What are your thoughts on the abolished Marine Dress white Uniform?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:42:36 -0500

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

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 26 at 2014 11:53 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 11:53:32 -0500

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?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 26 at 2014 10:09 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 22:09:38 -0500

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member, 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!

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Oct 26 at 2015 1:47 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 13:47:47 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Mar 20 at 2016 9:45 PM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:45:44 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Dion King made Nov 3 at 2017 1:34 PM

Sgt Dion King — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:34:05 -0400

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.

Response by Martin Power made Dec 27 at 2017 6:59 PM

Martin Power — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 18:59:14 -0500

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.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 27 at 2017 8:30 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:30:28 -0500

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.

Response by Capt James Garrett made Jul 14 at 2018 8:15 PM

Capt James Garrett — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 20:15:12 -0400

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.

Response by 1stLt Michael Sagehorn made Mar 16 at 2022 11:19 PM

1stLt Michael Sagehorn — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 23:19:00 -0400

Great piece of gear. Looked sharp in warm climates. Got married in them.

Response by 1stLt Michael Sagehorn made Jul 6 at 2022 4:53 PM

1stLt Michael Sagehorn — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:53:02 -0400

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.