Hats off on tricorne issue

As a connoisseur of naval customs and something of an authority on naval uniform, I’m dismayed by the prospect of replacing the tricorne.

It could be said that if there’s one object that symbolises the contribution of women to the Navy it’s the tricorne, and has been since women were first permitted to join the naval service. In fact, the lineage of the tricorne can be traced much further back than that of the peaked cap.

When the prospect of female membership first arose it was felt that the peaked cap worn by men was not compatible with the expectations of the time of what was appropriate for women’s clothing, but rather than pull a new design out of thin air, the-powers-that-be quite rightly investigated naval precedent for an alternative concept.

What they came up with was the design worn to this day, based on the tricorne worn by officers in the 17th and 18th centuries (even predating uniform regulations by some time), but made comparable to the peaked cap.

I’m by no means against change in principle (all traditions have to start somewhere) but I believe that a tradition should only be abandoned if the supplanting concept is an improvement. Not just as good, but better.

Such a judgement must be the product of the harshest degree of rationality and objectivity, and should not be determined by superficial personal preferences or short-term fashion considerations.

If such change does occur, it will, for however long it lasts, be a part of history, and will probably be around a substantial length of time regardless of popularity.

This having been said, the only logical alternative to the tricorne is therefore to follow the example of the Pakistan Navy (not to mention the RAN’s khaki sibling) and expand the custom of the wearing of the peaked cap to both men and women (perhaps with some minor differences), which would also be in accordance with the increasing trend towards greater uniformity between the dress of men and women.

The other alternatives, some of which were included in the recent survey, lack the formality, tradition and the distinctively naval style that makes the tricorne such a recognisable part of naval attire, and, to my mind, a number of them, such as the USN and police styles, look rather ‘dainty’ in that mother-of-the-bride sort of way.

Is even considering an alternative design necessary? If the cost of obtaining them from the UK is unreasonable, can’t a local manufacturer be contracted to produce them at a reasonable price, or are there other motives behind the proposal?

Mr. J. Prowd
prowd.j@impulse.net.au

Official reply from Manager-Navy uniforms

Manager - Navy Uniforms Mr John Gill has responded to Mr Prowd’s letter:

A search through the 1995 Hobbs Report (An historical analysis of RN Clothing), provided that the RN started using a tricorne hat for female senior sailors and officers in 1918, and that the present style was introduced in 1940, with a further move to a plastic cap cover occuring in 1957.

Essentially, there have been a number of changes to the RN female headwear that the RAN have similarly embraced.

A recent display of WRANs uniforms at HMAS Harman, as part of the unveiling of the WRANS Commemorative Plaque onboard, provided evidence of a number of different hat styles that have been worn by our females since formation of the WRANS, and these items are on display at various Navy museums and historical sections around the country.

Whether or not the proposed change is an improvement will be determined through the process of objective assessment, which is why the trial is being considered.

To this point in time, reports on the initial prototypes (four people have been provided prototypes) are that they fit better, are less prone to being blown off in the wind, and have the ability to carry ‘scrambled egg’ to identify senior officers in the same way as that enjoyed by their male counterparts.

There were still some design concerns with regard to crush and subsequent deformity.

A further change to the manufacturing process has been requested, and it is now intended to undertake a trial of a further twenty hats in the new year.

The question of whether we should just issue peaked caps to females is also to be considered as part of the review.

The intitial feedback, however, when comparative tests were conducted in the Navy Headquarters, was that the male version cap does not present a good option on smaller framed females
(this can also be said for some smaller framed males), primarily because of the effect the contrast colours of black and white have.

The Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Airforce both have females wearing the traditional male peaked hat (albeit the RAAF retain the female version as optional wear on non-ceremonial occasions), but do not suffer the same disadvantage of contrast colours.

Prototypes of the Army style of peaked cap were made in Navy’s colours (to see how the smaller crown would look), but the contrast and therefore visual impact was still significant.

Whilst the Pakistan Navy may have opted for the peaked cap version, the RN, RNZN, United States Navy and the Canadian Forces still maintain a female version of headdress.

The Manager - Navy Uniforms initiated this review as a result of the English manufacturer going into liquidation and the subsequent high in-country purchase price.

It is anticipated that an alternative to the existing tricorne would provide some price reduction, because some of the manufacturing processes evident in the current style would not be required in the alternative.

It is intended that a comprehensive trial of any alternative to the existing tricorne would be undertaken, before presenting the outcomes of the trial (including user and observer feedback) to Deputy Chief of Navy for further consideration, and Chief of Navy for ultimate determination.

It should be noted that both DCN and CN pay particular attention to uniform matters, and no decision would be made without full consideration of all aspects, including tradition, in accordance with ABR 81 paragraph 902.

John Gill
Manager Navy Uniforms

 

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