Female Marines no longer have to wear pantyhose when wearing their service or dress uniforms, according to a Monday update to the service’s uniform regulations.
“Effective immediately, the wear of hosiery with skirts is optional,” the order read. “When wearing hosiery, however, skin tone harmonizing nylon will be worn.”
Previously, Marines were required to wear full-length, nylon pantyhose in either skin or smoky-toned hues, depending on whether they were wearing their service or dress blues skirt.
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For Marines who now choose to forgo wearing pantyhose, they must don either no-show socks or shoe liners, “for hygienic purposes and to avoid abrasions or blisters caused by direct contact and rubbing between the foot and shoe.”
The change also removes the option for Marines to wear any gray or smoky-toned pantyhose, with black-toned tights only allowed when wearing trousers.
The update further noted that “when slacks are worn as part of the evening dress, blue dress, or service uniforms, either black oxfords or black dress flats will be worn at the individual’s option, except that oxfords will be prescribed for drill, parades, and other occasions which require functional uniformity.”
Pregnant Marines are allowed to choose between oxfords, flats or pumps, even while wearing the skirt.
The Marine Corps and the Army were the last two branches…
