I know some people have mixed feelings about this. But for you other military folks, what are your thoughts about wearing dress blues to a civilian/non-military wedding? I have had one guy specifically say he thought I should wear mine to his (I didn't even ask him about it) so I am going to. However, to other weddings I'm invited to that I'm not a groomsman or usher I would rather wear my dress blues instead of buying a suit since I don't have one.


Thoughts?

[This message has been edited by WestTexAg12 (edited 6/3/2013 10:14a).]

Just my $0.02, but I don't personally wear them to primarily civilian events. Protocol says that you only wear them in a wedding party if all the attendants are in uniform with the best man being the exception. I've seen it a few times and felt like the person was just trying to call attention to themselves. If your buddy requested it, then there is no reason not to.

In hindsight, I wish I had worn them to my grandmothers funeral. She would have appreciated it, but I didn't think of it till it was too late.

FTAC of 2000
Formerly AgDDS2B.

You'll need suits later on in life, I'd go ahead and buy one. Personally, I would feel weird being the only dude there with a uniform on.

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Personally, I would feel weird being the only dude there with a uniform on.

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That "weird" feeling is actually all the single bride's maids feeling up the only guy in dress blues.

Be proud of your service. Wear the dress blues. The only time I did not resent having to wear a tie was when I was in my greens or blues.

^
That is nice. (Aggies Revenge) I was in a sword arch just recently for a Marine getting married. The single girls definitely wanted the other single Marines.

The way I see it, I would like to wear my nicest attire to my friend and cousin's weddings. My dress blues are nicer than anything I own. Also, for my cousin's wedding, I am sure my family, especially my grandparents, would like to see me in my blues since they haven't seen me in a couple years.

Now, for just showing up to a wedding invited and without asking the groom or being requested by the groom to wear my blues, I would probably just wear my nice Cinch shirt with slacks and boots.

DevilD, I agree with you 100% unless I am specifically asked not to wear them.



[This message has been edited by WestTexAg12 (edited 6/3/2013 4:10p).]

Silent professional. If it's not a military event, wear civilian clothes.

Every man needs a suit, this sounds like a great opportunity to buy one.

I always openly mock people who wear their uniforms to civilian events. It says more about you than you know.

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You'll need suits later on in life, I'd go ahead and buy one. Personally, I would feel weird being the only dude there with a uniform on.

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This

Openly mock? Sounds like a great way to either a) end up with your foot in your mouth, or b) be known as an *******.

Uniforms at weddings aren't a big deal and if someone wants to, go for it. If you disagree, then don't wear it. Don't be an ******* and call it professionalism.

Taking pride in your profession and wearing a uniform are not mutually exclusive.

That said, silent professional has nothing to do with wearing a uniform either.

Like someone said, do what you want. If you are an attention *****, it will show anyway...uniform or not.

As someone who thinks uniforms outside of duty is tacky as hell, I'd wear it if asked to. I've only ever wore Class A's to a good friend's funeral because he was a big reason why I enlisted and he always talked my service up to people (very proud of me).

If it was requested, wear it. If not, you will be noticed in blues and it isn't "your day;" this is sometimes perceived as tacky. So, I concur with buying a suit. Buy a navy suit; it won't be money wasted. I think I went to about 10 wedding in my first five years out of TAMU and only wore my uniform a couple times.

And to clarify, by "weird" I didn't mean to come off as that guy who's too cool to wear a uniform to certain events. I agree totally with 3rdGenAg05 in recommending that since its not your day, go with the civilian look. If someone asks you to then I'd say go right ahead. TangoMike hit it on the head with the quiet professional outlook too.

[This message has been edited by REJ_III (edited 6/4/2013 9:48a).]

I know this is an Officer heavy forum so the responses show that mentality and experience. However, why would anyone openly mock someone wearing a dress uniform to a wedding? How exactly is joe snuffy private supposed to afford a nice suit? Not to mention, in a tiny barracks closet I wouldn't recommend taking up room with something you would wear so rarely. I would agree a suit is preferable to a civilian wedding so as not to draw attention to yourself. However, that isn't feasible for all service members. So maybe you shouldn't judge them all the same and assume they are just being attention *****s. Just my 2 cents.

And from the outsider's point of view:

We friends and family of military types are probably more impressed by the uniform than you guys are. I would be proud to see my kid in uniform at a social function, while to you it might not be a big deal. If someone showed up to a wedding in uniform, I would not think they were being attention ho's.

I wear my blues whenever I get the chance. I earned that goddam uniform, it looks good, and I'm proud of it. I'd wear it to mow the lawn if I didnt think it would get messed up.

That said, weddings are a little different because you dont want to upstage anyone. If you want to wear it, make sure the bride is cool with it. If your buddy ASKED you to wear it? Hell yes. Enjoy the free booze and bridesmaids.

Anyone that would openly mock someone for wearing the uniform of the United States is ********.

[This message has been edited by Mameluke (edited 6/4/2013 12:46p).]

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I always openly mock people who wear their uniforms to civilian events. It says more about you than you know.

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ironically, this statement says more about YOU than YOU know.

I don't mean mock like, "Hey, stupid, don't be a dewsh." I mean, "Hey, champ, you look sharp, did you just come from formation?"

One of the significant issues in the American military is the growing chasm between the population and the military. America's military was designed for citizen soldiers (much like we were designed for citizen legislators). We've moved rapidly over the last 50 years to insulate ourselves from the population, developing a caste system that has shown to be extremely dangerous to many, many civilizations throughout history.

In my opinion, wearing a uniform to a civilian event only serves to widen that chasm. The uniform was never meant for personal adornment or gain. It is a service uniform. Would you find it odd if a policeman or fireman came in their uniform? There really is no reason to wear a uniform to a civilian event except for personal gain or to establish a barrier between the military and the population we are designed to serve.

I'm not really interested in Joe being able to afford a suit. Joe is very well compensated, and if he doesn't have a suit he can buy a pair of slacks and a dress shirt from Walmart for about $40 - not that all suits are $1500 Ralph Lauren Purple Label. Joe was not issued his uniform to replace his civilian wardrobe, he was issued his uniform to conform to unity when at military functions.

you seem awesome.

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it looks good

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Bet it does.

wtf is that thing

Fantastic!

yes...fantastic.

[This message has been edited by WestTexAg12 (edited 6/4/2013 3:33p).]

[This message has been edited by WestTexAg12 (edited 6/4/2013 4:05p).]

You have some issues to work through man

Also - you really shouldnt post things on a website that would get you arrested.

I may also shy away from paraphrasing the movie "Taken" - it really was a terrible film.

Shouldn't take things so seriously, I deleted it anyway

but yes, it wasn't the best of films

I take it you're an army guy who is jealous the Marines look better? lol

You guys do have some snazzy uniforms, Ill give you that.

Yep - Army. Worked with 1-5 Marines though in Iraq. Good dudes. Good uniforms.

Wtf did I miss

Yeah, always thought it was rather tacky myself, ESPECIALLY if said person is out of service. Like the dudes been out for a few years and gets hitched in his blues. The day I EAS'ed I gave my blues and all accessories to one of my boots who was supporting his mother and nearly all of his paycheck went to her.

Glad I got rid of it personally. I know I earned it and whatnot but I don't need it. Actually the opposite. I didn't want it at all. Whenever I see a dude wearing his uniform after end of service, my first though is always," OK man, It's time to let it go. You are done with your service and time to rejoin the rest of us." That's just me though.

You can get a pretty good looking suit from some place like Joseph A Bank for not a lot of money. I got an ok one when I was still in school for $100 from JC Penny. Now it probably won't last more than 2-3 dry cleanings, but it was a good bridge for the next year until I needed a good one for interviews.

I'd say in a civilian setting, wear civilian clothes unless asked to wear your uniform, you're being recognized for your service, or there will be multiple folks in uniform. In your case, I'd find a way to ask your friend if he's ok with you getting more attention than him, in a less blunt way.

I got married in service dress blues. In the wedding invitation I said service dress uniform optional. Needless to say nobody wore uniform to the wedding.

I will never wear a service dress uniform to a wedding unless asked to do so. I would much rather wear a nice suit, where I call less attention to myself.

well, we Marines arent really into the whole "not drawing attention to ourselves" thing

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well, we Marines arent really into the whole "not drawing attention to ourselves" thing

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I know.