Posted on Nov 4, 2014
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Dress whites
Marines! and anyone else who cares, What are your thoughts on the abolished Marine Dress white Uniform? Does anybody from the RP community still own a set?

I for one think they look snazzy as all hell, hypothetically, if they were to return how do you think they would be recieved
Posted in these groups: Afp getty 511269685 Dress Uniform
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Responses: 10
LtCol Robert Quinter
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Edited 8 y ago
They were a good looking uniform when made of cotton, however, they switched over to an artificial fabric (dacron?) and started having problems with yellowing if not properly laundered (like aboard ship). Don't know what the Uniform Board justification for dropping them was, but was relieved I wouldn't have to see various off white shades when we gathered at a function. The dacron laid better and wasn't as prone to wrinkling, but, to me, it looked like crap.
Yes, I still have three sets, my original cotton, my dacron that I wore only a few times, then another cotton that I bought from a retiring officer when they were no longer available to replace my dacron.
Also still have the Mess Dress blouse that was worn with the black trousers.
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited 11 y ago
Sgt (Join to see), I always liked the Marine Dress White uniform and would welcome its return. I also like the Army White uniform (but for the black shoes) and was sad to see it go as well. However, I'm retired and even if they reprised the Army White uniform, it's not likely I'd ever have reason to wear it!
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
10 y
F69fcafa
LTC Paul Labrador, I'm aware that the white mess (black tie) and white evening mess (white tie) uniforms are still authorized and worn. I was referring to the Army White uniform, which looked like the old dress green uniform, but was white. Frankly, I liked them all!
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SGT Frank Allen
SGT Frank Allen
8 y
I need to buy one of this I was actually married in mine in 1986 and it was destroyed in Hurricane Flood. As a veteran, since I have become a disabled veteran I am wanting tarpaper a shadow box using that jacket. would you being willing to sale it door you know someone that has one for sale.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
8 y
SGT Frank Allen, that's not me depicted above, but the photo of an Army general that I pulled off the internet! I never owned an Army White uniform, although I wish I had!
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1LT Quartermaster Officer
1LT (Join to see)
>1 y
LTC Stephen C. - Army Service White uniform. Was phased out in 2014. I saw a MAJ wearing that uniform in Florida 1986. I was on a Naval Base at the time and first thought he was a Navy officer. It looked sharp, but no SSI or tabs.
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1stLt Michael Sagehorn
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Commissioned and married in dress whites. I like the idea of the cotton fabric- I had the Dacron set. For warm climates, like Camp Lejeune and any Marine Corps base in the South or Asia, they were comfortable. I joined after the demise of the khaki blouse and trousers- trops . Like dress whites, the khaki uniform made sense in the climates Marines encountered. Too bad.
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What are your thoughts on the abolished Marine Dress white Uniform?
1stLt Michael Sagehorn
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Great piece of gear. Looked sharp in warm climates. Got married in them.
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Capt James Garrett
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Capt. J. Garrett onboard ,this the top of dress uniform that has been in place since the 1700s
and the start of the separation and desideratum for Officer's you might as well put it in the closet, when the Marine's are needed again we'll be able to dictate to Congress what the hell we have earned to wear, there is nothing that compares to a MARINE CORPS OFFICER IN DRESS WHITES with all his service on his chest. Tell Chesty to throw away his dress whites and then get ready for the explosion,! As far as tailoring try using Egyptian cotton, it's as sturdy as any Marine and it cleans up beautifully. If there are questioning about it ask another Marine, he'll tell it like it is.
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Martin Power
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I'm from NZ and am a fanatical Marine supporter. I would love to see the dress whites come back as it reinforces the Marine Corps links with the Navy. But maybe that's the problem. Brass at the Department of the Navy don't want those darn devil-dogs wearing THEIR uniform. That's just my opinion.
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Martin Power
Martin Power
8 y
Marines holla if you like a Kiwi being a US Marine supporter!! A lot of guys in the NZ Army would hate me but, what the hell.
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LCDR Surface Warfare Officer
LCDR (Join to see)
8 y
Nah... We just don't want the Marines to show us up in 'our' uniform. ;-)
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Sgt Dion King
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I hv my dress blues,but was just on line trying to find some dress whites,to be buried,in,so this just sucks,who was the cheese puff,that decide to get rid,of them,someone,needs to be dropping down,and giving us 25.
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SGT Aaron Atwood
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Appearance-wise, they do look sharp. As a musician we still wear the white trousers with our blues coats depending on the event we are supporting. I would not look forward, however, to the extra care and maintenance that would be necessary to keep them in the best appearance and serviceable. I went through MOS school with soldiers and sailors, and remember vividly the troubles the boot sailors would go through to keep their summer white uniforms in good appearance.
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MSgt Daniel Attilio
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I don't think I would be onboard for this one. I did not like when we had to purchase/wear the white trousers for the summer Blues. I remember wearing them to a Mess Night and being paranoid - everyone else was as well -that something would drop or spill, stain and permanently ruin the trousers.
Of all the dress uniforms the Mess Dress was by far my favorite, chukkas and all. They were sharp, and comfortable.
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Capt Walter Miller
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Edited 11 y ago
I was totally surprised when I found out dress whites had been abolished. On the other hand when we deployed to Okinawa we had to take dress greens, dress blues -and- dress whites. That was the uniform at the 3rd Mardiv Marine Corps ball for officers, and that is where my avatar pic was taken in 1983. I still have mine, but they don't fit.

If they were revived probably most would be none too thrilled. I wonder how General Amos missed making that a priority?
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