What is a tactical dress?

A tactical dress (also known as a ‘tactical uniform’) is a type of clothing that is typically worn by law enforcement officers, military personnel, and emergency services workers. It is designed to provide the wearer with a level of protection, as well as comfort and flexibility. 

Tactical clothing is often made from sturdy, durable materials, such as ballistic nylon or Cardura. This helps to protect the wearer against environmental hazards, such as debris and dirt, and also provides resistance to flames and water.

Tactical clothing can be divided into two main categories: overt and covert. Overt clothing is designed to be easily identifiable by others, while covert clothing is designed to be less conspicuous.

A History and Advisory About Tactical Clothing:

The first recorded use of the term ‘tactical’ was in the 1920s when British forces used the term to describe the clothing they wore while on the campaign.

There are four major influences that have shaped the tactical fashion industry:

1- Military

2- Police

3- Firefighting

4- Emergency medical services

Each of these provides a platform for the development of modern-day tactical clothing.

Military Influence:

In the early 20th Century, the British and US armed forces began to introduce a new type of uniform.  This was because of an increased emphasis on mobility and the use of heavy, bulky equipment. 

The British military’s Pattern 1914 Trousers were the first to feature the concept of a heavy, durable garment.  This was done by combining the trousers with a heavy jacket, which was held closed with a belt.  The jacket was made of cotton or wool to provide the wearer with warmth and protection from the elements.  The trousers were made from cotton, and were designed to be worn with a separate cap.  The concept of a ‘tactical’ uniform was born.

Around the same time, the US Army and the US Marine Corps introduced a new uniform.  This was made from heavy cotton fabric, and was designed to withstand the rigours of combat.  This would be worn with a separate cap, and it was this that would later come to be known as the  ‘tactical uniform’. 

The influence of the military can be seen in the design of many tactical clothing brands, such as Tuff-Tex, EMSC, and TACTICAL.  In fact, all of these brands were originally developed by a former US Navy SEAL, named Joe Sims.

 His first brand was Tuff-Tex, which was a functional, lightweight, combat-style jacket.  It was this that gave birth to the tactical uniform.

The next stage in the evolution of the tactical uniform came in the form of the British Army’s Pattern 1918 Field Jacket.  This was followed by the British Army’s Pattern 1920 Field Jacket.  Was the first jacket to feature a two-piece design, as well as a utility belt.

United States Military Standard: 

In 1933, the US Army began to standardize the design of its tactical uniform.  This was so that all of its personnel could be issued the same type of clothing.  This would allow them to be more effective in combat.  The first of these was the US Army’s Pattern 1938 Field Jacket.  This was the first jacket to feature a two-piece design.  It was this that would later come to be known as the  ‘tactical vest’.

The next development was the US Army’s Pattern 1940 Field Jacket.  This was the first jacket to feature a utility belt, and it was this that gave birth to the modern-day tactical pants.

The US Army was the first to introduce the concept of  ‘delta force’ – this was a team of soldiers that were heavily trained to deploy into combat environments. 

They were issued with a ‘special’ uniform that was designed to be more comfortable than their standard-issue uniform.  This was done in an effort to make it easier for them to perform their duties. 

The first of these was the US Army’s Pattern 1941 Uniform.  This was the first jacket to feature a utility belt, and it was this that gave birth to the modern-day tactical shirt.  It was also the first to feature a two-piece design.

The next development in the US military’s uniform was the US Army’s Pattern 1944 Combat Shirt.  This was the first shirt to feature a utility belt, and it was this that gave birth to the modern-day tactical shirt.

The final development in the US military’s uniform was the US Army’s Pattern 1945 Combat Shirt.

When Did the Term ‘Tactical Gear’ First Appear?

The first uses of the term ‘tactical gear’ was in the late 1940s, when the US Army introduced the term to describe the equipment they used on their frequent missions.

The first use of the term was in a US Army publication called the ‘Army Tactical School Operations Manual’.  In this publication, the term was used to describe the equipment that was carried by US Army Rangers.

This was a concept that would later be adopted by the US Army and the US Marine Corps.  They would then use the term to describe the equipment that they carried while on patrol.

What Does the Future Hold for Tactical Gear?

In the modern-day world, there is no end in sight to the development of tactical clothing.  In fact, there are several new technologies being developed, and several new technologies, such as 3D printing, are being re-purposed for the production of tactical clothing. 

This is done in an effort to provide the wearer with the type of protection and comfort that they need to perform their duties, whilst also being easy to wear throughout the day.

In the future, the development of tactical clothing will continue to focus on providing the wearer with the best protection, comfort, and flexibility that they can.  This will be done in a way that is easy to wear and will continue to keep up with the demands of modern-day work.

Conclusion: 

As you can see, there are several factors that have influenced the development of modern-day tactical clothing.  Each of these factors has influenced the design, development, and production of tactical clothing.  It is this that ensures that there is a wide range of tactical clothing available for the wearer to choose from. 

Tactical clothing is often made from sturdy, durable materials, such as ballistic nylon or Cardura. This helps to protect the wearer against environmental hazards, such as debris and dirt, and also provides resistance to flames and water.