The Royal Navy is reportedly set to spend up to £200,000 on redesigning uniforms for female sailors, citing concerns over the placement of buttons on the ceremonial No 1 jacket. According to an internal document obtained by The Times, the current design features four rows of two buttons, with the top pair positioned at breast level, which has been deemed inappropriate for women.
Redesign at Taxpayer Expense
The internal memorandum, described as a temporary notice sent across the fleet, states that the alteration will be carried out "at the Crown's expense," meaning British taxpayers will bear the financial burden. The new design will reposition all eight buttons lower down on the jacket, moving them away from the chest area.
The No 1 jacket is a ceremonial uniform item famously worn by the Princess Royal at official events. The redesign aims to address feedback from serving personnel regarding the fit and comfort of the uniform for female officers.
Phased Implementation
A Royal Navy spokesperson commented on the initiative, saying: "The Navy is both a modern organisation which continuously adapts and is also hugely proud of our history. This change, which will be brought in over several years, addresses issues raised by serving personnel regarding the fit of female officers' jackets, and is a positive step for women in the Navy while balancing operational and financial factors."
The spokesperson also noted that the cost of the new jacket will be offset by a reduction in the number of uniforms issued, although specific details on savings were not provided. According to The Times, more than 950 serving female officers will receive the redesigned uniform within the next year.
Scope of Changes
The current uniform features four rows of two buttons, but the modified version will lower all eight buttons. Non-commissioned officers, such as petty officers and warrant officers, who have only three rows of buttons on their uniforms, are not affected by this change.
This decision comes as part of broader efforts to modernise military attire and ensure it meets the needs of all personnel, reflecting the Navy's commitment to inclusivity and adaptability.
