How to Blouse Your Boots

How to Blouse Your Boots

DrillMasterDrill Teams, Honor Guard, Instructional, Uniform Tips 2 Comments

When I first began teaching as the DrillMaster, I wore the Army Combat Uniform (photos below) until I achieved my goal of wearing a generic solid blue Tactical Duty Uniform (above) when I teach.

Many years ago while I was still active duty in the Air Force I bought blousing weights to give a “squared-off” look to my Battle Dress Uniform trousers legs. I appreciated the look and the uniformity. If you would like to do this as well, please come with me:

How to Blouse Your Boots
How to Blouse Your Boots 1

First, pull on your trousers, put on your boots and tie and tuck the laces. Then, pull your trousers back down to your boots.

How to Blouse Your Boots
How to Blouse Your Boots 2

Next, pull the trouser legs up so that the hem is anywhere from 2 inches to 6 inches above your boots. This is something you are going to have to gauge for yourself: you need to have long trouser legs to begin with and you will need to see what feels and looks right for you based on that length. You will see what I mean in a minute.

How to Blouse Your Boots
How to Blouse Your Boots 3

Now place your blousing strap (pictured) or blousing band (little green things with metal hooks) around your leg just above the boot. A note here: some people prefer to use a blousing band and have it on the boot so that it doesn’t feel like their circulation is being cut off.

How to Blouse Your Boots
How to Blouse Your Boots 4

This is what I use for weight. While I was in the USAF,  I wrapped these with clear tape and had dozens of pennies on the inside because the weights were actually 4 inches wide and would stay up around my calf when I sat down. I cut them in half and used the 2 halves, but I lost some of the weight, hence the pennies.

How to Blouse Your Boots
How to Blouse Your Boots 5

After you pull your trousers on and get buckled and buttoned, reach down and now pull out to spread the material around to give the best presentation.

How to Blouse Your Boots
How to Blouse Your Boots 6

Here we have a more squared-off look. I don’t use the pennies as weights anymore so you can see that, even though the blouse is more horizontal, there is still some material that may bunch up.

Comments 2

  1. Hello,

    Did you ever think of putting elastinc band in the end of your pant leg? You just put it over the boot and that’s it.

    Cheers,
    Alex

    1. Post
      Author

      Hello Alex,

      Yes if course, this is an option, but not one I ever chose. Many Airmen during my time altered their BDU trousers having elastic sewn into the bottom seam, which was usually much shorter than the original length of the trouser legs to make the elastic come to the top of the boots. The elastic did not last very long, gives out, comes away from the material and is not easily replaced. The bands shown in the pictures above are easily replaced.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *