Sized to Fit: Female Marines Given New Gender-Friendly Uniform Sizing Options

Would most men be comfortable wearing women’s clothing to work each day? With few exceptions, probably not. But women of the United States Marine Corps. have been asked to don men’s uniforms for years, creating comfort problems and fit nightmares. But that all changed on January 24 th. Female Marines are finally being given the opportunity to be issued and buy combat uniforms and footwear that better accommodate female proportions if they are dissatisfied with the fit of the current uniform. From now on, all clothing stores will begin stocking six new cammie blouse and seven new trouser sizes that specifically accommodate most female Marines in areas where fit and function issues are most frequently found.

Female Marines who are satisfied with the fit of their cammies have nothing to fear. The female sizes are additional sizes and will not change the availability or design of current unisex sizes.

Fit and wear testing with female Marines found the new cammie sizing eliminate the common fit problems by adjusting the garments to female proportions. The new sizes removes extra material where it is not needed and adds where it is.

Sgt. Angelique Downs, Quantico , appreciates the impact that sizing adjustments have on uniform performance.

“The changes in sizes and eliminating the excess material seemed to result in more effective field, PT, and everyday work performance,” says Downs . “There was no getting ‘around’ the extra fabric in the crotch and back. The focus was on the job performance and not simply dealing with bulky excess.”

Downs is not the only Marine who welcomed improvements brought by the female cammies. Cpl. Mary Simmons, Quantico , was one of several female Marines who participated in a fit/wear test. Before trying the female cammies, Simmons found her unisex cammies were “too large for her” and sizing was very difficult. With the female cammies, she reported utilities that made her “look like a Marine and not a kid playing dress up”.

“I would definitely buy a set of female sized cammies if made available,” says Simmons. “They are great!”

Simmons is one of ninety percent of the test females who preferred the improved comfort, ease of movement, and more professional appearance afforded by the female sized cammies while providing identical uniform features. To avoid confusion between the female sized cammies and the current unisex sizes, females will need to get used to the new size designation.

To help female Marines get started with identifying the new size female item, a uniform size conversion table was developed to provide guidance. Female Marines should look at the table to see where there is an alternative female size next to the current unisex size.

The old adage of “If the shoe fits…” applies perfectly here. Female Marines must try the cammies on to determine the best fitting new size alternative and then choose their preference for the new female size garments or stay with the current size in whole or part. It is okay to mix and match garment sizes. During testing, the best fit for some females consisted of a mix of female size and current size among the two cammie garments, such as female size blouse and current unisex trouser or vice versa. The purpose of the new cammie sizes is to achieve better fit for improved comfort and ease of movement for females that is comparable to the fit males experience with the current cammies.

Female cammies aren't the only impending improvements. Female sized boots will be added in Spring 2005. Approximately 28 sizes (4-11) are being added in the Hot Weather, Infantry Combat, and Steel Toe boots.

The new sizing options are the result of a September, 2002, female uniform symposium, which called for a wear test and improved fit of critical items so that female Marines may be combat ready and fit to fight.