Brylcreem, Liberty Cuffs, & Tattoos: Navy Sailor Personal Style in the 1940s-50s (History + Photos)
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- Опубліковано 19 лип 2023
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The evolution of Navy Sailor uniforms over the decades tells a vivid story, not just of military regulations, but also of the individuals wearing them. Far from being mere garments, these uniforms subtly served as a canvas for personal expression, reflecting the wearers' identities. This rich interplay between uniformity and individuality was particularly evident in the 1940s and 1950s, where the rigidity of naval regulations and the desire for personal style intriguingly blended, shaping the uniforms' history in profound ways.
Then, as now, there were two primary variations of the uniform. The Service Dress Blues, the Navy's dark uniforms, exuded formality and respect, commonly donned for both military and civilian engagements where the equivalent civilian attire would be a suit and tie. On the other hand, the white uniforms, characterized by their lightness, were more appropriate for summer months and tropical settings, conveying an air of relaxed diligence.
Even within the confines of these regulation uniforms, sailors in the 1940s and 1950s discovered avenues to showcase their personal flair. There were numerous subtle yet impactful ways sailors modified their uniforms to reflect their style.
Personal grooming and headwear often provided a unique platform for sailors to express their individual style. A popular trend among sailors in the 1940s and 1950s was the use of pomaded hairstyles, typically achieved with widely-used grooming products of the time, such as Brylcreem. This petroleum-based hairdressing cream not only helped sailors maintain a neat appearance compliant with regulations but also allowed them to assert personal style, often reflecting their boldness. Complementing these carefully styled coiffures was the quintessential 'Dixie cup' white hat-an essential part of the Navy uniform. Far from being a mere piece of regulation attire, sailors would don these hats with a personalized tilt, either to the left or right, or worn squarely atop the head. The positioning of the hat added an additional dimension of individual expression, subtly yet strikingly reflecting the wearer's personality.
One distinct example of personal style expression came in the form of the black silk neckerchief, an item of dress that could be nuanced with the wearer's touch. Sailors would painstakingly roll their neckerchiefs to achieve the perfect thickness and tightness, each aiming for a level of precision that not only met naval regulations but also showcased their meticulousness and commitment to detail. This process of careful folding and rolling could be learned but was seldom perfected without considerable patience and practice. Some sailors went a step further, starching the neckerchief to maintain its shape and present a crisp appearance. The subtle variance in how each neckerchief sat against the sailor's uniform told its own silent story of the individual's approach to their naval duties, infusing a personal touch within the bounds of uniformity.
Another aspect of personal style expression was found in subtle uniform alterations. Despite the overarching strictness of Navy regulations, there was a small leeway that allowed sailors to adjust their uniforms, especially the trousers, for a better fit. Such modifications were typically done with discretion to avoid flouting the rules while still offering a more personalized and comfortable fit. This often resulted in trousers that subtly complemented the sailor's physique, contributing to a more tailored look. The practice spoke to a desire for individuality, even within the rigid constraints of uniform regulations, illustrating a fine balance between personal style and collective identity.
Outerwear provided yet another canvas for individual expression. The classic pea coat, a mainstay of the Navy uniform, often saw the addition of personal touches. While the standard-issue coat came with regular buttons, some sailors would replace them with brass or custom ones. These buttons, adorned with intricate designs or personal insignia, added a dash of personal style to the otherwise standard Navy attire. Despite being a departure from regulation, these small personal touches were often overlooked, as they did not significantly alter the overall appearance of the uniform. In a way, these buttons were like tiny badges of honor, each telling a tale of the sailor's experiences, preferences, and even a hint of rebellion.
[...more in the video!]
This was an intersting video. My father was in the Navy in thw 1940s and was proud of his service. He had an older brother who was also a sailor. I have a picture od him and my mother when they were married in 1945 ,World War II was still going on so they had a brief honeymoon. One Halloween , I wore my father;s dress blues and won a prize in a parade. I also used to wear his peacoat and it was very warm in the winter. That was also where he got his training in what became hsr career. If I had went into the service, it probably would have been the Navy. He was later stationed in the Panama Canel Zone mwhere he spent his early married years with my mother. My uncle had an anchor tattooed on the back of his right hand.
Thank you for these comments! I got a huge smile thinking about you in your sailor uniform winning the prize, now there's something your dad and that uniform couldn't have anticipated back in the 1940s. That's pretty nifty your parents spent time at the Canal Zone. I did a video on life at one of the military bases there if you want to check it out, with photos. Men who served there have left some interesting comments with memories of life there. Late congrats on that costume prize 🏆!!👍⚓
US Navy 1962-1984. As an enlisted sailor in my dress blues, I had the liberty cuffs, zipper up the side on my jumper, and had my 13-button pants legs pegged....sharp uniform. When making CPO, I thought the dress khakis were the sharpest-looking uniform. CWO4 USN Ret.
Hey thanks for this comment and memories, that uniform must have looked super sharp with all those features! Your service is appreciated, sir. ✌️✌️⚓🇺🇸
I also double-rolled my neckerchief.
@@808spelunk I was a ShipsServiceman at the time (Barber) and we had sharp uniforms. We even wore starched and pressed dungarees. Later, when I converted to ET, I still wore starched and pressed dungarees.
@wfwillis Very cool, I hope you've got some portrait shots capturing it. Any thoughts on the new Navy uniforms? Kind of the opposite of sharp, right? Let's bring back those iconic classics from when you served.
@@808spelunk I have several videos of my Navy service on my WF Willis channel. The old dress blues jumper and 13-button bell bottom pants are the sharpest uniform for E-1 thru E-6, and dress Khakis for CPOs and officers. The Chambray blue shirt and Seafarer dungaree pants were the sharpest for a work uniform for E-1 thru E-6. This new blue camouflage uniform they have now looks like crap.
🏴🇬🇧 another great trip down memory lane. A maturnal uncle told me as a kid to always have a penny (🏴🇬🇧 coin) in your wallet and you'll never be broke, now him telling me that at 5/6 year old made no sense ar all as a penny would have bought me sweets (candy) for many days 😂 Uncle Richard (Dick) was in the merchant navy as he was too young to have served in the fighting navy of WW11. To a young kid he was my hero always travelling to exotic ports as a merchantman sailor. Cheers DougT
Great story 👏. He's still my hero! What a life to have lived, I wish I could have experienced and have seen what he did. ⚓👍
I served in the Marine Corps but I always loved navy uniforms. Many people don’t know this, but the Marine Corps is not an independent branch. It is a branch in the department of the Navy. Serving in the infantry, we always had a Navy medic with us and our hospitals. We’re always run by the Navy.
They're really the best looking uniforms. Yeah also surprising is the Navy has its own aircraft, not on most people's radar. There may be a better way of referring to that division though I'm sure you'd know. Occasionally I'll even spot photos of Navy dirigibles in old photo sets. Would love to learn more about them.
@@808spelunk I don’t know I don’t think you can beat Marine Corps Dress Blues
Embroidery was banned in 1897,not 1910 like this guy says.He's making things up as he goes along
I'm an old Air Force guy. Can anyone who was in the Navy tell me how in the world you got the cap to stay on when it was SO FAR BACK on your head? I mean, how did it not fall off?
I'd like to know too! It's come up a few times on my vids but haven't received a detailed explanation yet.
@@808spelunk We need seamen to come to the rescue! (snicker)
@@808spelunk Okay, the mystery of how the hat could rest on the back of the skull has been answered. There's a UA-cam channel called Master Chief's Sea Chest, and in the video titled, "The Sailor's White Hat," this retired Master Chief explains that inside the hat was a looped tag (much like you might find on the inside back of some civilian shirts.) The loop was used to send a line through it, so that the hat could be hung from the side of the ship to be whitened by seawater and also to hang the hat out to dry afterwards. But sailors also used the loop WITH A BOBBY PIN THROUGH IT to hold the hat on the back of the head. The other interesting thing he said was that the white caps were often seen to have points on the left and right side of the head because of the flattened and rolled up method sailors employed when stowing their hats in their back pockets when the hats weren't being worn. Trivial though this may seem to some, I was glad to get insight into this mystery.
Whoa! That's crazy. I never knew this until today and get the question all the time. Thank you so much! I'll be sure to check out the video. 👍👍⚓⚓
bobby pins
In the 1950s I remember the car trips and the Bryllcreem and Burma-shave signs on the side of roads. I cannot recall the wording now (I am 77) but that what archives and google is for! But, I must stress that for those of us who grew up in the 1950s in the US the times were great. Very good work ethics were extremely high, one could leave keys in doors of houses and cars and not be concerned, and best of all NO CELL PHONES. Cities were clean, and people were very friendly. Sorry that you younger people missed those times. The cars were great and gasoline was inexpensive (25 cents/gal was common) and well, I am very happy I grew up in the 1950s. Cities were safe, etc. I do know one can find utubes on the 1950s. To live during that times was the best.
Thank you so much for these memories, it feels like time travel reading them. I wish I could have experienced life back then because as I'm sure you can guess I am personally enamored with the culture and style of the period. Life just seems so much better back then in terms of overall quality and authenticity. I wish I could have seen it, thanks for helping me vicariously get there. 👍🙏
Yes, people could leave their houses unlocked and go shopping. A young girl, if she was so inclined, could walk down the street to a friend's house at night without having to worry about being kidnapped, raped and thrown in a ditch. No illegal drugs. You didn't have to chain your bike to a tree in the yard.
What a society we live in today. A shell of what was.
One chief petty officer on my ship had a set of khakis custom made in the Philippines. The color was not quite a true khaki but more of an insipid off-green. The uniform certainly stood out, but was not up to Navy standards. Probably more suitable for a boy scout.
Nice try khaki guy, haha great story.