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ANZAC DAY: A SHORT HISTORY OF WHAT WE WEAR IN THE ARMY

Dress for Dignity

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24/04/2022

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On the 25th April, we commemorate Anzac Day, recognising more than 1.5 million men and women who’ve served Australia through conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations.  It’s also a day to remember more than 100,000 Australians who’ve lost their lives while serving their country.

 While the day is one of reflection and appreciation, we decided to take a sneak peek into the history of the Australian Army uniforms, and how they’ve changed and been influenced over the years.
 
 HOW IT STARTED

 According to Wikipedia (1), Australia’s military uniform was initially based on the one worn by the British Army because of our colonial links.  Since the 19th century, uniforms have moved away from brighter colours to more dull, camouflage designs, mainly for tactical purposes.

Universal service dress was introduced in Australia in 1902, after federation, which included a khaki tunic, trousers and peaked cap.  Some Queensland units wore emu plumes in their hats, which was also later adopted by members of the Light Horse. The First Australian Imperial Force adopted the broad-brimmed slouch hat, which was a wide-brimmed hat with one side turned up so that when soldiers would slope arms, the rifle wouldn’t knock their hats or damage the brim. (2)


HOW RABBITS PLAYED A PART

 The introduction of the slouch hat meant a business boom for Akubra, as they supplied the hats for Australian soldiers.  At the time, rabbits were considered a pest in Australia, and were caught to produce high quality felt, that was robust and easy to mould for hats. (3)


HOW UNIFORMS CHANGED
New, more attractive uniforms were introduced in the 1930s, in an attempt to recruit more people to the Army.  When troops were sent to New Guinea in the 1940s, uniforms were developed to provide adequate camouflage, as well as protection against mosquitos, fungus, mould and mud.


CAMOUFLAGE PRINT
The uniform stayed jungle green until the late 1980s, when the Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform was designed, for optimal use in the semi-arid bushland in Australia.  It consisted of five tones, with randomly arranged spots of different camouflaged colours.  In 2014, the fabric was changed to the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform, suitable for a wider range of terrain.


CAMOUFLAGE AS FASHION
Camouflage print became incorporated into the fashion world as early as 1943, when Vogue magazine picked up on the trend on the battlefield and incorporated it into design.  The trend took off in America in the 1980s, due to people’s pride in their country. Camouflage clothing is available in all shapes and styles now, used by many mainstream designers.  Ironically, while it was initially intended to blend in and make the wearer invisible, as a fashion statement it is bold, loud and proud. (4)

So whether you’re commemorating Anzac Day with a parade or with fashion, spare a moment to acknowledge our soldiers and the significance of the iconic uniform to our country.

 


SOURCES:

1. Uniforms of the Australian Army - Wikipedia

2. Why do Australians fold one side of their hat? What’s the hat called? Is it typically only seen in Australia? I’ve seen movies with Australians wearing hats like that. Maybe it’s not all that common in real life. - Quora

3. From paddock to pate: ‘good Australian felt’ – The People & Environment Blog (nma.gov.au)

4. Flashback: How Camouflage Clothing Became a Fashion Trend – Top Rank Vintage

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