Mess & Evening Uniforms
Blue mess, white mess, and evening dress uniforms for male and female Soldiers.
44 guides in this topic
AR 670-1: 16-1. Authorization for wear
The male blue mess/evening mess uniform is authorized for year-round wear by all male personnel. See DA Pam 670– 1 for uniforms currently classified as male blue mess/evening mess uniforms and for authorized variations of the uniform.
AR 670-1: 16-2. Composition
The male blue mess uniform consists of a coat, trousers, shirt, bow necktie, vest, cummerbund, undergarments, footwear, socks, and undershirt.
AR 670-1: 16-3. Occasions for wear
The male blue mess uniform is worn for black-tie functions and corresponds to a civilian tuxedo. The blue evening mess is the most formal Army uniform, corresponding to civilian "white tie and tails." Both are worn at official or private formal functions after retreat. Commercial travel is not authorized.
AR 670-1: 17-1. Authorization for wear
The female blue mess/evening mess uniform is authorized for year-round wear by all female personnel. See DA Pam 670–1 for uniforms currently classified as female blue mess/evening mess uniforms and for authorized variations of the uniform.
AR 670-1: 17-2. Composition
The female blue mess uniform consists of a jacket, skirt, shirt, undergarments, neck tab, cummerbund, footwear, and hosiery.
AR 670-1: 17-3. Occasions for wear
The female blue mess uniform is worn for black-tie functions and corresponds to a civilian tuxedo. The blue evening mess is the most formal Army uniform, corresponding to civilian "white tie and tails." Both are worn at official or private formal functions after retreat. Commercial travel is not authorized.
AR 670-1: 18-1. Authorization for wear
The male white mess/evening mess uniform is authorized for optional wear by all male personnel. Personnel normally wear these uniforms from April to October, except in clothing zones I and II, where they may wear them year-round (see CTA 50–900).
AR 670-1: 18-2. Composition
The male white mess uniform consists of a jacket, trousers, shirt, bow necktie, cummerbund or vest, footwear, undergarments, undershirt, and socks.
AR 670-1: 18-3. Occasions for wear
The male white mess uniform is worn for black-tie functions and corresponds to a civilian tuxedo. The male white evening mess uniform is the most formal uniform and corresponds to civilian "white tie and tails." Wear is prescribed from April to October, except year-round in clothing zones I and II.
AR 670-1: 19-1. Authorization for wear
The female white mess/evening mess uniform is authorized for wear by all female personnel. Personnel normally wear these uniforms from April to October, except in clothing zones I and II, where they may wear them year-round (see CTA 50–900).
AR 670-1: 19-2. Composition
The female white mess uniform consists of a jacket, skirt, shirt, neck tab, cummerbund, footwear, hosiery, undergarments, and undershirt. There are two jacket versions: the older version (officers only) and the newer version (all females). Officers may continue wearing the older version while serviceable.
AR 670-1: 19-3. Occasions for wear
The female white mess uniform is worn for black-tie functions and corresponds to a civilian tuxedo. The white evening mess is the most formal Army uniform, corresponding to civilian "white tie and tails." Wear is from April to October, except year-round in clothing zones I and II. Commercial travel is not authorized.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-1. Classification
The male blue mess uniforms are classified as: the male Army blue mess uniform and the male Army blue evening mess uniform.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-2. Composition
The male blue mess uniform includes the mess jacket, high-waist trousers (dark blue for generals, light blue for others), white semiformal shirt with turndown collar, black bow tie, and black cummerbund. The evening mess variation uses a formal shirt with wing collar, white vest, and white bow tie instead.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-3. Accessories
Authorized accessories: Buttons, Cape, Coat, all-weather, black, Cufflinks and studs., Cummerbund, black, and more.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-4. Materials
The male blue mess jacket is made in dark blue Army shade 150 or 450, available in wool barathea (14 oz), wool gabardine (11 or 14.5 oz), wool elastique (15 oz), wool tropical (9 oz), or polyester-wool blends. General officers wear matching dark blue trousers; all others wear light blue (shade 151 or 451). Gold trouser braid is 100-percent polyester.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-5. Insignia, accouterments, decorations, badges, unit awards, and appurtenances
Authorized insignia for the male blue mess and evening mess uniforms includes dress aiguillette (officers), branch insignia, miniature decorations and service medals, grade insignia, regimental affiliation insignia, service stripes (enlisted), and U.S. badges.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-6. General guidelines
The male blue mess uniform corresponds to a civilian tuxedo (black-tie). The evening mess uniform is the most formal Army uniform, corresponding to civilian white tie and tails. Black oxford shoes with black socks are the only authorized footwear. No headgear is authorized because these uniforms are worn only after retreat.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-7. Jacket, Army blue mess, male
The male blue mess jacket is cut along evening dress coat lines, descending to the hips with a peaked front and back. Lapel color varies: dark blue for general officers and enlisted, black for chaplains, and branch color for other officers. Officers wear gold shoulder knots. General officers have 4-inch velvet cuffs with oak leaf embroidery; other officers have trefoil braid with grade insignia.
DA PAM 670-1: 16-8. Trousers, blue mess
The blue mess trousers are high-waist, civilian dress-style without pleats, cuffs, or hip pockets. General officers wear two 1/2-inch gold braids spaced 1/2 inch apart on each leg. All other officers and enlisted wear one 1-1/2-inch gold braid. Suspenders are authorized but must not be visible.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-1. Classification
The female blue mess uniforms are classified as the female Army blue mess uniform and the female Army blue evening mess uniform.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-2. Composition
The female blue mess uniform includes the mess jacket, knee-length blue skirt, black cummerbund, formal white blouse, and black dress neck tab. The evening mess variation uses a full-length blue skirt instead. Footwear is black pumps with sheer stockings.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-3. Accessories
Authorized accessories: Buttons, Cape, Coat, all-weather, black, Cummerbund, black, Gloves., and more.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-4. Materials
The female blue mess jacket and skirt are available in dark blue Army shade 150 or 450 in wool barathea (14 oz), wool gabardine (11 or 14.5 oz), wool elastique (15 oz), wool tropical (9 oz), or polyester-wool blends (9.5 or 13.5 oz).
DA PAM 670-1: 17-5. Insignia, accouterments, decorations, badges, unit awards, and appurtenances
Authorized insignia for the female blue mess and evening mess uniforms includes dress aiguillette (officers), branch insignia, miniature decorations and service medals, grade insignia, regimental affiliation insignia, service stripes (enlisted), and U.S. badges.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-6. General guidelines
The knee-length mess skirt is worn 1 inch above to 2 inches below the knee crease; the evening mess skirt is full-length. Black pumps with sheer stockings are the only authorized footwear. No headgear is authorized because these uniforms are worn only after retreat.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-7. Jacket, Army blue mess, female
The female blue mess jacket is evening dress-style with notched collar, branch-colored lapel inserts, and six gold buttons. Officers wear shoulder knots. Sleeve ornamentation varies by grade.
DA PAM 670-1: 17-8. Skirts, blue mess and blue evening mess
The blue mess skirt is knee-length with a one-piece front, four-piece back, left-side slide fastener, and sewn-on waistband. The blue evening mess skirt is full-length with the same construction plus an overlapped center back pleat. Both are fully lined.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-1. Classification
The male white mess uniforms are classified as: the male Army white mess uniform and the male Army white evening mess uniform. Normally worn April to October, year-round in clothing zones I and II.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-2. Composition
The male white mess uniform includes the white mess jacket, black high-waist trousers, white semiformal dress shirt with turndown collar, black bow tie, and black cummerbund. The male white evening mess variation substitutes a formal shirt with wing collar, white vest, and white bow tie.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-3. Accessories
Accessories for the male white mess and evening mess uniforms include buttons, cape (officers only), black all-weather coat, cufflinks and studs (gold for mess, white for evening mess), black cummerbund, dress gloves, bow tie, black dress scarf, white shirt, black oxford shoes, black dress socks, suspenders, and umbrella.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-4. Materials
The male white mess jacket and vest are made of cotton twill (8.2 oz), polyester/wool tropical weave (9 oz), polyester/wool gabardine (10.5 oz), or polyester woven serge (6.5 oz), all in white. Trousers are commercial black tuxedo-type lightweight material.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-5. Insignia, accouterments, decorations, badges, unit awards, and appurtenances
Authorized insignia for the male white mess and evening mess uniforms includes dress aiguillette (officers), branch insignia, miniature decorations and service medals, grade insignia, regimental affiliation insignia, service stripes (enlisted), and U.S. badges.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-6. General guidelines
The male white mess uniform corresponds to a civilian tuxedo; the white evening mess is the most formal Army uniform. Black oxford shoes with black socks are the only authorized footwear. No headgear is authorized because these uniforms are worn only after retreat.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-7. Jacket, Army white mess, male
The male white mess jacket is cut along the lines of an evening dress coat, descending to the hips. Two 25-ligne buttons joined by a gold chain are worn in the upper buttonholes. Officers wear shoulder knots.
DA PAM 670-1: 18-8. Trousers, black mess
Black mess trousers are cut along civilian dress trouser lines with a high waist and without pleats, cuffs, or hip pockets. Suspenders are authorized but must not be visible. A black silk or satin braid, 3/4 to 1 inch wide, is sewn on the outside seam from waistband to trouser bottom.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-1. Classification
The female white mess uniforms are classified as: the female Army white mess uniform, the female Army all-white mess uniform, and the female Army white evening mess uniform. Personnel normally wear these from April to October, year-round in clothing zones I and II.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-2. Composition
The female white mess uniform includes the white mess jacket, black knee-length skirt, black cummerbund, and formal white blouse with black dress neck tab. The all-white mess uses a white skirt and white cummerbund. The evening mess uses a black full-length skirt. Black or white pumps with sheer stockings vary by uniform version.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-3. Accessories
Accessories for the female white mess uniforms include buttons, cape (officers only), black all-weather coat, black and white cummerbunds, dress gloves, black and white dress handbags, black dress neck tab, black dress scarf, formal white shirt, black or white pumps, sheer stockings, and umbrella.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-4. Materials
The female white jacket and skirt are made of polyester/rayon gabardine (6 or 8 oz) or polyester serge (6.5 oz), both in white. The black skirt (knee and full-length) is wool tropical (8.5 oz, shade 149) or polyester/wool plain weave (10 oz, shade 332).
DA PAM 670-1: 19-5. Insignia, accouterments, decorations, badges, unit awards, and appurtenances
Authorized insignia for the female white mess uniforms includes dress aiguillette (officers), branch insignia, miniature decorations and service medals, grade insignia, regimental affiliation insignia, service stripes (enlisted), and U.S. badges.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-6. General guidelines
The knee-length mess skirt is worn 1 inch above to 2 inches below the knee; the evening mess skirt is full-length. Black pumps for white/evening mess; white pumps for all-white mess. No headgear is authorized because these uniforms are worn only after retreat.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-7. Jacket, Army white mess, female
The female white mess jacket has two versions. The new version is cut at the natural waistline with a shawl collar, six gold 20-ligne buttons, and shoulder knots for officers. The old version (officers only) is single-breasted with shoulder loops for shoulder boards. Enlisted personnel wear gold soutache braid 3 inches above each sleeve bottom.
DA PAM 670-1: 19-8. Skirts, white mess, all-white mess, and white evening mess
The white mess skirt is a black knee-length skirt with a one-panel front, four-panel back, waistband, and left-side zipper. The all-white mess skirt is the same design in white. The evening mess skirt is a black full-length skirt with the same construction plus an overlapped center back pleat.