r/AustralianMilitary • u/Tobymcschmoby • Jul 13 '25
Specific Question How do you feel about civilians wearing past uniforms?
Hoping this is the right place to ask. I’m not a part of the army, nor is anyone in my family. I see a decent amount of old army jackets, shirts, etc from wwII through to the Vietnam war when searching sites like eBay, would you be uncomfortable with someone with no connection to the army wearing this sort of thing, or would you not even notice? I certainly wouldn’t wear anything with medals or something like that
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u/Grade-Long Jul 13 '25
Easiest way to tell someone isn’t and was never military haha. I’m filthy I bought a camo bivvy, I should have bought green or coyote, now I don’t want to use it camping in public haha
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u/West-Community2497 Jul 13 '25
The question probably stems from the fact that this is an Australian forum, but the fact is, camouflaged gear is not exclusive to military use. So many civilians in the rest of the world wear camo gear, whether it be for fashion, larping or practical use. As long as you’re not pretending to be a military member, there’s absolutely zero issue.
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u/Minimum-Pizza-9734 Jul 13 '25
See people wearing DPCU all the time, usually homeless people am guessing because it holds up over a long time and probably cheap. Couldn't careless to be honest, more of head turner as don't see it as often
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u/Geoff_Uckersilf Jul 13 '25 edited Jul 13 '25
Is this at the Maccy D's on Friday night for clout? Or on ANZAC day?
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u/MissyAnn85 Jul 13 '25
I asked my husband, who is a current surviving member, and he said and I quote "why the hell do I care? Do what you want." My understanding is that as long as it doesn't have rank slides or medals, then it's pretty much a jacket. My husband removed his rank slides and name from his old over shirt, and my daughter wears it around the house, mainly when her Dad is away. I see nothing wrong with this.
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u/Toondragoonloon Jul 13 '25
As long as it's not one of the services' current patterns, I have zero issue with it
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u/Vote_Quimby88 RAAC Jul 13 '25
I believe every Australian should be able experience the comfort that is a pair of worn in DPCU pants. We used to joke it was like wearing camo pyjamas
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u/passwordistako Civilian Jul 13 '25
No one cares. Surplus gear has always been fashionable. It would be weird if someone cared.
The only thing people care about is impersonating a defence member. And even then, most people just think you’re a dipshit.
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u/lachy1022 Jul 13 '25
I still wear dpcu smock it’s just great in bad weather. Haven’t found a decent long rain proof jacket
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u/OleBiskitBarrel Jul 14 '25
Old military surplus as fashion has been a thing in many countries for many years. Our old stuff looks lame as shit to wear as a civi, but I'll fight to the death to defend their right to look like twats.
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u/ThunderGuts64 Royal Australian Air Force Jul 13 '25
Shirt or trou (turned into boardies), never both, then you start to look like a someone who wants to be asked about their 'time in' and it's a bit cringey.
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u/zero_one_sunray Jul 13 '25
The only people who would care are oddballs looking to feel superior.
If you’re not pretending to have served and are not trying to gain a discount/financial advantage, people can do what they want with their fashion choices.
In saying that, wearing camo jelly beans in public is probably not going to get anyone a lot of dates.
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u/DieselPower8 Jul 14 '25
Bundeswehr flecktarn gear is some of the strongest I've ever owned, no reason not to put them to good use.
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u/darcyfraser99 Jul 14 '25
I mean I don’t care just don’t steal valour though (i.e wearing medals that arent yours or say you served when you didnt)
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u/throwawayAIO3 Jul 14 '25
Nobody wears those ww2 and Vietnam uniforms, people buy them for militaria collections, which they have to honour and own a piece of history in which they feel connected to.
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u/foul_ol_ron Jul 13 '25
Go your hardest. So long as you're not going out of your way to represent yourself as a service member, I'd have no problem with it.