Reportedly, the neckerchief made its first appearance in the 16th century and was primarily worn as a sweat rag and to protect the sailor's neck from rubbing raw against their stiff collared shirts.
A rope lanyard was worn around the neck or waist to carry a boatswain's whistle or a jackknife (folding blade with clipped point to impede use in fights). The lanyard kept the items from dropping to the deck when sailors worked aloft (areas above the deck).
Bandanas. Bandanas were worn as a tactic to keep the sweat from the eyes of a laboring deckhand and interestingly, apart from indicating wealth, gold hoop earrings also had the practical use of easing sea sickness due to the pressure they applied to earlobes.
The square collar on a sailor's uniform might be its most identifiable characteristic. It serves no real purpose now, but it was very useful to those with a popular Civil War hairstyle.
Anti-flash hoods are worn by navy personnel whenever a fire breaks out onboard ship, during periods of heightened readiness, or in training exercises. They are usually worn with anti-flash gloves or gauntlets to protect hands and arms.
Those 13 buttons are supposed to represent the 13 original colonies. (A sailor from Utah once complained that he wasn't represented.)
The U.S. Navy had been sporting the flared cuffs on its work uniforms since 1817. The idea was that sailors who would be working on the topmost decks, who were presumably swabbing it or whatever sailors did up there back then, would want to roll their pants up to keep them from getting wet or dirty.
The trouser material is made of cotton fibers that swell when wet and can hold air. In the event of a sailor falling overboard or having to abandon ship without a life vest, the bell-bottomed trousers can be quickly removed in the water without having to remove footwear.
(1) While walking in uniform, officers must not eat, drink, or chew gum.
Part of everyday Naval life, a salute is always made with the palm facing in. Why? Because sailors' hands were generally covered in tar from sails and rigging, and it was deemed unsightly to show an officer or member of the Royal Family a dirty palm.
The three lines are by tradition said to commemorate the Battles of Copenhagen, the Nile and Trafalgar.
Symbol of peace: In olden days, seafarers traveled to different countries to explore the world. They achieved this as messengers of peace. White colour symbolises peace.
Naval collars have a long past. Their original purpose is unclear. They may have originally helped protect the main uniform from staining. Back in the days when sailors had long hair worn in pigtails, they often covered their hair in tar or tallow (fat), which could rub off on their clothing.
A neckerchief (from neck (n.) + kerchief), sometimes called a necker, kerchief or scarf, is a type of neckwear associated with those working or living outdoors, including farm labourers, cowboys and sailors.
To wear this coveted color, a Sailor must earn the aircraft director qualification. Those personnel work in the ship's air department and specifically handle and maneuver aircraft. "Yellow shirts are aircraft directors," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Eric Ballard.
The flap collar is perhaps the most recognizable item of the sailor suit. It is often considered lucky to touch a sailor's collar. The bell-bottomed trousers were designed so that they could be rolled up easily when scrubbing the decks.
Consumption of alcohol in the NWUs off-base is not permitted. Consumption of alcohol in the NWUs on base is authorized as promulgated by Regional Commanders. The Area or Regional Commander may further restrict uniform policies within their geographical limits regarding wear of the NWUs.
Hand-holding, hugging and kissing are generally not allowed while in uniform.
Flight suits are not liberty uniforms. Consumption of alcohol while off-base in flight suit is not permitted.
Originally with seven equally spaced horizontal creases down each leg, (supposedly representing the seven seas but that, in reality simply made the trousers easier to fold away in a limited space!), the early bell-bottoms featured a flap held in place by buttons rather than a fly.
A red aiguillette is worn on the left shoulder by United States Navy Recruit Division commanders, whereas a blue aiguillette is worn by Recruit Division commanders in training. Recruit Division commanders wearing these are referred colloquially as "red ropes" and "blue ropes" respectively.
U.S. Navy sailors began calling their service dress uniforms "cracker jacks" because of the mascot of the popular caramel-coated popcorn and peanut snack. Cracker Jack was introduced in 1896 and the mascot "Sailor Jack" made his debut in 1916.
The blue uniforms are being phased out partly because of sailors' complaints, former Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said in an August statement. “(Sailors) want uniforms that are comfortable, lightweight, breathable … and they want fewer of them,” he said.
Number one on the list of best military uniforms is the Marine Corps dress blues. The Marine dress blue uniform includes a long dark blue coat with a stand collar. The collar includes red trim and gold buttons. Also, Marines wear a white belt with the dress coat.
Service Dress White
This uniform is informally called "chokers" due to the standing collar. The material, formerly cotton, today is a weave of polyester known as "Certified Navy Twill". The white combination cap is the prescribed headgear.