The uniforms of the Australian Army have changed significantly over the past century, although the accoutrements worn over this period have remained relatively similar.
Since then it has continued to be influenced by British but also US styles, as well as including some distinctly Australian designs, reflecting local conditions and trends.
[2] Military uniforms have undergone gradual, yet almost constant, change since the 19th century, moving away from bright colours to more drab camouflage designs.
[4] Yet despite changes, even in the early 21st century the uniforms and accoutrements worn remain similar to those adopted or modified from those of the British Army.
Members of the New South Wales Contingent sent to Sudan in 1885 initially wore red for infantry and blue for artillery, along with white sun helmet and equipment; however, on arrival their uniforms were replaced by khaki.
[3] Forces of the Australian colonies deployed to South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War wore khaki uniforms—issued due to the increased range and accuracy of small arms—instead of their more colourful regimental dress.
[7] The rising sun badge was first worn at this time by battalions of the Australian Commonwealth Horse on active service in South Africa, while some Queensland units wore emu plumes in their hats.
[3] During this period it remained common to follow the British system, with the uniform subsequently adopted by the Commonwealth consisting of a General Service Dress which, in order to achieve financial savings, could be converted into Full Dress for ceremonial occasions simply by the addition of a number of lace accoutrements, including aiguillettes, as well as breast-lines and girdles.
[3] The introduction of universal service in 1912 resulted in the adoption of a number of changes due to the need to economise following the rapid expansion of the Army.
The uniform provide for at this time was relatively simple, consisting of a hat, heavy woollen khaki shirt, cord breeches and boots.
[10] Peak caps were initially also worn by the infantry,[11] while light horsemen often wore a distinctive emu plume in their slouch hats.
[14] A loose-fitting four-pocket service dress jacket was worn, along with baggy knee breeches, puttees, and tan ankle-boots.
[10] Uniforms worn by the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) were similar to those of the rest of the AIF, although some officers wore a double-breasted "maternity jacket".
[7] The woollen service dress of the previous war was re-issued, although trousers replaced breeches and cloth anklets were adopted instead of puttees.
Some minor changes to the appearance of the service dress jack occurred mid-war, while cloth anklets were also later by webbing gaiters.
[10] Meanwhile, during the course of the war uniform colour was changed to jungle green following the transfer of the bulk of Australian forces from the Middle East to the Pacific to fight against the Japanese in 1942.
[7] Troops hastily sent to New Guinea in the early stages of the campaign had to dye a lot of their existing khaki clothing green, although this tended to run in the heavy tropical rain.
[20] In the years following the end of World War II the Australian Army began to adopt a woollen British Battledress blouse and trousers, with unit titles and formation patches made of cloth, and berets.
In situations where there was a higher risk of head injuries, such as when operating inside a Fire support base or travelling by APC the U.S M1 helmet was sometimes worn, often with flak jacket.
[25] Personnel posted to South Vietnamese units, such as the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV), also often wore local uniforms.
In the early 1970s dress for servicewomen changed to the Australian-style, while in the 1980s they adopted the polyester uniform worn by servicemen (with a skirt added).
[7] DPCU consists of five-tones with a greenish sand coloured background with randomly arranged spots of orange-brown, mid-brown, leaf-green and very dark green overlaid.
[26] Later, as a result of operations in the arid terrain of Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s a Disruptive Pattern Desert Uniform (DPDU) was introduced in 2006.
[36] However, in the Australian Army most personnel wear the same basic uniform, with the distinctive elements being corps and regimental badges, berets, lanyards, and unit colour patches.
There are some smaller exceptions worn on general duties and ceremonial uniforms, with some units wearing black badges of rank, unit badges and other accoutrements, instead of the usual gold and yellow or silver and white worn respectively by all corps, while a number of "Scottish" companies and pipes and drum bands wear distinctive tartans and other items of traditional Scottish dress, including headdress, highland dress jacket, kilt, sporran, hose-top socks, and gaiters.