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<\/a>We\u2019re looking at the \u201cnew\u201d Dress Blouse Black uniform, found in your Marine Force Manual 2015 on page 43 (Section 7.2.1.4).\u00a0 We\u2019ll be using the updated guidelines for this uniform, as described in the \u201cUniform Wear Guidelines CH 1 201810.15\u201d PDF, distributed by COFORCECOM to the Brigade OICs and published on the SFMC Facebook Group, under \u201cFiles,\u201d by the \u2018DANT.\u00a0 These guidelines have been incorporated into the new Brigade Uniform Guidebook, which will soon be available for download from the Third Brigade website (at 3bde.org) under the \u201cDocs<\/a>\u201d tab.<\/p>\nWhen you look at this uniform, you will find that many of the pieces of it are used in other uniforms: the black trousers with bloodstripe, the footwear, the belt; common accessories also include the shoulder cord, combadge, and items purchased from the SFMC Quartermaster like rank insignia, collar brass, and various other pins.\u00a0 The ribbon rack worn with this uniform is the same one that you\u2019d wear with most of the other Class A uniforms, too.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s look at some of these common uniform items.\u00a0 Black trousers are fairly easy to get.\u00a0 The MFM says they are \u201clow waist, straight legged, without cuffs, and with side hip pockets.\u201d (The Uniform Wear Guidelines agrees.)\u00a0 They both then say that a \u201c1-inch wide red blood stripe will be worn on the outside seam of both trouser legs, running from the seam of the waistband to the bottom hem of the trouser leg.\u201d\u00a0 So, how do you get that to happen?<\/p>\n
When I joined the SFMC back in 2009, I bought a pair of black Dickey\u2019s trousers, and some 7\/8-inch grosgrain ribbon and took both of them to a dry cleaner\u2019s\/tailor\u2019s shop.\u00a0 For about $35, they sewed the stripes on for me.\u00a0 (No one has noticed the 1\/8-inch difference, or said anything if they did\u2026 I couldn\u2019t find 1-inch ribbon.)\u00a0 If you are handy at sewing \u2013 or know someone, or some business that is — this is a great option.<\/p>\n
Sportsman\u2019s Guide (sportsmansguide.com<\/a>) had some Italian police uniform trousers last year, that were black wool with a red stripe.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t have them the last time I looked, but you never know.\u00a0 There are other places online that sell military and police surplus from around the world.<\/p>\n Regardless, a pair of black, low-waisted, straight-legged trousers without cuffs are fairly inexpensive (I bought a pair at Wal-Mart recently for about $22) and ribbon is pretty cheap.\u00a0 Finding a tailor is as easy as opening up your local Yellow Pages or your favorite internet search engine, and it cost me about $35 or so a few years ago \u2013 I doubt it\u2019s gone up much \u2013 to have him sew on the \u2018bloodstripe.\u2019<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/3bde.org\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/pants-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>If you\u2019re one of the less stout Marines, I found a place that sells tuxedo pants with the red stripe, starting at $29.95.\u00a0 Visit https:\/\/www.solidcolorpants.com\/mens-tuxedo-pants-flat-front-with-red-satin-band-black-concitor\/?gclid=CjwKCAiAlvnfBRA1EiwAVOEgfKZlnEO4usz7i-ikEAdZM0wJjtyqwchT6DVvJ_ZjNXOsC2RH-NB3vhoC380QAvD_BwE<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>If you don\u2019t have a pair already, now would also be a good time to invest in a pair of black dress shoes, without any ornamentation.<\/p>\n