THE NAVY ANNOUNCES A NEW LONG-SLEEVED FEMALE SAILOR UNIFORM

The Navy has announced that female Sailors can purchase a new optional long-sleeved service dress white overblouse for wear with their service dress blue uniform.

The Navy officially authorized this rollout on September 18, 2024, via NAVADMIN 194/24, as part of the Size Modernization Program (SMP)—a 5-year initiative to upgrade female Sailors' uniforms. The new uniform item is currently available for purchase both in person and online.

The New Navy Uniform Is Ready for Purchase

The new optional long-sleeved service dress white overblouse is now available for purchase. This option is a part of the Navy’s uniform lineup, and you can wear it underneath the service dress blue uniform coat. The long-sleeved service dress white overblouse is made from a cotton-polyester fabric blend with a partial stand collar.

Currently, it is available to purchase at selected uniform stores, such as the Navy Exchange (NEX). It is available on NEX Norfolk, NEX Arlington, Virginia, and NEX San Diego Uniform stores. If you are stationed elsewhere, the uniform will be available around the world in other NEX Uniform stores in summer 2026, according to a Navy Exchange Service Command release.

Alternatively, you can purchase the new uniform online at My Navy Exchange. For sizing, use the modernized sizing and fit charts available in NEX Uniform stores and on My Navy Exchange.

Additionally, the Navy Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) announced improvements to the summer white overblouse, dress overblouse, service slacks with back pockets, and service skirts, providing greater comfort for our female Sailors.

What Is the Size Modernization Program?

The first uniform update was originally planned as part of the Size Modernization Program. For those who may not be aware, the program is a 5-year initiative to upgrade female Sailors' uniforms. The program aimed to ensure proper sizing and fit for all female uniforms.

“The goal of the modernization of sizing and fit is twofold,” said Dr. Brianna Plummer, Group Leader at Navy Exchange Service Command’s Navy Clothing & Textile Research Facility (NCTRF).

“First, we want to accurately reflect the body types and sizes of today’s U.S. Navy Sailors. We want consistent and clear sizing across all uniform items, so Sailors know what to expect and get the right fit with fewer alterations.”

The NCTRF has worked with the fleet for over 11 years to ensure that the fleet better reflects the modernized sizes and fit types for today’s female Sailors' bodies.

In the past, uniform patterns were developed based on actual body types from the 1980s, and the methods used to create patterns and fit were outdated. As a result, sizing and fit types for both female and male Sailors were not modernized.

But now, with more available and evolving resources, the tools used today provide greater accuracy in measuring a female Sailor’s height, circumference ratios, and body proportions.

The Previous Navy Uniform for Women

Before the update, female Sailors did not have an official long-sleeved service dress white overblouse available for purchase. Now that there are more options for female Sailors, it’s worth briefly revisiting the evolution of the previous military uniform for women.

Uniforms are mandatory, but not everyone feels they fit well, especially women.

If female Sailors wanted more coverage for cooler weather, they had to wear other uniform pieces or just make do with whatever was available at the time.

And now with the SMP, female Sailors have more options than before.

What’s Next for the Female Sailors?

The new female Sailor uniform update is just one step in the program, and there are likely more updates as they plan to modernize the sizing system for male Sailors, which is expected in the next few years.

“Improving uniform fit to enhance performance is important for the future of Navy readiness,” said Plummer.

“By modernizing sizing and fit, we can accomplish just that – deliver better-fitting, consistently sized professional uniforms for our Navy warfighters.”

Thanks to the SMP, this update provides female Sailors with the flexibility and comfort needed for formal dress situations, especially when they have personal preferences.

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