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The United States Navy is the only branch of the United States Armed Forces that wears a white uniform. The other branches of the Armed Forces wear green and sandy tan to blend in with their environment during combat, so it’s only reasonable that people would wonder why U.S. Navy wears white.
Sailors wear white because it improves visibility, it was the first color worn by sailors, it symbolizes the integration of the seven seas, and it helps sailors keep cool under the summer heat. However, white is not the only standard uniform of the navy.
The color of Navy uniforms does serve a purpose, but there isn’t only utilitarian reasoning behind it. Read on to learn why sailors wear white.
The Reasons Why Sailors Wear White
Although white is not the only color worn by the navy, there are several reasons for sailors to wear white.
Visibility
In direct contrast to the army, who wears a uniform that blends them into their surroundings, sailors need to be seen. If a sailor falls overboard in the dark or if there’s an electrical power failure, being able to identify other sailors can save lives. White uniforms help greatly during a Search and Rescue.
Sailors Have Always Worn White For a Long Time
The color white became a tradition for sailors once cotton became a widely used material for making clothes. The process of dying white clothes came in much later, and the Navy is one of the oldest professions in the world.
One of the reasons why the Navy’s dress and summer uniforms are white is simply because of tradition.
Symbolic of the Seven Seas
Seven colors need to be blended to create white: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. The Navy aligns these colors with the seven seas and wears white to indicate their integration.
This symbolism works well with part of what the navy is all about: war fighting on seas all across the world.
Reflects the Heat
Dark-colored clothes such as black or dark blue absorb and attract the sun. A dark object will absorb all wavelengths of light, converting them to heat.
Sailors work long hours under the scorching sun, so it’s easy to understand why they would want to keep as fresh as possible.
Not All Navy Uniforms Are White
It is a common misconception that standard Navy uniforms are white, likely because of the association to the famous cartoon character Popeye the Sailor, who often wore a white Navy uniform.
When Popeye was first created, his standard uniform was a black dress shirt with a red collar, brown shoes, blue pants, and a sailor’s cap. But after Pearl Harbor in 1941, Popeye’s uniform changed to a white standard Navy uniform with a black kerchief. His outfit would only change again in the 1960s.
Partially because of Popeye and other media, many believe that all Navy uniforms are white. However, this isn’t the case. Some Navy Uniforms are also khaki or navy blue. Here is a list of the Navy’s non-white uniforms and their colors:
- Service dress blues for officers. This uniform is formal attire typically worn by officers and petty officers. It consists of a dark navy blue suit coat and trousers, a white shirt, a black necktie for men and a “neck tab” for women.
- Service dress blues for junior enlisted sailors. This uniform has been referred to as the “crackerjack” uniform because it is worn by the sailor on the Cracker Jack snack boxes. The uniform consists of a navy blue pullover jumper made of wool with white stripes on the collar and cuffs. The trousers have flared “bell bottoms.” Lastly, a white “Dixie cup” hat is worn.
- Full dress blues. Full dress uniforms are worn at ceremonies during retirements, a change of command, commissionings, decommissionings, weddings, funerals, and other formal occasions. They are similar in design to service dress, except medals are worn in place of ribbons above the left breast pocket.
- Dinner dress blues. Dinner dress uniforms are considered more formal than any other variation. You’ve likely seen them worn by Captain Edward John Smith (performed by Bernard Hill) in the film Titanic.
- Service khaki. Khakis were authorized in 1931 as an officer’s working uniform on ships.
- Navy service uniform. This uniform is a year-round service uniform meant for classroom and office wear. It consists of a short-sleeved khaki blouse over a white undershirt, black pants, and black shoes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sailors wear white for several reasons: tradition, symbols, and safety. It’s not the only color sailors wear, but it’s been a part of their attire for a very long time.
And of course, there’s also the simple fact that white uniforms look incredibly elegant and stylish. There’s no reason why sailors wouldn’t want to leave a stunning impression!