He was coming home in less than 48 hours, and I still had no idea what I was going to wear. I’d spent countless hours searching through hundreds of military homecoming outfits online, only to come up empty-handed.
I shaved my legs three times, cleaned the house so well it looked like no one lived there, and I stocked the fridge with all his favorites.
I somehow managed to cope with the deployment separation, figured out OPSEC, and created some awesome military care package ideas.
But the one thing that was holding me back?
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The military homecoming outfit.
Since then, my service member and I have weathered seven deployments and military homecomings together. Regardless if you are a seasoned military wife, new military wife or military girlfriend, I’d love to share my best tips and tricks for military homecoming outfits…
1. Go for the casual dress.
I am a big fan of dresses for homecoming! Although, there have definitely been times that I’ve worn pants or nice shorts. Dresses aren’t for everyone, but love, love, love this navy scoop neck dress from Miusol.
And if your homecoming is in the fall, this dress here is to die for, especially if you pair with boots and an infinity scarf.
2. Choose something comfortable.
Chances are it’s going to be a long wait from the time you arrive to the pick up location until you actually head home. If you are wearing 6 inch platform heals and a bridesmaid dress, you’ll be frustrated and flustered before he even reaches your arms.
Choose an outfit that will feel comfortable to you all day long. I love these denim leggings in olive. They have a built in control top to help tuck away any delivery pizza or ice cream from the night before.
I pair with a casual v-neck blouse with cuffed sleeves because it doesn’t wrinkle and it’s forgiving around the waist. Plus, the flow of the blouse is super sexy. Here’a another v-neck blouse option and a short sleeve one from CK. Pair it with these classic heels from Nine West and you’re good to go.
3. Keep the “girls” in check.
What you are wearing on the outside is equally as important as what you are wearing under your clothes. You can go to a lingerie boutique and spend a fortune. No doubt I’ve done it before.
But my biggest secret?
The quality and comfort are both totally there and the price is much more reasonable. AND it’s not so cheap that you are sacrificing quality. If you’re going to invest in some new lingerie, you want it to be something you can wear more than once.
Love how this one has leopard print on the back…it’s like a little surprise. My other top picks are here and here.
4. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Military homecoming outfits are a great time to try a new style! Going for something that is a unique print or new fashion trend can help the day feel extra special. I love this long and flowing maxi dress…super sexy and great if you have a fuller bust.
If you’re looking to show off your waist or your bottom, this dress perfectly draws your attention to those areas.
This summer chiffon dress is another really fun choice. It drapes perfectly over your body and doesn’t hug too tight. Plus, it comes in several different fun and funky prints.
5. Go for classy, not trashy.
You absolutely want to stand out for your service member. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen each other. But you also don’t want to be the talk of the town. Remember to wear something that you would feel proud of several years down the road.
If your look is a little flashy or revealing, I love using a blazer to keep it classy during the initial homecoming, and then once you are home, take the blazer off. You’ll find a few different versions here and here.
6. Be yourself.
It is fun to try new things, but if you do so, be true to your individual taste and style. One super easy way to “be yourself” when choosing an outfit is to ask yourself one question: Does this bring me joy?
When you pick up your military homecoming outfit, look at it and try it on…do you feel joy? If so, you’ve got a winner!
I love your style, Lauren! My only accessory tip? Rose between your teeth! (Goes with any of these outfits!) 😉
That would be an awesome touch! I will try it the next time 🙂
Lauren
My boyfriend is coming home from deployment in August to New York. He says we will attend a “ party” while we are there? Is this a semi- formal or formal affair? I can’t get much out of him except he will be wearing dress blues. Help!
Jackie
Dress Blues are the top of the wardrobe for your service member. Party can be anything from a “Mess Night,” to section pub crawl (highly unlikely in blues!).
Your service member’s unit has to have left a “stay behind” detachment. Contact them and ask for the spouses liasion (they aren’t just for spouses!) or S-1.
If they didn’t leave a contact number (person), try the next unit above them.
Same questions, same contact points.
Respects-
Tony Bowman
USMC (LtCol, retired)
Do you have any suggestions for a fiancé and future wife of an army officer? Your relationship has been strictly long distance so far. We’re deeply in love and plan to marry when he returns home. I find it frustrating sometimes that although we have had a serious nonstop relationship for nearly a year, our first actual meeting will be when he returns home. There is so much I don’t know and I often feel like a fish out of water. I have no one to talk to at all who can relate. It is so lonely and it hurts. I have no one to talk too during this crucial time in our lives for support. I am the luckiest lady in the world.
Weather permitting of course, I always wore a sun dress (slightly above the knee) and medium-heeled sandalettes for homecomings.