The female military uniform is evolving worldwide. More and more countries are adapting traditionally male gear to fit the female body. But it’s not going as smoothly as it should. And that leaves room for a hidden pink tax. Because even female soldiers who face combat on a daily basis often still pay out of pocket to make sure they can do their jobs safely. 

Local seamstresses tailor uniforms

According to figures from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over one in five Israeli soldiers in 2024 was a woman and the number is still rising.  Yet these women are still issued gear designed for the male body. Even though it’s now well established that standard-issue men’s combat gear, vests and helmets, provides significantly less protection for women than it does for men.

To ensure they can still do their jobs safely and comfortably, it’s become common practice to have the clothing altered. Often, it’s the parents who take the uniforms to local seamstresses on days their daughters are off duty. Nearly every neighborhood in Israel has one, a seamstress who, with a constant stream of uniforms, makes sure the clothes actually fit the women who wear them.

It’s striking that these women still have to go into combat wearing gear that doesn’t fit properly, especially considering that suppliers of protective vests to the Israeli army have confirmed that female-specific models do exist. The IDF has simply chosen not to adopt them. As a result, 90% of female soldiers report that their protective vest does not fit properly.

The gap between theory and practice

Even among those working to implement female-specific military gear, practice proves more difficult than theory. In Ukraine, where many women also serve on the front lines, there’s been a major push to introduce gender-specific uniforms since the war began.

Recent research by Statewatch, a Ukrainian organization that monitors defense spending and other government activities, looked into this issue.  Despite official statements that 90% of female soldiers have received a properly fitting clothing package, things still go wrong. Wrong sizes are often purchased, and the fit does not properly accommodate women’s body shapes.

When it comes to winter gear, only men’s models are still being issued. As a result, 81.8% of women wear the wrong size and some end up buying their own gear. 

The same goes for bulletproof vests: female-specific models exist, but they are not being procured. To fill the gap, female soldiers in Ukraine receive support from various volunteer organizations. In addition to donations of properly fitting uniforms from abroad, some volunteers are even making uniforms themselves. But they depend on donations to do so.

The West is preparing

Meanwhile, Western countries have been working on better-fitting gear for female soldiers for years. As far back as 2012, a female bulletproof vest was introduced in the United States, named Invention of the Year by Time Magazine.  In 2017, Romania announced it would roll them out in its army, and more recently, they’ve also started being issued in the Netherlands.

The shortage of military personnel in many countries is one factor driving this shift. But broader social developments are also playing an increasingly important role. There’s growing awareness around personal protective equipment and functional workwear for women. And that’s a good thing. Because everyone deserves to be properly protected on the job. Your gender shouldn’t make a difference.

Photo credit: The Times of Israel