Navy Uniform

We were told (1950s) the bell bottoms were to ease rolling up the trousers to keep the bottoms dry while deck swabing[scrubbing]
We received the first new white "shirts" in the late 50s.
~Geezer

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Originally Posted by Morty

snip The practical reason for the bell bottom dungaree pants was supposedly to make it easier for you to remove your boots once you're in the water should you fall overboard or have to abandon ship (surface ship).
I'll never give up my Crackerjacks.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

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The idea of making it easier to roll up the legs or remove boots does sound more likely, as I would think the flaired legs would actually make it harder not easier, to tie them together.

Here is an interesting website by the Navy Department Library which goes into detail concerning the various changes in the Navy uniform between 1776 and 1981. It should clear up a lot of the urban legend type of misinformation on this subject.

Regards - Walt

Wow! What a fantastic resource. As a history buff, I thank you for this wonderful find.

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Originally Posted by leadduck

I don't think the intent (from what I heard) would be to inflate the legs before leaving the sub, but to remove the pants on the surface and inflate them there. This is a standard technique taught in Red Cross and YMCA lifesaving courses. It would be used if one found himself in the water without a PFD.

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The issue was why Navy uniforms had bell bottom trousers. Bell bottoms do not make it any easier -- or harder -- to tie off the cuffs to make a temporary PFD so PFD use isn't related to bell bottoms. Namaste, Morty -_-

For whatever reason, "Dickies" still made the patch pocket dungarees till recently if they have not continued. They were a special order item.I were in the Navy five years.
~Richard

One of my favorite articles of clothing that we wore when I was in 65 to 68, was the blue working jacket. It was a light windbreaker jacket that was very warm for its weight and very comfortable.

The Dickie Company makes dungarees and chambrey shirts that are close to the items we wore as a working uniform. They are available at stores like Wal Mart and K Mart.

We were issued a Olive Drab Jacket, Model N-1 for use on shipboard. It was pile lined and very worm. It was called a Deck Jacket. You had to turn them in upon leaving your ship or duty station. It was considered part of what the Navy called Foul Weather Gear.

The most hated article of clothing issued was the raincoat. It was worthless. You could go to the PX and buy a can of scotchguard and it helped but as issued it was worthless in a downpour.

Whatever changes the Navy makes, I am glad that when I was there a Sailor looked like a sailor and we had .45s instead of 9MMs. (That is a whole other can of worms.

Anchors Aweigh

I still have my Cracker jacks as well (it's been over 25 years since I wore 'em, and probably 15 years since I could have fit into them again ;) )

On my ship, the Dixie cup was the proper cover even when in dungarees. I loved my dungs. When the pants had been laundered a couple of times, they were about the most comfortable things you could wear. And that shade of blue they had before they started to fade to white still makes me nostalgic for my youth.

I hear the white Cracker Jacks will be updated with navy piping on the collar-flap and cuffs. I actually think that's long overdue. I wish they'd done that while I was in.

The Ice Cream man uniform was always the stupidest. I never wore it if I didn't have to.

joe, you sound like you were in when i was, and i have to agree, with you on the dungarees. hated the chuckas myself, bought jump boots to wear. the crackerjack uniform is what the navy should always wear, end of story. the way i saw it, the other branches uniforms were all closely similar, each branch had their own styling, and differences, but the coat and trousers were the same style, the crackerjack was one of a kind. and the only uniform you could modify for ease of opening during liberty

Active duty Army here, and man do I agree with the consensus....as stated earlier, I understand the reasons for individual uniforms for each branch, however, I think it has gotten out of hand. I miss my BDUs and as an NCO, I'm seeing some sideline drawbacks to the changes. Soldiers are losing traditions and discipline building tools such as uniform care (read: boot shining, pressing, etc.). High five to the Navy guys, your P-coat is THE best garmet I have ever owned! Never a cold night cruising through Fort Wainwright, AK.