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| Every lady loves a man in an uniform or An uniform maketh the man |
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| Some would say that it is the power of the recruiting poster that draws people into a military life. Others might say that it is the sense of the exotic or adventure and glamour that goes with the job. Or maybe it is based on a sense of patriotic pride or comradeship, whilst for others it could be based on being shamed into submission, to sign on the dotted line to receive The King's Shilling. You know the old story, protect the young and the women from the heathen hordes as we are informed that they will harm us - that old standby of rape, burn and pillage. As for me I would say "boulderdash" as in my opinion it is more about " A lady loves a man in an uniform" In all proability, who cares what I think! |
| An attempt has been made ... to establish the fundamental principles governing the evolution of all costume. These would seem to be - |
| WHY UNIFORMS |
The Seduction Principle The first attempts to make the wearer of clothes as attractive as possible to the opposite sex. It widens the military man's shoulders, narrows the hips, puffs out his chest, lengthens his leg and increases his apparent height. Many a man who took the King's shilling did so in the firm conviction that there was nothing like a smart uniform to attract the girls; nor was he often mistaken. The heightening of masculine characteristics might also be considered of value, at least in the early days, in intimidating the enemy, but such considerations have long gone. The Hierachical Principle This is the way that establishes social position. It is the general principle that governs male dress. In military uniforms it shrinks into rigid rituals of rank. The men wear coarse uniform cloth whilst the officers have a version cut out of finer cloth. And not forgetting all of the gold and silver braid that adorns it all. The Utility Principle Military dress that is worn in an everday sense, or in an active pursuit, that is easier to wear. Or in simple terms, full dress replaced by fatigue dress. Peace brings about the reintroduction of colour and splendor, almost to the exagerated, whilst war brings about the practicable utilitarian approach of the subdued. Nowhere is this more evidenced that in the tribal items used in NO 1's which are in full colour as opposed to the subdued black on green work uniforms. |
The Seduction Principle The Hierarchical Principle The Utility Principle |
| .. a means of identifying friend from foe .. |
| Information etc. from British Military Uniforms by James Laver Penguin Books Limited 1948 Middlesex, England pages 23 and 24 |
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| The Seduction |
| The Hierarchical |
| The Utility |
| Above three illustrations from: The New Zealand Colonial Wars byTim Ryan Bill Parkam Illustrations by Bryan Conroy Grantham House Wellington 2002 |