What are the best and worst uniforms worldwide of all times (yes it can be US)?

2015-10-09T14:10:29-04:00

What uniforms of all time anywhere look(ed) great and which are awful? Why?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 9 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-10-09T14:15:05-04:00

Army Enlisted Dress Blues with the bold gold service stripes (best) ACU's hands down worst. I'd give the old grey PT's a solid honorable mention. Cheap and lasted forever. Shorts were a lil high though.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-10-09T14:17:44-04:00

Not knocking the Greek Military, but this has to be one of the worst dress (ceremony) uniforms out there.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 9 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-10-09T14:38:46-04:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member - I think it is a draw between the Greek Evzones and Pakistani Border Guard uniforms...

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Oct 9 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-10-09T14:50:56-04:00

The ACU had to be one of the worst uniforms ever.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 9 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-10-09T15:22:38-04:00

I've always like the Royal Palace Guards uniform:

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-10-09T15:52:09-04:00

I say bring back the M1898 Tunics...simple, sharp, works for all services (well, ok...the Marines added some nice touches)

http://uniform-reference.net/insignia/usn/usn_ww1_service_chevron.html

For our wedding, my wife (a professional seamstress) wanted a "Historical" theme-the early 20th century. She also wanted me in uniform. I explained that my SDBs were only relevant to the period around 1930 on. She did some research, and after locating an original Navy version of the M189 tunic in a museum, made a correct pattern copy based on my rank and record, relevant to 1898 regulations. The result was pretty stunning to say the least.

(For the observant)-The regulations around the 1890s prescribed "service chevrons" for officers representing periods of overseas deployment. Rank was featured both on the sleeve and collar for the Navy, while the Army used collar rank with branch (CAV, Artillery, Infantry) insignia. The Navy used a silver anchor for "line" officers. She was even able to source original period mohair trim used in the originals as "New Old Stock", and used official US Navy trim braid for the sleeve ranks. I had the collar ranks re-created by a professional embroidery company.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-10-09T16:46:31-04:00

If they weren't so damn comfy, I'd have to throw my vote as one of the worst for my old dungarees (bell-bottomed blue jeans as a military uniform? C'mon...) and chambray shirt (ESPECIALLY with the iron-on rank) from the Navy. Tie the look together with a baseball cap for added professionalism, lol...

Also, though it didn't really look bad, because of the nickname, I'd have to give an honorable mention to the old "Pinks and Greens."

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 9 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-10-09T17:17:56-04:00

One of the best. The Black Watch. Something great about the man who can wear a kilt and still look like he would readily kick your ass anytime.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Oct 9 at 2015 7:01 PM

2015-10-09T19:01:26-04:00

After the USMC dress uniform, this is my favorite.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 10:45 PM

2015-10-09T22:45:39-04:00

Besides this one as worn by SFC/SPC/whatever Samuel Jackson's character is supposed to be here,
I think the British Red Coats just don't make any tactical sense. I would wear the ACU in the woods before I wore the Red Coat

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-10-09T22:53:32-04:00

This is quite the look from the Peruvian Special Forces

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 9 at 2015 11:28 PM

2015-10-09T23:28:00-04:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Best uniform? Sharpest uniform? Freshly starched, color matched, cotton fatigues. (Two creases allowed across the sleeve's elbow). Shoulder patches less than 1 US Dime from the shoulder seam. Trouser legs 'pegged' to 17" with taped dog chains inside to create a draped blouse of the trousers. Shined brass belt buckle (w/o scratches). Easily recognizable yellow chevrons. Lacquered helmet liner, no more than 2 fingers from your nose, w/ appropriate decals. 1945 era button style field jacket with the fatigue blouse's collar on the outside of the open field jacket's collar exposing the CLEAN white t-shirt. Spit shined, cordovan dyed, Corcoran jump boots. And a bad ass attitude!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 10 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-10-10T13:07:31-04:00

The purpose of a military uniform used to be #1 to Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) readily on the battlefield. #2 to protect and enhance the combat effectiveness of the warrior and #3 To intimidate the enemy.

Wearing well polished similar looking armor under identifiable banners made the most sense for all three for most of human history.

After firearms the value of armor dropped measurably, but given their inaccuracy, massed volley fire was still required so the emphasis went to IFF and intimidation.

Those priorities are still present but they have shifted, mostly because of highly accurate firearms. Now being identified rapidly leads to being dead. So the IFF function has to be more subtle, accomplished through communication, planning and sometimes subtle signaling. The Protection and enhancement of combat effectiveness tends to favor concealment 1st (camouflage) and protection from physical threats (armor) 2nd, IFF 3rd and intimidation 4th.

That said we can't judge all time. Present? USMC MARPAT, multiple concealment studies bear it out, the two pattern solution works best for all possible environments. And our history and lineage give it the intimidation factor. That's why everyone is copying it, and making its IFF value low. So we just have to be careful and creative with our communications and subtle signaling.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 14 at 2015 1:57 AM

2015-10-14T01:57:56-04:00

I'm going to answer this based on my opinion of camouflage utility uniforms only rather then bringing up service dress because let's face it, most people think of dudes in camo when they think military.

Anyway, I think hands down the best so far have been the OCPs and both MARPAT uniforms. The have both taken advantage of newer camouflage styling while at the same time incorporating colors that actually camouflage the wearers. Following close behind those to for me would be the German Flectarn (of which I am lucky enough to have a set of) and the Navy's blue digital camo. These two I like only for the looks though, not really usefulness. (Although I will say that the German Flectarn does make a good autumn camo.)

Worst uniforms, production wise I would go with the ACU and ABU. They took what were good concepts with the digital camouflage but gave them absolutely useless colors that essentially destroy the camouflage capability. Non production uniforms I would say the worst of the worst at least to my knowledge was the original ABU, the light blue non digital tiger stripe pattern. The only purpose it served was to make airmen stand out and that it would have done had it been implemented, thank God it didn't.

(On a side note in regards to the blue tiger ABU, if any RP members have some extra sets laying around I would love to get my hands on some, even if I have to pay. They may look ridiculous but I collect the various patterns and can't find them anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.)

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Oct 15 at 2015 3:47 AM

2015-10-15T03:47:55-04:00

Aesthetically and tactically the best.

Response by SPC John Chambers made Jul 28 at 2017 1:39 PM

2017-07-28T13:39:32-04:00

When your commanding General forgets what "Inconspicuous" means.

Response by LT Marc Blaydoe made Jul 29 at 2017 9:49 AM

2017-07-29T09:49:17-04:00

Navy blueberries are just plain ridiculous.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2017 2:34 PM

2017-07-29T14:34:19-04:00

I've always had an affinity for German uniforms prior to 1957, especially the old Prussian dress uniforms.
English dress uniforms, especially from the 18th and 19th centuries.
American dress from War Between the States era to Second World War

Awful uniforms? Anything with camo you're supposed to wear to work. ACU's and OCP's are fine for combat, but why can't we wear proper uniforms when we're stateside?
Any Russian uniforms, except Imperial dress.
WWI French field uniforms. Blue coats and red trousers...

Response by SSG Jim Foreman made Jul 30 at 2017 5:12 AM

2017-07-30T05:12:37-04:00

This uniform made me feel like I was working at Staples....should I be asking what model number your printer was so I could pick the refill.

Response by CW2 Fred Baker made Jul 30 at 2017 12:42 PM

2017-07-30T12:42:52-04:00

Best and worst were the two piece Nomex flight suit we wore in Vietnam. It was the best protection available at the time. It was without a doubt the ugliest and screamed a lack of military bearing regardless of who wore it.

Response by CAPT Phillip B. made Aug 3 at 2017 4:01 PM

2017-08-03T16:01:19-04:00

Blammies. The worst idea ever for a utility uniform. I only wear them when ordered. All the jokes about only being good at hiding you the one time you want to be found (when you fall overboard) are 100% on-point. I cannot wait till we fully transition to Navy Type 3 camo.

Response by PO2 Bill Kuiper made Aug 20 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-08-20T16:22:01-04:00

I really liked my chambray shirt, dungarees, boonies and Dixie cup.

Response by SPC John Decker made Aug 21 at 2019 8:48 AM

2019-08-21T08:48:43-04:00

My basic training cycle, at Fort Dix, was the las to be issued O.D. Green fatigues and class b Khaki's. If they fit, they were both the best uniform, for their purpose, I ever wore.