It’s arguably the best uniform in the U.S. Dept of Defense, and we know it! Dress Blues are worn for formal occasions and has largely maintained its current form since the late 19th century.
Dress Blues!
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My platoon mates and I were never issued Dress Blues (Feb-Apr 1967) except for the honor graduate. I think they cost $40 then, which was equal to 10 or 11 cases of beer at the time. Beer won out in that situation. I spent my 3 years and 6 days in utilities.
SEMPER FI Brother, join the club
Platoon 318, Parris Island, graduated March 66. I was the platoon guide , but the Dress Blues went to a butterball Marine name Christoffel, the son or relative of a Marine Col. After that I was never interested in owning the Blues
Did not know until recently when I was considering purchasing dress blues ,that as a E2, I could not get the red on the trousers
BLOOD STRIPE
Traditionally, Officers, Staff Noncommissioned Officers, and Noncommissioned Officers of the Marine Corps have worn this scarlet red stripe on their dress blue trousers to commemorate the courage and tenacious fighting of the men who fought in the Battle of Chapultepec in September of 1847.
I honestly don’t mean to be a jerk, but your comment makes no sense. In all sincerity, were you absent from class when they taught us the reason for the “blood stripe”, and who gets to wear it? Eg: represents the blood we shed at the battle of Chapultepec…1847…one of the many history classes they give us. I know I’m not the only one wondering why you don’t know this. Did they not teach your company in bootcamp this class???? I do realize that that is a possibility. No disrespect intended. I’m just confused by your comment.
I’m old school. I thought and still believe that the older Dress Blues for female Marines was outstanding. They also showed a unique style that was ALL female Marines.
Now they wear the same blues as male Marines.
Sorry, but that takes away something from them.
SF
C.B. Clement
MSgt. USMC Ret. 1965-1985
In a way yes it does take away the unique style but I always wanted my dress blues jacket to be like the men’s. I always thought it looked sharper than mine. I still have my dress bles from when I was in and I wouldn’t ever trade them but I do want the other one. At some point I will get it.
Also as I’ve always been a tomboy and country girl at heart I would have preferred pant to a skirt. I’ll be getting those too. I’ll have both versions of the dress blues!
Gaye Lyn Howard
Sgt. USMC 1992 -2000
I agree. They are the best.
Survivor spouse of one of the
Few the Proud the
MARINES
Semper Fi
SGT
Delfino M. Amador
1974-1978 USMC
1956-2018 Guarding the gates of heaven
Dress blues, when properly attired, will slice thru steel! OOHRAHH!
3rd week in Feb. ’64 at P.I.,we were marched to the photo studio for potential Publicity photos, Not the skin head photos used for ID card.
We took off our utility blouse And given the front part of dress blues with tie strings on the back side and the white dress blues cover for the photograph. The color photograph was sent to my home address.
Photograph still looks very impressive.
SemperFi
I graduated in August 1990, and was pleasantly surprised that Blues were standard issue at the time. Proud to have earned the Blood Stripe. Semper Fi!
A few years ago the Officer Dress Whites (for summer wear) were replaced by a modified version of the Blues: blue coat with white trousers. Very good looking uniform.
In the 60’s, only the Marines at 8th & I could wear dress blue tunic with white trousers.
I was a Capt 1970-73, and saved my blues for any celebration of life for me. Had them cleaned 3 years ago, safely sealed so they would be pristine for my taps. But lost our home, and all contents, last September in an Oregon wildfire. This was one of my lost treasures from half a century ago. Happy upcoming USMC Birthday to all.
Graduated PI November 1994. Had to buy them. My mom wanted to see me so desperately in my dress blue so
when I got, I flew all the way from 29 Palms to Upstate New York so she could see her baby boy deplane in the finest military uniform ever made..
Love ya Ma….Rest in peace.
SF
Truth be told , I joined the Corps because of the dress blue uniform. Spent 5 1/2 years in the suck and never bought a set. In 64 you got the front for the picture and that’s all. My son also a Corps vet, got them as standard issue. Semper Fi brothers and sisters. USMC 64/69 RVN 65/66/69
As a sailor who spent 4 years with the Corps. No better uniform. But I did ok in my choker whites
Hi Folks : What ever Happened to the
“ Leather Neck “ uniform and when
and why ? Thanks
I joined in 67 , you had to buy Blues then . I figured I would never own a set . Went to Vietnam , came back to Camp LeJune and was transfered to Marine Barracks , Boston Mass. Blues were required there, the Marine Corps had to give me a set . Sweet. And the best part is at 73 they still fit me. USMC 67/70 20 months in RVN
P/ S. I ment the
“ WHITE Leather Neck “ uniform
They were the sharpest looking ever
On subject of nice, sharp Marine uniforms, for me it was the Tropical uniform. Initially, I didn’t like it.
My favorite uniform is Greens. I was issued the old wool ones. Once the trousers were pressed a few times they held the crease forever. My issue included one blouse, an Ike jacket and the old horse blanket overcoat. I still have all three. As for covers, the pisscutter is my all time favorite. I didn’t like the barracks hat. Too bulky. Never owned a set of Blues. Never wanted to. Too ornate. They called too much attention to ones self. I am a Marine which is enough for me. During my four year hitch I can’t recall a single one of my buddies who did own a set. Are you the Alvin Stokes who earned the Silver Star in Vietnam?
Hey Marine, yes it’s me.
As of 2000, USMC Full Dress White no longer exists.
Huge article on WIKIPEDIA:
The Blue-White Dress uniform is similar to the Blue Dress uniform, except the trousers, skirt, or slacks are white instead of blue, and do not sport scarlet stripes. The white trousers are not authorized for wear with either the long-sleeved or the short-sleeved khaki shirt, precluding the existence of “C” and “D” uniform versions.
Prior to 1998, the “Blue-White” dress uniform was authorized to be worn for the ceremonial units at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (most famously the Silent Drill Platoon and Color guard). Since then, it has become the authorized summer dress uniform for all officers and SNCOs (unless they are in formation with personnel who are not authorized to wear the uniform). NCOs and junior enlisted personnel may only wear white trousers for ceremonies and social events, if authorized and provided by the command structure. This uniform replaced, in 2000, an all-white uniform, similar in appearance to that of the Navy officer’s white dress uniform.
P/ S. I ment the
“ WHITE Leather Neck “ uniform
They were the sharpest looking ever
One Final Remembrance , and one of my best. . In 1963 I was an Explorer in BSA And had the privilege of being a “ Devil Pup “ at Camp Pendleton . My most memorable thought is of the Turnstiles at the Movie Theatre .
Got mine when a Pvt in J’ville in 57. Got married in them in 60 and still going strong. The Blues are in storage.
Most recognized uniform in the world.
gbrut1115@aol.com i was in the marines 1953 till tell 1957 i sprnt the last yr in hospital i was there for the drinking water and my kidney st albuns hospital the water at camp lejune im 100 per cent
Joined in March, 1958 and used the fake Blues for our picture. Later on, I remember that when someone would ask “What’s the uniform of the day?” some wise ass would chirp “Dress Blues, shower shoes – and a light coat of oil.”
I enjoyed reading these stories. I agree that the dress blues are sharp looking Every Marine wearing them looks handsome. Thank you. Semper Fi
Was in the 2nd company in U.S. Marine Corps history where everyone graduated wearing blues, (eg: Feb, 1990). Commandant at the time felt that blues were synonymous with the Corps, so everyone will have a set. Pretty awesome sight though, with the entire parade ground at MCRD SD filled with Blues. I, for one, agreed with the Commandant. I think we all did, (family members included). I also remember the fake blues for boot pictures. Wore my blues every chance I ever got. Kinda got in trouble when I wore them to my cousins wedding though, cuz I got every bit as much attention as she did. Filled me with pride all over again when I finally got to put the blood stripe on the trousers. Had HUGE bruises on my legs from getting the stripes pinned. But I carried those bruises with pride. I miss wearing the uniform. I like the greens almost as much as the blues, but am eternally grateful for having blues. Wouldn’t trade them for anything…ever.
In the 60’s, all officers, in all branches, were authorized $800 to buy all uniforms and accessories. All branches, except you know who, had money left over. Marine officers had to augment. The biggest waste was dress whites, to be worn in the summer months in lieu of dress blues. Wore them ONE time!
I got my blues after boot camp. Took them home and the folks kept them when I went back to MOS training. Right after training I went overseas. I got home after 17 months overseas and my mom took them out and wanted me to wear them to church. I wore them, and we took a picture of me in my blues and my father in his WWII U.S. Army uniform. It was the only time I ever wore them because I went on to my next duty station, leaving the blues at home with the folks. I got out of the Corps, got married, and the wife and I started our life together. Then our home burned down totally and we lost everything. But I still have that picture of my father and I. I’m pointing at his arm as he had THREE stripes. I only had TWO. He still outranked me.
in spring of 1968, no Blues issued, on first leave in August 68 I fit into my brothers Blues from 1959,(both lean at 6’2″/170 ) wore them to church once to please my Mother. That was it for my next 4 years.
Came back to the world & home at alittle less than 170 in Greens with 3 stripes-dang they don’t fit now in 49 years I’ve gained 40 pounds, could be worse. Even my gourd got bigger, my Utility cover doesn’t fit either???
This talk about uniforms makes me think of the Salty or non PC names we had for our Garrison Caps/Covers. Any of you from the 60’s will know what I mean. The nomenclature has to do with the shape of the Garrison covers, S/F enjoy everyday.