Present-day Royal Navy officers uniforms and ratings have several different uniforms; some are blue, others are white.

Royal Navy Officers Uniform

Ceremonial Day Dress

This is worn only by Admirals and Vice Admirals along with members of the Royal Family and consists of a tailcoat with white facing and gold edging worn with gold shoulder boards, black and gold belt and gold laced black trousers. It is worn at parades such as Lord High Admiral's Divisions (BRNC) or at state occasions. An example of such dress is from Lord High Admiral's divisions 2009.

Blue No. 1 dress

This is the formal uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For officers it consists of a double-breasted, navy blue jacket; matching trousers; white shirt and black tie; peaked cap; and black leather shoes. It is divided into 1A (with medals and bearing arms), 1B (same as 1A, but without arms), and 1C (with medal ribbons). Female personnel may wear skirts except when carrying a sword or rifle.

Blue No. 2 dress

This mess dress is worn in the evenings for dining. 2A is the formal evening dress for ceremonial dinners; it consists of "ball dress with [a] white waistcoat (cummerbund for female officers) with miniature medals." 2B is "mess undress" for other mess functions, and is worn with either a cummerbund or black waistcoat and miniature medals. 2C, "red sea rig", is worn for informal evening wear on board ship; it consists of a white short sleeved shirt, with tropical boards, and a cummerbund.

Blue No. 3 dress

This is worn all year round for general duties; it consists of a white shirt with rank insignia on the shoulders, and appropriate headgear. For officers 3A dress includes a long-sleeved shirt and tie, while 3B includes a short-sleeved shirt without the tie.

No. 4 and No. 5 dress

These are specialist working uniforms. No. 4 is IAWD (Improved Action Working Dress) with flame retardant properties. They are worn as required for duties.

White No.1 dress

In the Tropics, officers wear on ceremonial occasions a short sleeved white tunic with an open collar; matching trousers; peaked cap; and white leather shoes.

White No.2 and No.3 dress

There are also white No. 2 and No. 3 dress which fulfil the same functions as their blue equivalents. Some white uniforms include shorts.


















Royal Navy Ratings

Blue No. 1 dress

This is the formal uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For ratings it is a traditional navy blue sailor suit. It is divided into 1A (with medals and bearing arms), 1B (same as 1A, but without arms), and 1C (with medal ribbons). Female personnel may wear skirts except when carrying a sword or rifle.

Blue No. 2 dress

This mess dress is worn in the evenings for dining. 2A is the formal evening dress for ceremonial dinners worn a white waistcoat and miniature medals." 2B is "mess undress" for other mess functions, and is worn with a cummerbund and miniature medals. 2C, "red sea rig", is worn for informal evening wear on board ship.

No. 4 and No. 5 dress

These are specialist working uniforms. No. 4 is IAWD (Improved Action Working Dress) with flame retardant properties. They are worn as required for duties.

White No.1 dress

In the Tropics this is the uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For ratings it is a white version of the traditional sailor's suit.

White No.2 and No.3 dress

There are also white No. 2 and No. 3 dress which fulfil the same functions as their blue equivalents. Some white uniforms include shorts.

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