USMC Woodland MARPAT, Family Outfit Ideas
Woodland MARPAT Cammies | Family Outfit Ideas for a Military Retirement Ceremony, Homecomings and other Military Events
I noticed that every time I went to make an outfit guide for a military client I NEVER found one that included the military uniform on Pinterest or Google searches.
Why is that?
This gap needs to be filled, and I would love to do that with you. I want this to become a new normal for military families planning meaningful ceremonies and family photographs.
This guide was created around a Marine Corps retirement ceremony where the service member wore the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform in woodland MARPAT—what most families simply call “cammies.”
Please remember that military retirement ceremonies do not all look the same. Some service members wear camouflage utilities, while others may wear a service uniform or dress uniform depending on their branch, rank, command, and ceremony plans.
This guide is not official military or Department of Defense guidance. It is simply my personal photography and styling perspective as a Navy veteran, military photographer, and someone who has spent years photographing military families.
Next up in the line of military related outfit guides for families is the USMC Enlisted Woodland MARPATUniform.
The Color Palette Inspo
Woodland MARPAT already includes several strong colors: olive green, brown, tan, black, and muted gray. Instead of trying to match the camouflage exactly, I built this family palette around colors that complement it:
Navy and soft blue
Dusty rose and blush pink
Sage and muted green
Cream and white
Khaki and warm tan
Charcoal and gray
This keeps the family visually connected without making everyone look like they are wearing a uniform. The goal is coordination—not identical outfits.
Links for each item starting from the top left and moving over:
Navy Floral Tiered Dress & White Floral Women’s Dress
Sizes: Small -XXLarge
Material: 100% Polyester
Style: Short-sleeve V-neck dress with a flowy tiered skirt; also available in white floral and other prints.Women’s Dusty Rose Tiered Maxi Dress — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Small–XX-Large
Material: 100% cotton shell with 100% polyester lining
Style: Short sleeves, V-neck, elastic high waist, A-line silhouette, tiered skirt, pull-on design, and two pockets.14K Gold-Plated Hypoallergenic Hoop Earrings
Size: Approximately 1.6-inch diameter; 2 mm thick
Material: 14K gold plating with 925 sterling-silver-tone posts
Style: Lightweight polished hoops with a secure clasp and design listed as suitable for sensitive ears.Gold Stacked Bracelet Set
Sizes: Not provided
Material: Gold-tone finish; exact material not provided
Style: Layered bracelets for adding a warm, polished accessory to family photo outfits.Girls Polyester Swiss-Dot Maxi Dress with Pockets — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Approximately ages 6–15; listed sizes 6–7 through 14–15
Material: 100% polyester
Style: Lightweight A-line maxi dress with dual ruffle sleeves, subtle Swiss-dot texture, side pockets, round neckline, button-back closure, and pull-on design.Girls’ Strappy Dress Sandals — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Children’s sizes; 6T - 5Y - use the listing’s foot-length size chart
Material: Manmade upper with rubber sole
Style: Flat open-toe sandals with cushioned insoles, flexible non-slip soles, breathable lining, and adjustable hook-and-loop closure.Boys Cotton Short-Sleeve Henley Shirt — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Approximately ages 3–14; sizes 110–160
Material: 100% cotton
Style: Lightweight short-sleeve shirt with a button Henley neckline, single chest pocket, regular fit, and solid-color options.Linen-Cotton Pull-On Jogger Pants — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Children’s sizes; 4T - 14
Material: 55.4% linen and 44.6% cotton
Style: Breathable pull-on pants with an elastic waistband, tapered legs, ribbed jogger cuffs, two side pockets, and two back pockets.Stretch Cotton Twill 9-Inch Shorts — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Multiple men’s waist sizes 29-42
Material: 98% cotton and 2% elastane
Style: Slim-fit chino shorts with a 9-inch inseam, flat front, zipper closure, five pockets, and comfortable stretch.Lightweight Mesh Lace-Up Sneakers — Multiple colors available
Sizes: Multiple men’s shoe sizes 6.5-13
Material: Fabric knit upper with a lightweight EVA sole
Style: Breathable lace-up walking shoes with cushioned insoles, shock absorption, moderate cushioning, and anti-slip traction.
Why These Outfits Work Together
The women’s dresses bring movement, softness, and pattern into the photographs. The navy floral dress connects naturally with the darker tones in the MARPAT uniform, while the dusty rose dress adds warmth and contrast. The white floral option keeps the overall palette light and photographs beautifully against both camouflage and neutral ceremony spaces.
For younger girls, the lavender, sage, and cream dresses repeat the same soft colors without looking overly matched. The tiered silhouettes also create texture and movement, which can be beautiful in photographs when children are walking, twirling, or interacting with family members.
The boys’ outfits are intentionally simple: cotton Henley shirts, breathable linen-cotton joggers, and neutral sneakers. These pieces are comfortable enough for a long ceremony but still polished enough for family portraits.
For men, the light shirts, khaki or neutral shorts, and casual mesh sneakers create a relaxed summer look. The neutral bottoms help keep the attention on the service member while still making the family look thoughtfully coordinated.
A Note About Patterns
You do not need every family member to wear a solid color. In fact, one or two floral patterns can keep the group from looking flat or overly styled.
When using patterns, I recommend choosing smaller-scale prints or softer floral designs. Then repeat one or two colors from those patterns elsewhere in the family’s clothing. In this guide, the navy, blush, sage, cream, and lavender tones are repeated throughout the group.
Think About the Ceremony Location
Before choosing clothing, consider where the retirement ceremony will take place.
A formal indoor ceremony may call for slightly dressier fabrics and shoes. An outdoor ceremony may require breathable materials, comfortable footwear, and outfits that allow children to move easily. If the ceremony is being held on a military installation, remember that you may also be walking between parking areas, buildings, seating areas, and portrait locations.
Comfort matters. A beautiful outfit will not photograph well if a child is uncomfortable, overheated, or wearing shoes they cannot walk in.
Clothing Tips for Military Family Photographs
Try to avoid large logos, neon colors, highly reflective fabrics, and extremely bold patterns. These details can pull attention away from the service member and may date the photographs quickly.
Soft texture photographs beautifully. Linen, cotton, light knits, tiered skirts, subtle dots, and small floral patterns all add visual interest without overwhelming the group.
I also recommend bringing a backup outfit or at least a backup shirt for young children. Ceremonies can be long, and children are very talented at finding the one thing that can stain an otherwise perfect outfit.
Most importantly, leave room for real interaction. The best images are not always the perfectly posed ones. They are often the photographs of a child reaching for a parent, a spouse adjusting a collar, or a family member looking at the retiree with complete pride.
Final Thoughts
A retirement ceremony marks the end of one chapter, but the photographs often become part of the family’s history for decades. Your family does not need to look perfectly matched. You just need to look like you belong together.
Start with the uniform. Choose a simple color palette. Add texture and movement. Then make sure everyone can actually move, sit, walk, and enjoy the day in what they are wearing.
That balance is what makes a family photograph feel polished while still feeling like your family.
Do you have suggestions for another military outfit guide, or are you planning a military event and need help choosing what to wear? Comment below or send me an email. I would love to create a personalized guide for your family.
Disclosure: This guide includes affiliate links through Amazon. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Do you have suggestions on other outfit guides or are you in need of assistance for your own military event? Comment below or send me an email and I can get you a personalized guide!
Disclosure: This guide does include affiliate links through Amazon.
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Woodland MARPAT Cammies | Family Outfit Ideas for a Military Retirement Ceremony and other Military Events