What Is the Proper Way to Blouse BDU Pants?

The military and many security jobs require that uniform pants be bloused.

Battle dress uniforms, or BDUs, are worn by military, police and other uniformed security workers for combat and tactical situations. Even though BDUs are designed for practical use, wearing BDUs is strictly regulated to create a professional and distinguished appearance. The pants of the BDU should be bloused over the boots, which can be tricky because the material can come loose or ride up as you go about your day. Using blousing straps is the recommended way to blouse BDU pants.

Things You'll Need

• Uniform boots
• BDU pants
• Blousing straps

Instructions

1. Put on your boots and BDU pants, with the pant legs covering the boots.

2. Pull up your pant leg to the top of your boot. Fan out the excess material so that it is even on all sides of your leg. Flatten the bottom of the pant leg against the top of your boot.

3. Attach the blousing strap to the bottom of the pant leg. Wrap it all the way around your boot so that it secures the pant leg in place. Fan the excess material down over the blousing strap so that the strap is not visible.

4. Repeat with the other leg. Make sure that you can move comfortably once the straps are in place, and that the material will not slip out of the blousing straps.

Tips & Warnings

• Blousing straps are available at military retailers such as Army Navy stores or Internet retailers.

• You can strap the bottom of the pant legs to your skin above the boot, which is more comfortable for some people. However, the blousing strap might ride up your leg, revealing the strap or your skin.

References

• SDSU.edu: Preparing a BDU
• ArmySurplusStore.com: Blousing Straps