Uniforms of the Italian Armed Forces

The Italian Armed Forces have an extensive history, during which they have undergone changes in the equipment they use, and the military uniforms they wear.

Since the abolition of the Monarchy in 1946, the Republican form of government has made no major changes to ceremonial and historical uniforms except of replacing the Monarchy's emblems (Such as, the monogram of the reigning King) with Republican ones (Mostly, the combined letters of R and I, meaning Italian republic, Italian: Repubblica Italiana.)

During the Spedizione dei Mille (an event during the war for the Italian Unification, nationally called Risorgimento), where Giuseppe Garibaldi's volunteer troops unofficially helped the King of Savoy to conquer the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, all of the troops wore red shirts, following the example of Garibaldi's Italian Legion that had fought in the Guerra Grande in South America.

[2] The soldiers of the Royal Army dressed in green coloured uniforms with black boots and helmets.

[8][9] The first uniforms of the Italian Air Force included a hand-tailored dress tunic that was made of a medium blue-grey colored wool.

[18][19] There are precise laws that regulate Armed Forces’ uniforms regarding the type of material, color and badge.

[29] Accessories completing the uniform include gloves, special footwear and a T-shirt with short or long sleeves, depending on the season.

If the activity or the situation requires so, a raincoat made up of a thermo lining and a warm windbreaker are added.

The Combat version is composed of a helmet, an anti-reflection tarp, a scarf and a belt with glove compartment to the basic Service Uniform.

[1] The Armed Force's choice of headgear is the beret, used since the 1980s (adapted from the side cap), and is the most worn headdress by Italian troops.

[7] Troops had a three-button jacket (known also as a sahariana), which included four patch-pockets with a central pleat closed by small buttons, and it was partially lined.

NCOs and Officials utilized a lighter color than troops, and they were allowed to adapt their uniforms during the war.

[46] Despite paratroopers preferring the khaki uniforms, they continued to wear the grey-green berets, helmets and the traditional campaign hats.

[29] It was added to the bomb with a flame on the left, overlapped by two crossed daggers, the paratrooper's canopy and the right wing of the Aviotruppe's medal.

[54][56] The design of the uniforms is based on the rank of the personnel (officers, marshals, troops and cadets).

[56][16] The standard uniform used by regular troops is the same for male and female personnel, with the exception of the jacket in the winter version (six-buttons for male and a three-buttons for female personnel), and it presents two seasonal variations for summer and winter.

The female personnel are also allowed to carry a bag and substitute the classic cut trousers with a skirt.

There are some common features such as the peaked cap for officers and NCOs, which remains white on top with a black brim and the Italian Navy symbol sewn on the front; the light blue band passing from the right shoulder and tied to the opposite hip; the black shoes and a sword (for officers), the hilt of which is coloured in gold.

The summer version is lighter and almost entirely white colored, with black and golden shoulder pads bearing rank insignia.

After being transported in a submarine, they use diving in order to stealthily reach places while remaining undercover.

[59] The Operational Divers Group (Italian: Gruppo Operativo Subacquei, abbreviated as GOS) is a special unit that is deployed for conducting any interventions in depths (of the sea) that reach more than 1000 meters underwater.

The uniform used is fully black, with transparent scuba glasses, a torch mounted on top of the helmet and two oxygen tanks attached to the back of the operator.

[64] The uniform that the Gendarmerie wore in 1814 consisted of a turquoise fabric buttoned suit with a blue collar and padded gloves.

[67] The modern Carabinieri Force uniform is colored in black for every seasonal version, with small variations on weather basis (coat or wind jacket), and is composed of a four-button jacket with shoulder pads: all buttons on the uniform are silvered.

The trousers have a classic cut, with four pockets and has two vertical red stripes along the outer side of both legs, stretching from the hips to the ankles.

Under the Carabinieri, there are also special police forces in charge with both internal and external security, each with their own uniforms.

The color of the uniform utilized by this élite force is usually the dark blue, even though mimetic and desert variations exist.

Due to the generally milder weather and the rocky features of the southern landscape, the Hunters' uniforms consist of a lighter battle dress with a dark green camouflage pattern, together with leather gloves and combat boots.

Also present with the uniform is a distinctive bright red beret, with the Carabinieri symbol sewn onto it.

[71] The Sicilian Hunters (Italian: Cacciatori di Sicilia) are a special paratroop unit of the Carabinieri based in Sicily.