Cardigan, Merona. Skirt, from my USMC service uniform (embellished). Belt, Luxury Divas. Pumps, Pulse. Earrings, Claire’s. Cuff, Hot Topic. Ring, G&S. Sunnies, Girl Props.
Feather and metal earrings from Claire’s.
Today, I recently received a comment on another entry in which I wore this military uniform skirt as civilian attire. The comment: “Total disrespect to the uniform.”
What do you think? My military obligation is complete, so I won’t have another “official” opportunity to wear any of my uniform items. Should I let them molder in the attic or donate them to charity instead of repurposing them for civilian wear?
46 comments:
If you're not making fun of the uniform (which you aren't) and it's not really recognizable as the uniform (which it isn't), then I don't see a problem. Actually I thought it was pretty ingenious and it never occurred to me that it was disrespectful.
I just don't see how giving the skirt a useful life is in any way disrespectful. It's a *skirt*. People wear their old army jackets all the damn time and cover them with patches- how is that ok but not this? It's not even recognizable as military garb on it's own anyway.
If you hadn't mentioned this skirt was a part of a uniform, I would never have known it. Waste not, want not!
Oh, and this is one of my favorite of your outfits recently! The dark purple and green are fabulous together, and I love how the shoes and lipstick give a pop of color.
If there can be military-inspired clothing out there, then why not use actual military clothing if you've got it and you aren't using it anymore?
I like the skirt, but would it be possible to give your other uniform elements (pants, jackets, etc.) back to the military? Maybe some other new Marine could use it instead of paying lots for a new one?
For some reason I'm still amazed when anonymous commenters feel the need to post something lame such as this. I agree with the other readers - no one would ever know the skirt was once part of a uniform and even if they did instead of going on about it being a disgrace should say thanks to you for your service! You look great, doll!
I think your service should be the most important thing people should make note of...not how you switched up an old military skirt [that btw I never would have even guessed it was that had you not mentioned it]. Kudos to you for being honarable, fashionable, and very creative.
I think the votes will vindicate you - keep on doing what you're doing.
It's not disrespectful at all to repurpose old clothing, even a uniform.
ahhh!!! i love the sunnies and those awesome shoes. :) and i think letting the skirt molder in your attic would actually be more disrespectful than wearing as a civilian.
How silly. My husband and brother in law both did tours in the middle east recently, and they both have ACU (the grey digital camo) uniform pants that they hacked off into shorts. No one (including their chain of command) cares. They wear them everywhere (obviously, not when they're IN uniform. Off duty, I mean). They wear their uniform undershirts when they aren't on duty. My discharged cousin still wears his combat boots. How is what you're doing any different?
Kelly - selling/donating old uniform items to new military members is pretty common around bases. I definitely would have done that if I had still lived near a military population.
If you gave it to charity then who's to say, some fashion savey girl won't do the same thing.
I think it's ingenious!
the only thing i can think of is that in the other post, you dont mention that it is from YOUR OWN old uniform. either way, i agree with a previous poster who said that to let it hang around in a musty old attic would be what disgraces the uniform. you did your time in the service and earned your uniform. it is yours to do with as you so determine.
maybe she just couldnt believe someone so amazingly fashionable came out of our military. ;)
*cough* I said this on the older one, but I may as well say it again, it is actually illegal to wear uniform pieces properly outside the service. It respects the rules to wear it differently.
Thus says a former navy wife who is eying her husbands coveralls in a most indecorous way.
I think it's terribly clever of you to re-purpose that skirt. It looks wonderful.
I just recently found your blog. The time, effort and heart you put into it is amazing. I am so inspired by your eye for fashion. It's made me more adventurous in putting together my outfits, which is something I've always wanted to be.
Thank you!
that person was mean. you totally can not tell lit is a military uniform skirt. like another person said if you donated them to charity then someone else who would do the same or destroy it to make a Halloween costume. Plus my hubby is in the military and we the amount of uniform i HAVE to store or have been retired for new styles I totally wish we could find something to do with them.
Keep doin your thing woman and poopoo on the naysayers
First - Thank you for your service to our country! As a woman's whose husband was in Iraq for 6 months last year, I respect you deeply.
Second - I love it! Your skirt is beautiful and the combination of the outfit is amazing. Clothing is clothing and you should re-purpose when possible. Isn't that what we all love about sharing with each other in blogs and in real life.
no one would even know its a uniform so its no disrespect to anyone. Also its the person not the clothes you respect.
Thank you for your service in protecting our country and I say wear away!
When I consider that any one can buy old military uniforms at Goodwill or any second hand shop and do what ever they want to them, I think what you have done is fabulous. You are not abusing the military or and person so I think it is fine. No, better then fine, great!
Work 'em girl! There's no reason not to give it another life. Sure, it had its purpose in the military, but that's over now. A very GREEN thing to do!
I think you should toss the comment and keep the skirt!
You were honest saying it was an altered uniform and
there are no flags or military insignia on it... it´s just a green skirt :)
Seriously, some people just need to let things roll. You are not being disrespectful to the uniform in the least. I say keep on going with it and thanks for your service.
Hey, some people just take themselves too seriously. Besides, military-ish things are so in style right now. It's not the uniform that's special, but the service the military personnel give to their country. If it were really a problem, people should boycott military looking styles, too, which is just silly.
Love the skirt! I love the idea! Forget those people. I 100% agree with previous posters who said it would be disrespectful to let it rot. I also did not recognize it as a USMC skirt and I was actually loving the whole thing! Love the outfit!
I love your outfit, especially the sunnies.
You aren't abusing it, mocking it, or using it in an illegal or fraudulent way. There is no disrespect, especially when it looks good!
I think the outfit is fabulous and that the idea of repurposing your skirt is ridiculous. It would be far more disrespectful to lock it away in the attic.
oops...I meant to say that the idea of it being disrespectful was ridiculous, not the fact that you repurposed it.
Whatev, you're doing honor to it by giving it new life & loving it & showing it off. It's a piece of cloth, fer cryin' out loud. The honor lies in the person who wore it. Whoever said that to you should've apologized & given YOU respect for serving the country. Sheesh. What a buffoon.
Also, the skirt is gorgeous. ::super props::
Personally, I think that you are showing respect by showing that the military is still a part of your life, if not as obviously.
I work at the VA, and I'll say 75% of the vets who live there walking around on campus wear re-purposed uniform gear. It's a source of pride for them, plus...why the heck not? I dare say the previous rude commenter would not have said what s/he did if you weren't a chic gal sporting it with pumps and dangly earrings. Props to you for thinking creatively and for showing everyone that the USMC isn't just for dudes anymore! :)
Love the skirt!
And I tried on that cardigan at Target, and totally couldn't pull it off. Gorgeous on you!
You know I think that some people are just so happy being miserable that they can't help but spread it around. Screw em, you paid you duty to your country and to that I say thank you! It's okay to wear your skirt as a badge of honor of sorts.
I love this skirt! Please keep it, you are being in no way disrespectful!
My husband is an active duty Marine officer and I think this is adorable and not disrespectful. (I totally intend to turn a flight suit into a mini dress for our next flight suit/cami party). I think the only thing anyone should say to anyone who has served is "thank you." Your service gives that person the right to say whatever they want and it's unfortunate that are too ignorant to realize that.
I think making the uniforms look nice and wearing them does great respect to them. If you were tearing them apart and burning them that would be different. I think it shows that you want to keep a part of your time with you in your new life. I also think that if you donated them, you wouldn't know that they were going to a home that would respect and cherish them at all. BEAUTIFY them then!
I love this colour combination and the purple is truly magnificent with your hairstyle. I don't think there is any disrespect in what you are doing. In my opinion it would be more disrespectful to shove the uniform to the back of the closet or throw it away.
I don't think it's disrespectful, but it may be something you regret. I wouldn't take my wedding dress out of storage and dye it navy blue to get more wear out of it. You or future generations may want to look back at your uniform some years hence and remember exactly how it was worn.
I just wanted to take the time to say that I agree with most of the posters here that the skirt looks great on you! I especially like the lace that you added to it. It makes the skirt look classy and sexy at the same time.
Also if you had not mentioned that it was a former military skirt, I would have never have known it had been a military skirt.
Lastly, as for wearing old military uniforms, years ago my dad gave me his old Army camos and I wore the top sometime in high school as a light jacket and no one every said anything to me. I agree that as long as a person is not purposely disrespecting a military uniform, like burning it or such, I do not see a problem with reusing it. I also agree that what you have done with the skirt by adding the lace at the bottom totally changes the skirt and therefore, it is actually now no longer a military issue item.
Don't let the negative comments get you down. As the saying goes "You go girl!" :-)
I think it's beautiful. If you survived the Marine Corps, I'm pretty sure you have the right to do whatever the hell you want with your uniform!
<3
It boggles me when anonymous commenters post things like that. Very much a coward. Harmie, I agree with your original comments -- very well put. I adore this outfit. ESPECIALLY the shades. Groovy!
I think it would be wasteful to let it sit in the attic. Some people just like to complain about anything and everything. BTW, I love this outfit, especially the belt!
I agree with everyone else that you aren't being disrespectful at all! After all, it was your own uniform, and you aren't wearing it to masquerade as someone currently serving. Also, you look great in it! And I love your shoes :)
I am surprised that you were in the Marine Corps....you have a really "diverse" multi-faceted personality.
I guess the critical commenter wants you to ONLY wear the uniform to march in veteran's parades.
as an army wife i cannot tell you HOW MANY other wives make PURSES and the like out of old uniforms...and no one cares..in fact the SELL WELL! so rock it on! no one could tell anyhow and...
STANDING OVATION and THANKS for your having served our country!
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