civvies

civvies

Clothing that one chooses to wear, as opposed to clothing that one is required to wear, such as a uniform. ("Civvies" is short for "civilian.") Once I change into my civvies, I'll meet you at the restaurant.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

civvies

(ˈsɪviz)
n. civilian clothes rather than a uniform. (Originally military.) I re-upped because I couldn’t stand the thought of civvies and stuff like that.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • disguise (someone or oneself) in (something)
  • disguise in
  • birthday
  • birthday suit
  • dress for
  • dress for (someone or something)
  • dress (up) as (someone or something)
  • dress as
  • not have a stitch of clothing (one)
  • slide
References in periodicals archive
Was Ward the man in the pub wearing civvies? Was he targeted by MI6 to follow Crabb's trail and to cover up any potential misdemeanours?
Surely it cannot be a surprise that cheaper civvies are now being considered?
But while Ronan (or Roaming as I've renamed him, as in roaming eye) poshed it up in first class, Sir Tompreferred to slum it in economy with the rest of us civvies.
"But it is even more enjoyable being in civvies again helping a much wider cross-section of people to achieve that wonderful feeling of wellbeing which comes from regular training and good health."
NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: An Iraqi soldier who was on a leave of absence and clad in civvies was shot dead by gunmen fire in northern Mosul city on Thursday, a local police sources said.
Staffed by 20 Army recruiters, some in civvies, it's open to visitors of all ages.
The trombonist in 'civvies' second from the left is Fred Noble, Eric's father (Kirklees ref: ke01894, Examiner ref: 49- FAMILY AFFAIR: The Denby Dale Salvation Army band flying the flag in the early 1900s SMART: According to the hatbands, the Salvation Army Band, possibly from 1919.
MILITARY top brass at the heart of Britain's defence establishment are being allowed to wear civvies if they are too scared to don uniform.
The deployment was part of the TA's annual two-week camp, when the civilian recruits swop their civvies for battle fatigues and put their training into effect.
Toga-clad commercial executives Beccy Green and Kirstie Scott got into the spirit of the occasion to promote the event, though they will revert to modern civvies on raceday, leaving members of the Sussex Archaeological Society and other racegoers to play their part in a fund-raising day for Fishbourne.
Comparing Hampson's young, green soldier with the war-wise former Flying Fortress pilot in Rockwell's 1945 picture Tight Civvies (left center) pretty much tells the story of many veterans who came home from World War II.
Or should she follow Liv Tyler's lead by looking sultry in black civvies?
Anyone who surveys the evening yak shows--where the Ashleighs and the Geraldos have traded in their civvies for camo wear--has a strong sense of what Bray is talking about.
They look as good in civvies as they do in uniform.
Any expected sense of remoteness and isolation - of other-worldliness - is quickly dispelled on meeting the abbey's young, vigorous and quick-witted bursar Father Albert Schlick, a monk who dresses in civvies for the outside world, drives around at high speed, uses a mobile phone and speaks fluent English.