As a SA grad and now USMMA parent, I can say that the personal clothing item checklist is a pet peeve of mine. If they want you to have it, and care about uniformity -- just issue it. So why don't they? I can only assume the reasons are that USMMA is a small school and cannot justify stockpiling inventory of all the sizes (but what about USCGA?), as a DOT funded entity - there just isn't money for it (yet students/parents get an invoice for things each year), and USMMA mids are not on payroll and should have options on what they purchase to better fit individual budgets.
An improvement would simply be to curate a list of acceptable makes/models. It is my understanding that other SA do this for advance purchase of combat boots ahead of BCT/Indoc. A simple Amazon shopping list for males and a separate for females. Armed with a list, parents can source them from anywhere.
USMMA does make a computer kit - why not a personal garment kit and push that through the NEX?
At the end of the day, foot ware has one of the largest impact on the mid's ability to perform PT. Either open it up and don't care about the color or provide what you find acceptable via list or supply. Don't rely on members of the parent's club who often only have second hand knowledge to visually approve your purchase.
If we want to stand behind the idea of "attention to detail", and that mids will be expected to have this awareness in the engine room or on the bridge, then be specific. If we want to teach them that everything is gray - then keep the status quo.