Posted on Jul 11, 2018
Why does it seem many women's formal clothes require the necktab?
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So I've noticed this when my friend posted a picture of her and a couple buddies in their dress blues (USMC). The women all had a necktab thing, I had to google the term, with their shirts showing more and the guys had the regular collared jackets where the shirt was barely visible. I ended up looking at Army and Navys formal clothes and saw the same thing.
Just wanted to know if anyone knew why it was like that. In my honest opinion, I personally prefer the way the mens looks and can't see any functional reason why the womens looks different, other than a desire to tell them apart. Which also makes little sense to me given you wear the same uniform regardless, the only difference being acceptable hair lengths.
So trying not to sound disrespectful and rude, but just curious on why there's a different jacket (excuse my ignorance if that's the wrong term btw) for men and women. And lets say, for whatever reason, a female wants to wear the mens jacket instead. Is that possible or does she have to wear the females one?
Again, really not trying to sound rude but my curiosity got the best of me and I can't figure out why when I Googled it, other than reading about (for reasons I can't decipher) some guys angry responses to Marines shifting towards a mens style jacket for women.
Just wanted to know if anyone knew why it was like that. In my honest opinion, I personally prefer the way the mens looks and can't see any functional reason why the womens looks different, other than a desire to tell them apart. Which also makes little sense to me given you wear the same uniform regardless, the only difference being acceptable hair lengths.
So trying not to sound disrespectful and rude, but just curious on why there's a different jacket (excuse my ignorance if that's the wrong term btw) for men and women. And lets say, for whatever reason, a female wants to wear the mens jacket instead. Is that possible or does she have to wear the females one?
Again, really not trying to sound rude but my curiosity got the best of me and I can't figure out why when I Googled it, other than reading about (for reasons I can't decipher) some guys angry responses to Marines shifting towards a mens style jacket for women.
Posted in these groups: 
Women in the Military
Dress Uniform
Women in the Military Dress Uniform
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Don't know the origin, Christian King, but I thought you might be interested to see the neck tab for Navy female uniforms in the seventies! SFC Kelly Fuerhoff, this IS ridiculous!
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Christian King
Ugh that looks worse than now. I googled it, along with other branches, and went "wtf". Looks just weird to me. The part of me that grew up seeing some form of functionality per military uniform, regardless of branch, can't wrap it's head around the entire design. But you are very right here, that IS ridiculous.
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LTC Stephen C.
Capt Gregory Prickett, I think this uniform may well be the ugliest female uniform of all services for all time! The sea foam green uniform worn by WACs in the seventies! Made out of polyester, of course! My model appears to be the same as your model! SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
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SFC Jim Ruether
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - I just loved the way she could fly minus the ailerons and elevators. It must have been some kind of wing warping!
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Segregating my response from anything even remotely resembling a "soci-political" statement here...bear in mind that military fashion is a weird venue. Uniforms reflect a combination of traditions, practical function and yes...the whims of Generals, Admirals, and more than likely...even their wives LOL! I heard an Admiral's wife was responsible for a number of uniforms at USNA at one point; whether that is true or not-it makes for a good story.
When it comes to female uniforms, I think we have to consider that they are, whether anyone likes it or not, an afterthought of sorts. In the "early days", I think they were trying to modify existing "looks" to expectations of female appearance...hence those of WWI/WWII. Later one, they were probably trying to emulate more "fashionable" looks of the times....those namely being the 1960's and 1970's. Without a doubt, this included some thoughts, good-bad or ugly, in an attempt to tailor uniforms to the female body shape. More recently, I believe it's fair to say (again, irrespective of how anyone feels on the subject) they are trying to do the opposite...make a more "seamless" appearance across the genders.
I will say this...and leave it there...the female Marine Corps uniform is, was and probably always be the most "attractive" of the services.
When it comes to female uniforms, I think we have to consider that they are, whether anyone likes it or not, an afterthought of sorts. In the "early days", I think they were trying to modify existing "looks" to expectations of female appearance...hence those of WWI/WWII. Later one, they were probably trying to emulate more "fashionable" looks of the times....those namely being the 1960's and 1970's. Without a doubt, this included some thoughts, good-bad or ugly, in an attempt to tailor uniforms to the female body shape. More recently, I believe it's fair to say (again, irrespective of how anyone feels on the subject) they are trying to do the opposite...make a more "seamless" appearance across the genders.
I will say this...and leave it there...the female Marine Corps uniform is, was and probably always be the most "attractive" of the services.
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