$62 Million is A Lot to Spend on 'Uninspiring' Military Uniforms

on December 29, 2011 at 3:24 PM

British soldiers If I was going to spend a whole lot of money on something I'd wear every day, it would definitely be cute, comfortable, and stylish. Apparently, the British government doesn't feel the same way. The head honchos across the pond recently spent $62 million on new uniforms for their soldiers, and it seems that the verdict on the new style is anything but positive.

In fact, the new Multi Terrain Pattern uniform allegedly looks like "something from Toys 'R' Us," according to one soldier, and is unflattering, made of cheap fabric, and doesn't fit right. Eeeek!

I've got to be honest, I never really thought that fashion was important to troops. But now? I'm convinced it does. In fact, I'm wondering if this fashion faux pas of epic poportions could actually be hindering their performance. My guess? Most definitely.

Whether or not you're in the military, If you feel good about what you're wearing, then you'll be better in what you're wearing. Think about that feeling you get when you're sporting a stellar pair of stilettos. It's as if automatically we feel sexier and more confident, right?

I'd think that any member of the armed forces would want to feel the same way. These men and women represent everything that their country is about and want to put their best food forward doing so. Chrissy Rodgers of the 38 Brigade in Northern Ireland says in the new duds, she feels unattractive:

[The] uniform [is] as shapeless and uninspiring as Action Man's. I always thought part of military discipline and the pride soldiers take in themselves was down to appearance.

Amen, sister. While I could understand if they had to completely sacrifice flattering cut for functionality, say if the style featured a never-before-seen camouflage that helped them hide in discreet locales, that would be one thing. However, it seems that's not the case here.

If many of the British soldiers feel the same way as Rodgers, then I think there's only one solution. Some sort of change must be made. One thing is for sure: Both here in the U.S. and abroad, soldiers deserve the best of the best.

Do you think the British soldiers should get new new uniforms?

Image via isafmedia/ Flickr

About the author Emily Abbate

is a blogger and Editorial Assistant here at The Stir.

Filed Under: clothes, style, military

Comments (5)

jaxmadre

on Dec 29, 2011 at 4:17 PM

Having a good uniform is important. For function, comfort, and pride.
I'm wearing my military uniform right now. It's ok. I LOVE the Marine's uniform, and wish the Air Force would take a page from their book! The US Marines uniforms look sharp in my opinion. Next I like the Navy's uniforms. I like they have the utility uniform--it makes sense--and I wish the AF would bring in something like that. I sit at a desk for my military job, and don't see the reason why I have to lace up green combat boots in order to do it. I have permanent dents in my legs from it. !!

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RaeAnne.USAF

on Dec 29, 2011 at 8:24 PM

jaxmadre....you're right (no sarcasm here) our dress blues suck! My brother is a Marine and I've always admired his uniform. And then I got my baggy, unflattery, bus driver suit. Hopefully it will change one day, I can always keep my fingers crossed right?

LilPatricksMomy

on Dec 29, 2011 at 10:21 PM

Rest easy ladies, I hear the USAF is trying to go back to the old dress uniform that looks much much better.

As far as the camo goes, I like the AF camo. NOT a fan of navy camo.... Yuck. USMC camo? Looks like woodland camo and it just does nothing for me. Then again, it doesn't really have to because it's not me that wears it, but I like my hubby looking sexy :o)

The green boots I do agree with. It makes everyone look more "uniform". Before November of this year you had the old school black boots, the crappy tan ones that NEVER stayed clean no matter what and the green ones. Now at least everyone looks uniform.

Now if only they could get the PT gear together.

mommynurse1315

on Dec 29, 2011 at 10:38 PM

I have to agree on this. I didn't like my ACU's a ton but they didnt look horrible. The dress greens looked downright nasty! I was so glad when they switched to all dress blues..I just wish they had done it before I got out!

on Dec 30, 2011 at 8:22 AM

Yeah I still have the "swish swish swish swish" pt uniform! Hey, no one can sneak up on you in that thing! I think it's funny. Glad they made quieter shorts--wish they would hand them out to everyone, though.

Who can make the cheapest uniform!? The AF ABUs are made by different vendors, so there's a huge varience in color and quality depending on who made it. I make sure my top & bottoms colors match when I buy them, but not everyone does! Why should that even be an issue, realistically? There's a lot of people walking around with grey ABU pants and green ABU shirts. How does that make us as a whole look uniform--and how can we be proud of our uniform looking like that?? Shouldn't be allowed -- but more improtantly I don't think we shoudn't be ABLE! Our ABUs should freakin all be the same color and pattern!!