This session of the Air Force Uniform Board included a special panel that was specifically chartered to make recommendations regarding updates/revisions to uniform standards affecting women Airmen. After careful review, the board approved several changes that affect women specifically:
-- “Scrunchies” are prohibited.
-- Hairpins and bands must match hair color.
-- Hair color, frosting and highlights will not be faddish and will match natural hair colors, i.e. blonde, brunette, natural red, black or gray.
-- No shaved head or flat top hairstyles for women.
-- Synthetic hair can be worn, as long as it meets safety and mission requirements.
-- Braids, micro-braids and cornrows are authorized.
-- Nail polish will not contrast with complexion or detract from the uniform. Nor is polish of extreme color, such as purple, gold, black, blue or any florescent color, authorized. Nail polish will also be limited to one color.
-- French manicures are allowed, but fingernail length in all instances will not exceed one-quarter inch beyond the fingertip.
-- In addition to clutch-style purses, purses with no more than two straps are authorized with mess dress.
-- Earrings will be small spherical, conservative diamond, gold, white pearl or silver with any uniform combination and must be worn as a set. For those with multiple ear piercing, only one set of earrings will be worn in the lower earlobe and will also conform to these earring wear standards when performing duty in civilian clothes.
-- Male flight cap is optional.
The updates will be added to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, when the new version is released in March.
