Why does it seem many women's formal clothes require the necktab?

Christian King — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:16:42 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 2:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:52:42 -0400

Female and male uniforms differ because we have different body types. The necktab - I don't know why we have a necktab. I guess because women usually don't wear ties or traditionally didn't? I don't know the history of female uniforms other than a few pictures I've seen and how ridiculous they used to be.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 11 at 2018 4:15 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:15:23 -0400

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 Private RallyPoint Member, this IS ridiculous!

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jul 11 at 2018 7:21 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:21:20 -0400

There is not really a reason. The WAF & WACs in WWII wore regular men's neckties with their uniforms, as did women Marines. Both the Navy and the Coast Guard women wore tabs. Uniforms change on a whim for all of the services except the Marines.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2018 8:12 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 08:12:05 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2018 10:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 10:59:42 -0400

https://www.military.com/undertheradar/2018/03/23/female-uniforms-were-just-worst.html

Kind of a light hearted article but sums up the history of women's military uniforms in the US:

Uniforms for female personnel started off on the right foot. In the early days of WWII the WAVES uniforms were designed by a former editor from Vogue who knew the wife of the then Under Secretary of Defense James Forrestal. Mrs. Forrestal had been a fashion editor at Vogue and wanted the ladies to look sharp. And they did. Even the coveralls back then were flattering.

But things went south from there with a low point around the 70’s to the 90’s where confusion reigned and no one was sure if women’s uniforms should make them look like actual women. We ended up in a sea of polyester and high-waist pants that are not kind to any shape or size. Today the battle rages on with efforts to make everyone look the same (which really means women pay for extra uniform items to look like men), and the average service member is left wondering why we spend so much on uniform changes but can’t seem to afford non-asbestos filled buildings. So here for your viewing enjoyment is a list of the worst uniforms and proposed uniforms for each service branch.

Female Uniforms That Were Just The Worst

There with a low point around the 70’s to the 90’s where we ended up in a sea of polyester and high-waist pants.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Aug 3 at 2023 3:57 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:57:43 -0400

Because females do not wear neckties in the military.