remembers the Wehrmacht for their Adventures in russia or their vacations to France. They remember them for having extremely spiffing uniforms.

Sun-Tsu says "uniforms, spiffy and well kept, are greater then a thousand warriors with the best arms".

...he also said, "Polish your buttons well, that they might blind your enemy".

...he also said, "Polish your buttons well, that they might blind your enemy".

A fine piece of advice from the master of all things warfare.

A fine piece of advice from the master of all things warfare.

Indeed, though his other 'skills' weren't quite so lucid - The Art of Interior Decorating bombed in sales for good reason. It sucked.

Marine dress blues are definitely cool. I've always liked them among U.S. military uniforms. The only uniforms I really don't like are the classic Navy crackerjack box uniform - the white with the neckerchief.

Indeed, though his other 'skills' weren't quite so lucid - The Art of Interior Decorating bombed in sales for good reason. It sucked.

But "The Art of Beating Children to Ensure their Obedience" sold well in Peking.