British Army Uniforms

Full Dress
Full dress is the official uniform worn in ceremonies, with its elaborate details and trademark dominant scarlet color. Every regiment wears the full dress only during very important occasions. Foot Guards, Household Cavalry and Army bands regularly wear it when they go out for parades and assembly. One can find Full Dress worn during state ceremonies honoring the Queen or any member of the royalty.

Service Dress
The Service Dress is worn by all units for formal events. Also known as Number 2, this uniform type comprises of shirt and tie with either skirt or trousers. Khaki jackets are also included. Head gear can range from peaked caps to slouch hats and tent hats. Some regiment uniforms are different, depending on the pattern and accessories like belts and sash. When the British Army takes on missions in countries with hot climates, officers wear the Warm Weather Service Dress, made from stone colored polyester and woolen combination of fabric.

Ceremonial Uniforms
The Temperate Ceremonial Uniform is also known as Number 1 regulation uniform. As the name implies, this type is only worn on ceremonies and is not as intricate as Full Dress. Duty officers, senior staff officers and aides to the Royal Family are required to don this uniform on a regular basis. For overseas stations, the British Army wear the appropriate type fit for the warm weather, which is composed of a white linen tunic. Everything else is the same as Number 1 uniform.

Mess Dress
Oftentimes, people hear the uniform called Mess Dress. It is so-called because it is worn during mess, or gatherings that entail food and socializing. In other words, Mess Dress is considered as a formal evening uniform for the army. The British Royal Navy uses two types of Mess Dress. Number 2A consists of mess jacket, trousers, white waistcoat, black bow tie and cap. A blue waistcoat replaces the white one in Number 2B. In general, the British Army follows that same cavalry-style with vest for a mess jacket.

Combat Dress
Worn in the field, the Combat Dress comes in either desert or temperate weather occasions. Desert combat uniforms are worn by soldiers in the Middle East and are characterized by two-tone camouflage designed to simulate the colors of sand and dirt. Temperate weather combat getups, on the other hand, have camouflage tones that are much closer to green in color. It consists of jacket, trousers and worn with helmet or beret.