Worn at state occasions and official formal evening functions, the Women’s Officer Mess Dress Uniform is the Air Force equivalent of civilian black-tie attire and its possession is mandatory for Officers. Its primary components (coat, blouse, skirt, pumps) all are part of the Women’s Officer Formal Dress Uniform (Formal Dress is worn only by Officers).
The Women’s Officer's Mess Dress Uniform include:
♦ Women's Mess Dress Coat (with shoulder boards)
♦ Women's Mess Dress Blouse
♦ Mess Dress Skirt
♦ Sheer nylon hosiery (neutral, dark brown, black or off-black, or dark blue)
♦ Blue-satin tie tab (inverted-V style; silver for Formal Unifrom)
♦ Blue-satin cummerbund (pleats up; silver for Formal Uniform)
♦ Matching cuff links and studs (optional)
♦ Black pumps (low cut, max. 3” heel, high-gloss or patent finish)
♦ Chaplain, Aeronautical, Space, Cyberspace, and Missile Operation badges are mandatory
♦ Air Force Command Insignia is mandatory
Unlike the Men’s version of the Mess Dress Uniform, the Women’s Mess Dress Coat does not come with chained buttons for front closure and is instead worn open. Only miniature medals are worn on the Mess Dress Uniform, and the only authorized headgear is the Blue Winter Cap.
Saluting is not required when wearing the Enlisted Mess Dress Uniform.