That seems reasonable...But nearly
a full month's pay? That
seems awfully high, unless one buys a bespoke uniform.
Not really. There is a lot involved in such a uniform. And it is not bought "off the rack", but has to be tailored to each individual.
In 1984, the pay before taxes of a Lance Corporal (E-3) was around $650 a month.
Blues Coat: $175
Trousers (2): $45 each
White Hat : $75
White Gloves (2): $10
Accoutrements: $150
And yes, the buttons, Marine Corps Emblems (all 3), large belt buckle, those were all anodized gold. They are not even sewn onto the uniform, but "buttonholed" and attached with basically a cotter pin. You remove them each time you have the uniform cleaned, and they came in their own jewelry box style case. Most who wanted a set either bought them off of a Marine who was getting out, or from a surplus store unless they were lucky enough to have them issued. Those that really wanted one otherwise generally saved for several months before they could get them.
And to give an idea, it is about the same today. A full issue of Blues now is around $1,600. Base pay for an E-3, around $1,900 before taxes. And yea, you can reduce the cost by getting cheaper parts. Brass buttons that are sewn on instead of buttonholed for example, and brass emblems and buckles instead of the anodized ones. But I knew very few who went that route, considering the extra $200 or so spent was a good investment.
Officers and Staff NCOs (Staff Sergeant and above) were expected to have Blues, Officers above Captain and enlisted at First Sergeant and above were expected to have Mess Dress.
My son will transition from NROTC to the "regular" Navy this summer. Inasmuch as, upon their graduation from college, I gave them money to get themselves a business wardrobe, I did the same for him. When making arrangements to have his uniforms made, I asked him if having the
Navy formal wear uniforms would be of use to him. He said it probably wasn't necessary yet, but he'd let me know if that changed. He felt that, assuming he even had occasion to wear it, were he to wear such a uniform, many of his peers might think him boorish.
Well, on the events he needs to wear a uniform, he will be instructed what uniform to wear. And as a lower ranked Officer, he will likely be expected to appear in the lowest class of said uniform. I know that when I attended Marine Corps Balls at Camp Lejeune, I was one of the minority of those under Staff Sergeant that actually had my own Dress Blues. And most of us that did had done duty like I had where they had been issued. Generally Barracks, Sea or Embassy Duty.
But if he stays in, as he gains higher rank the more fancy uniforms will pretty much be required.
And on several occasions I had worn my uniform to civilian events. I attended a show once in Reno that required a jacket and tie. I did not own one at the time so wore my Dress Blues. I caught a MAC flight from North Carolina to San Diego, and had to fly in uniform. I chose the "Dress Blues D" uniform (blue trousers and short sleeve khaki shirt) simply because it looked better than the same uniform in greens.
In short, any event that requires a suit and tie is fine for wearing your uniform. However, you also want to be careful doing so, especially near a military town. I would have no problem wearing my dress uniform to say a formal civilian event in say Sacramento or Boise, but I would not do it in San Diego or El Paso. Then the odds increase that somebody would want to know what you were doing in uniform when it was not needed.
And as an Officer, he will also be required to wear his formal uniforms much more than I would have. In general, outside of inspections we are only expected to wear them maybe once a year. Generally to the annual ball that most units or bases have. But as an officer, he might well be invited to the functions of other units or military branches on his post. That may be 4-12+ times a year, depending on where he is.
For example, at Fort Bliss you had the annual Marine Corps Ball (November 10), the Army Ball (June 14), the Saint Barbara Ball (patron Saint of Artillery - 4 December), the Navy Ball (13 October), and other events that might happen. Balls for units leaving for or returning from deployment, large promotion or award ceremonies, the formals for a senior officer arriving, departing or retiring, things like that. Plus the ones held every year by the foreign units assigned there. We had units from both Germany and Japan there permanently. And the higher rank he gets, the more such events he will be expected to attend.