Navy officials are on the cusp of approving new uniforms and tweaking old ones to expand sailors’ options and modernize their sea bag — changes that will start appearing as soon as a year from now.
These moves are likely to prove lower-profile than the trial of female sailors wearing the iconic “Dixie cups” and blue “crackerjacks,” but they include popular options that everyone could be wearing out in town soon.
Here’s the four uniform updates in the works:
• Warm-up suit. High-performance outerwear worn by Marines could be quickly adapted for the Navy.
• Cold-weather parka. Officials want to adopt a Coast Guard 3-in-1 jacket that would keep sailors warm in cold climates.
• Women’s ‘chokers.’ Summer whites collars for women are getting retooled to look like men’s.
• Lightweight working uniforms. Sailors are testing two types of the Navy working uniform, designed to be lighter and more breathable for tropical environments.
Warm-up suit
The seven-year search for a high-performance jogging suit is zeroing in on a new design worn by Marines and Naval Academy midshipmen.
It’s a moisture-wicking running suit that sports reflective trim along the zipper, pockets and chest for high-visibility. The suit would offer more warmth and exposure protection than a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, but less than the Navy blue sweatpants and sweatshirt, and it is likely that it could be worn with civilian clothes, much like command ball caps.
