DUNGAREES - In 1901 regulations authorized the first use of denim jumpers and trousers, and the 1913 regulation originally permitted the dungaree outfit to be used by both officers and enlisted personnel with the hat of the day.

DITTY BAG - Ditty bag (or box) was originally called ditto bag because it contained at least two of everything: two needles, two spools of thread, two buttons, etc. With the passing of years, the "ditto" was dropped in favor of ditty and remains so today. Before WWII, the Navy issued ditty boxes made of wood and styled after foot lockers These carried the personal gear and some clothes of the sailor. Today the ditty bag is still issued to recruits and contains a sewing kit, toiletry articles and personal items such as writing paper and pens.

FLAT HATS - Were first authorized in 1852. The flat hat was eliminated on 1 April 1963 due to non-available materials. The original hats had unit names on the front, however, unit names were taken off in January of 1941.

FOULED ANCHOR- The foul anchor as a naval insignia got its start as the seal of the Lord Howard of Effingham. He was the Lord Admiral of England at the time of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. During this period their personal seal of the great officer of state was adopted as the seal of his office. The fouled anchor still remains the official seal of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain. When this office became part of the present Board of Admiralty, the seal was retained on buttons, official seals, and cap badges. The Navy’s adoption of this symbol and many other customs can be directly attributed to the influence of the British Naval tradition. The fouled anchor is among one of them.

FOULED ANCHOR, THE CPO - The Fouled Anchor is the emblem of the Rate of Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy. Attached to the Anchor is a length of chain and the letters U.S.N.

JUMPER FLAPS - The collar originated as a protective cover for the jacket to protect it from the grease or powder normally worn by seamen to hold hair in place.

KHAKI - Originated in 1845 in India where British soldiers soaked white uniforms in mud, coffee, and curry powder to blend in with the landscape. Khakis made their debut in the U.S. Navy in 1912 when they were worn by naval aviators, and were adopted for submarines in 1931. In 1941 the Navy approved khakis for on-station wear by senior officers and soon after Pearl Harbor chiefs and Officers wee authorized to wear khakis ashore on liberty.

MEN’S NECKERCHIEF - The black neckerchief or bandanna first appeared as early as the 16th century and was utilized as a sweat band and collar closure. Black was the predominant color as it was practical and did not readily show dirt. There is no truth to the myth that the black neckerchief was designed as a sign of mourning for Admiral Nelson’s death.

NECKERCHIEF SQUARE KNOT - There is no historical significance to the knot other than it was a knot widely used by sailors which presented a uniform appearance.

PEA COATS
The blue seamans' coat that every officer swears is warm and comfy and every swabbie burns as soon as he leaves the Navy.

PIPING
The design on the dress blues.

STRIPES AND STARS ON JUMPER UNIFORMS - On 18 January 1876, Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce recommended a collar with stars and stripes as a substitute for the plain collar used on the frocks of seamen. Three stripes on the collar was proposed for all grades, with the stripes on the cuffs to indicate grade. One strip for E-1, etc.

TATTOOS - A tattoo of a pig on one leg of a sailor and a rooster (cock) on the other is a charm against drowning

WHITE HAT - In 1852, a white cover was added to the soft visorless blue hat. In 1866, a white sennet straw hat was authorized as an additional item. During the 1880’s the white "sailors hat" appeared as a low rolled brim high-doomed item made of wedge shaped pieces of canvas to replace the straw hat. The canvas was eventually replaced by cotton as a cheaper more comfortable material. Many complaints on quality and construction led to modifications ending in the currently used white hat