Table of Contents
The flap is to keep the grease that sailors put in their hair from getting on their uniform. That is, it used to be when sailors actually “sailed” on sailing ships. As gross as it sounds, sailors of old didn’t bathe much and used grease to keep their hair in place. The flap was to protect their clothes.
Why do some shirts have a flap on the back?
These extra pieces of fabric sit right where the pleat meets the yoke in the center of the back — but why? They first appeared on shirts by the menswear brand GANT in the 1960s and were named “locker loops,” because they were fashioned to keep student’s shirts wrinkle-free in Ivy League locker rooms.
Why do Navy sailors wear neckerchiefs?
Reportedly, the neckerchief made its first appearance in the 16th century and was primarily worn as a sweat rag and to protect the sailor’s neck from rubbing raw against their stiff collared shirts. The iconic Navy dress blue uniformed with a neckerchief being steamed before a uniform inspection.
Why did sailors wear bell bottoms?
The idea was that sailors who would be working on the topmost decks, who were presumably swabbing it or whatever sailors did up there back then, would want to roll their pants up to keep them from getting wet or dirty. Bell-bottoms even appeared on the sailors’ dress uniform as far back as the early 19th century.
Why do sailors have big collars?
The Neckerchief was for protection from the sun, rain, sweat etc. Ah the Good Old Cracker Jack Uniform. Those were our Dress Blue and Dress White uniforms. The flap on the back was originally detachable, it was there to protect the rest of the uniform from the grease and tars used in the long hair of the Sailors.
Why did sailors wear stripes?
Stripes were a preferred pattern in sailor’s clothes, because it was thought that if a man fell overboard that stripes, particularly bright blue or red against a white background, would show up better against the waves giving the sailor at least some chance of being rescued before he drowned.
Why does a sailor’s jumper have a flap in the back?
Q. Why does a sailor’s jumper have a flap in back? A. Jumper flaps originated as a protective cover for the uniform jacket. Sailors greased their hair to hold it in place. Showers and bathing were not frequent. Q. Why are bell bottomed trouser worn by bluejackets?
What is the flap on a sailboat uniform for?
But the Flap itself has a real reason for being. The flap is to keep the grease that sailors put in their hair from getting on their uniform. That is, it used to be when sailors actually “sailed” on sailing ships. As gross as it sounds, sailors of old didn’t bathe much and used grease to keep their hair in place.
Why are there 13 buttons on a sailor’s trousers?
An old sailor’s tale is that the buttons represent the 13 original colonies. In the early 1800s, the iconic trouser’s front flap (crotch area) or “ broadfall ” had 15 buttons before it was modified 90-years later to have just seven, allowing the manufacturer to reduce the amount of material.
What is the purpose of the neckerchief on the back of uniforms?
The Neckerchief was for protection from the sun, rain, sweat etc. Ah the Good Old Cracker Jack Uniform. Those were our Dress Blue and Dress White uniforms. The flap on the back was originally detachable, it was there to protect the rest of the uniform from the grease and tars used in the long hair of the Sailors.