About types of sailor uniforms
The sailor uniform is one of the most distinctive clothing for naval soldiers. Although the navy uniforms of various countries in the world are different, they are generally similar in style, forming an "international popular model". In particular, the sailor uniform has basically formed an internationally used style, usually in white or blue, with a pullover top and a shawl. There are several white lines on the blue shawl and cuffs; the trousers are open on the side and have a wide cuff. This "paradigm" is derived from years of practice at sea. Sailors often move in and out of narrow cabins and require neat and convenient clothing, so their tops are generally pullover-style. The pullover jacket is tucked into the waistband of the trousers to prevent clothes from getting caught when going up and down the gangway or entering and exiting the hatch. It is inevitable that some people will vomit when sailing in the ocean. In order to prevent the collar from irritating the throat and reduce vomiting, the tops of sailor uniforms are collarless. The side openings of the trousers were made during the sailing era for convenience when climbing the mast. There are three main considerations for the enlarged cuff of the trousers. First, it can cover the boots to prevent water from splashing in; second, it is easy to scratch when washing the deck; third, it can be quickly taken off when going to the sea to rescue people. Tighten the cuffs of the trousers that are taken off and fill them with air for emergency purposes. Floating air bag. The shawl on the top was used as a "shoulder pad" in the past, but now it has no greater use value besides being beautiful. Regarding the origin of shawls, there is a theory that it is popular for men to have long hair in ancient times, and sailors like to comb their long hair into braids in order to adapt to life at sea. Unexpectedly, the shiny braids often stained sailors' clothes, so they put a square towel on their shoulders to keep them clean. Later, it gradually evolved into an integral part of the sailor's jacket style. Nowadays, the underwear worn by sailors from various countries is usually a white and blue striped shirt, commonly known as a navy shirt or a sea soul shirt. The meaning of the sea soul shirt is the vast sea and blue sky. The sailors look more energetic when wearing the sea soul shirt.
The sailor uniform of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has gone through many changes. In the early 1950s, the style of sailor uniforms was as follows: summer uniforms were white on top and blue on the bottom, with shawls, ribbons, and badges; winter uniforms were all blue. The shawl and cuffs of summer clothes are blue with three white lines on each. This kind of design is said to be based on the Soviet Navy, and the other is that the Navy once had three fleets: the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. The three white lines represent the three fleets, and also mean that the People's Navy is responsible for guarding the three territorial waters. Task. As for the Bohai Sea, one theory is that it was not clearly separated from the Yellow Sea at that time; another theory is that the Soviet army was stationed in Lushun at that time, and the defense of the Bohai Sea relied heavily on them. It was not until around the time the military rank system was implemented in 1955 (the same year that the Soviet army handed over the defense of Lushun and withdrew from Lushun) that the Navy added a white line to the shawl and cuffs of the sailor uniform, turning it into four white lines, and gave it the title of "People's Navy" The meaning of shouldering the glorious mission of protecting the motherland’s four territorial waters of Bohai, Yellow, East and South”. At this time, the sailors' uniforms were all blue from top to bottom, and the badges were changed from wearing badges to epaulettes. In June 1965, the navy's sailor uniforms were cancelled, and sailors wore gray uniforms. In May 1974, the Navy resumed its distinctive sailor uniforms. After decades of development and changes, the sailor uniforms of the People's Navy have become more beautiful and chic.
White or blue and white top, brimmed hat with two black ribbons behind the hat, blue and baggy trousers. How did the sailors’ distinctive and distinctive clothing come about?
Sailors have been around since ancient times. As long as there are sailors, they will naturally have sailor uniforms. However, before the mid-18th century, the uniforms of sailors in various countries around the world were different. Even in the same country, sailor uniforms in different places are not uniform. The British navy was the most powerful at that time. In 1747, King George II of the United Kingdom inspected the navy and believed that non-uniform clothing hindered the majesty of the Royal Navy, so he ordered the development of uniform sailor uniforms.
The Minister of the Royal Navy extensively solicited opinions from all walks of life, and many people believed that navy uniforms should be composed of blue and white. Because blue is like the ocean where sailors live together day and night, and the vast sky, while white symbolizes the pure soul of soldiers. The sailor uniforms designed under this guiding ideology satisfied George II very much. So he ordered all the officers and soldiers of the Royal Navy to wear white tops and blue bottoms to show their appearance and conduct.
In 1817, the U.S. Navy Department first followed the British style and issued an order to unify sailor uniforms.
Since then, the uniforms of navies in various countries have gradually adopted the color of white on top and blue on the bottom, and the styles have become more consistent.
Sailors from all over the world almost have ribbons on their toques, but some are very short, such as those in Japan; some are very long, such as those in Russia. Only a few countries have navy sailor hats without ribbons.
Why are there two streamers on the sailor’s hat?
Some people say that this is to measure the wind direction at any time. Two streamers on the sailor's hat can be used as a wind vane. However, this statement is not accurate. In fact, the ribbon on the sailor's hat is related to British Admiral Nelson.
In 1805, France united with Spain, and Emperor Napoleon personally led a huge fleet to launch a large-scale attack on Britain. Facing a powerful enemy, Nelson, the famous British naval commander, was not afraid. On October 20, he led a fleet, divided into two columns, and launched a decisive battle with the French and Spanish enemies at sea near Cape Trafalgar. . Under Nelson's brave and flexible command, the British Navy annihilated 15 enemy ships in one fell swoop, saving the British Isles from attack and greatly consolidating Britain's dominance at sea. This victory also made Nelson a famous hero. However, Nelson suffered a serious chest injury in this fierce battle and died for his country.
In order to mourn Nelson, the British decided that during the mourning period, all sailors' hats should be decorated with two black cloth ribbons to express condolences. Unexpectedly, after being decorated, people found that the streamers made the sailors more elegant, so they were no longer removed after the mourning period, and they were kept as special decorations.
Sailor pants are more like women’s pants than men’s pants. Look at it: there is no opening in the front crotch, the slits on both sides of the waist are connected by buttons, and the trouser legs are particularly fat. Its origin is also interesting.
At midnight one day in 1713, the British Navy warship "Sea Wolf" was ordered to set sail urgently and sail out of the Port of Edinburgh to perform its mission. Unexpectedly, not long after they went to sea, they were attacked by enemy ships. The ship sank, and the 33 officers and soldiers on board jumped into the water to escape. Incredibly, only one sailor was rescued in the end. He was John Carr, the worst swimmer. All the rest were killed.
Afterwards, relevant departments launched an investigation. According to John Carr's own account, his life was saved by a pair of women's pants he accidentally put on while busy. It turned out that that night, 23-year-old John Carr spent the night at his home near the military port. In the middle of the night, I heard the emergency sailing bell. In my panic, I didn't have time to take a closer look, so I put on a pair of my wife's trousers. When the warship sank, he jumped into the sea with everyone. Fortunately, once in the water, the pants actually stayed on and fell off, and the pants legs were filled with air. John Carr immediately grabbed the bulging pants and was able to float on the sea for 17 hours until he was rescued.
The relevant departments of the Navy are very interested in the adventure of John Carr. After analysis and testing, it was found that women's trousers have slits on both sides and are connected with buttons, so they can easily fall off in the water, while the fat trouser legs can quickly fill with air when they fall vertically into the water. Not only that, sailors often have to wash the deck, and the large trousers can be rolled up easily above the knees, so that the trousers will not get wet when working.