Best place to get USAF uniforms?

[Dad2-4]

Since Vanguard doesn't have anything, what's the best source for USAF blue uniforms? [post edited from previous version]

[PHall]

Vanguard has never carried military uniforms. Insignia is their thing.
CAP uniforms are carried as part of their contract with CAP.

[Eclipse]

http://www.uniforms-4u.com/c-air-force-uniforms-1077.aspx

[Shuman 14]

http://www.uniforms-4u.com/c-air-force-uniforms-1077.aspx

I concur, these are high quality, well made uniforms, better than what AAFES carries and definitely better than the products carried by Vanguard... but you get what you pay for and Salute Uniforms are not cheap.

Also they do not carry the short sleeve light blue shirt currently, which in early Spring is not an issue, but more so in July and August.

[Capt Thompson]

If you know what you're looking for, a local Army surplus store may have uniforms in serviceable condition so you may find the short sleeve blue shirts there, I know my local store usually has them in stock. Also if there is a base near you, the base thrift shop or a thrift shop or surplus store just off base may have what you need.

[SARDOC]

Seems even the Exchange appears to have a shortage of these items.

My Question are the USCG Blue shirt/Trouser Combination the same as the USAF Shirt/trouser combination.

[RangerConlin]

I've got some USCG shirts and if there is a difference, I can't find any. Pants may be a slightly different shade than service coats, but Vanguard doesn't even sell USAF dress pants anyway.

[Eclipse]

Vanguard doesn't even sell USAF dress pants anyway

https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/civil-air-patrol-male-trouser-uniform?variant=31134242111542

[PHall]

Vanguard doesn't even sell USAF dress pants anyway

https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/civil-air-patrol-male-trouser-uniform?variant=31134242111542

Yes Vanguard has them, at about double the price AAFES charges.

[Eclipse]

Yes Vanguard has them, at about double the price AAFES charges.

AAFES prices are irrelevant to the majority of members, who are not allowed to order
online and have no access to an MCSS.

Frankly the nomenclature should just be removed from the CAP lexicon.

[Slim]

I've got some USCG shirts and if there is a difference, I can't find any. Pants may be a slightly different shade than service coats, but Vanguard doesn't even sell USAF dress pants anyway.

Shirts are the same.  Pants are a slightly lighter shade of blue.  Not much, but it is noticeable

[RangerConlin]

Vanguard doesn't even sell USAF dress pants anyway

https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/civil-air-patrol-male-trouser-uniform?variant=31134242111542

Yes Vanguard has them, at about double the price AAFES charges.

They call them USAF dress blue pants, but when I ordered some last year they were not USAF spec, they were Flying Cross brand.

[SarDragon]

The "AF Spec" stuff is what is issued at boot camp. Flying Cross, and other brands, are higher quality (and more expensive) after-market items that usually meet AF requirements. For AD folks, it's pay now or pay later - pay for quality stuff that lasts a long time, or get the cheap stuff and replace more often. For CAP members, taking the cheap route might work, if the frequency of wear is much lower. Personally, I buy clothing like I buy tools - get 'em to last. YMMV.

[PHall]

The "AF Spec" stuff is what is issued at boot camp. Flying Cross, and other brands, are higher quality (and more expensive) after-market items that usually meet AF requirements. For AD folks, it's pay now or pay later - pay for quality stuff that lasts a long time, or get the cheap stuff and replace more often. For CAP members, taking the cheap route might work, if the frequency of wear is much lower. Personally, I buy clothing like I buy tools - get 'em to last. YMMV.

The only place you can get the "issue" stuff is at an AAFES Military Clothing Sales store.
Flying Cross is one of the manufacturers of the higher quality stuff. They meet the specs.

[Shuman 14]

Just an FYI, the "issue Stuff" is manufactured by inmates at Federal Prisons getting a dollar an hour on their commissary card.

"USAF Spec" means minimal standards to be accepted, NOT the highest standards expected.

Simply put... you get what you pay for.

[GroundHawg]

I had really good luck getting uniforms when I enlisted in the USAF. All kinds different uniform items and the price was really really low or really really high depending on how you look at it...

[Jester]

Best place to buy overall is AAFES.  Price & quality are overall better.  Availability can be a challenge if you don't have base access, but that can be overcome with some networking.  They've been hit by the same supply chain issues as most other vendors, and there apparently has been the extra complication of contracts expiring. 

I'd put eBay second over Vanguard.  You can usually find the same stuff you'd get through AAFES, just used.  I'd put surplus stores in this same category.

Vanguard is dead-last for me due to price.

[NovemberWhiskey]

They've been hit by the same supply chain issues as most other vendors

I just don't even see how that's possible, given the Berry Amendment - don't uniform items have to be made in the US from 100% US inputs?

[Jester]

They've been hit by the same supply chain issues as most other vendors

I just don't even see how that's possible, given the Berry Amendment - don't uniform items have to be made in the US from 100% US inputs?

COVID didn't just apply to imports.