If a particular people or culture favoured a distinctive dress style this could easily create the impression of uniformly dressed warriors. Sometimes added to the casual wear category is physical training uniforms.Ī distinction should be made between uniforms and ethnic dress. Military uniforms differ not only according to military units but tend to also be offered in different levels of formality in accordance with Western dress codes: full dress uniform for formal wear, mess dress uniform for semi-formal wear, service dress uniform for informal wear, and combat uniform (also called 'battle/field dress') which would equal casual wear. Military uniforms in the form of standardised and distinctive dress, intended for identification and display, are typically a sign of organised military forces equipped by a central authority. Military dress and styles have gone through significant changes over the centuries, from colourful and elaborate, ornamented clothing until the 19th century, to utilitarian camouflage uniforms for field and battle purposes from World War I (1914–1918) on. Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian and Indian military personnel in uniform during a parade in Rome, ItalyĪ military uniform is a standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations.

For military protective clothing, see Armour. This article is about standardised military dress.

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