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USCG AUXILIARY UNIFORMS
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. As such, we have the right and the privilege to wear the official uniforms of the Coast Guard, with subtle differences in insignia to identify us to one another, and to active duty Coast Guard members. The most obvious differences: their buttons and braid are gold; ours are silver, and our collar and shoulder insignia all have a small "A" signifying "Auxiliary". Since, to most of the general public, we are virtually indistinguishable from our active-duty shipmates on the "gold side", we are held to the same high standards of dress, grooming, and comportment. We wear the uniform with pride.
WHAT IS THE UNIFORM OF THE DAY?
Different uniforms are worn for different tasks and different levels of formality. With the exception of operational tasks such as watchstanding, safety patrols, or working alongside the Coast Guard, a blue blazer with dress slacks or a skirt will serve on formal occasions, and many Auxiliarists, particularly new members, wear ordinary civilian clothing to flotilla meetings.
Most auxiliarists can be found owning three basic uniforms: the Tropical Blue ("trops"), the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) and the Service Dress Blue uniform (SDB) . These uniforms are usually acquired in that order. The Winter Dress Blue (WDB) is specifically authorized as a substitute for the SDB uniform, except on occasions when civilians would wear a coat and tie, which is, in turn specifically authorized to be worn as a substitute for the Trops.
You can get your uniform items here:
Uniform Distribution Center (United States Coast Guard .mil website)
Guide to proper uniform wear can be read here: