Royal Navy forced to redesign women's uniform due to 'inappropriate' buttons

The Royal Navy is set to spend £200,000 replacing ceremonial uniforms for female officers over concerns that decorative buttons sit at an "inappropriately-placed" position.

An internal document has revealed that the traditional No1 jacket will be swapped for a redesigned version featuring all eight buttons -a little lower than chest-height.

British taxpayers will foot the bill, with the costs described as being covered "at the Crown's expense."

The timing has raised eyebrows across the service, given that military leaders are currently scrambling to identify savings amid a £28billion shortfall in defence funding over the next four years.

More than 950 serving female officers will receive the updated jackets, The Times revealed, with Royal Fleet Auxiliary officers also included in the programme.

The redesigned uniform will be distributed in two phases, beginning in September and then from next February.

The No1 jackets are worn during formal occasions like flag officer inspections, official visits and funerals.

At present, they feature four rows of two buttons, with the uppermost pair sitting at what has been deemed an unfortunate height.

Lower-ranking personnel like petty officers, chief petty officers and warrant officers will not be affected by the change, as their uniforms feature only three rows of buttons rather than four.

A number of female sailors are said to be furious about the decision - particularly those who have personally purchased their uniforms at considerable expense.

One Navy source described the move as ridiculous given the state of the Armed Forces.

"It's clearly absurd for the Royal Navy to be frittering away money on such a minor change to this uniform," they told The Times.

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The insider noted that whilst the button placement had long been something of a running joke within the service, the Navy is instead focused on pushing to be ready for war.

"Surely the obvious answer would have been to simply cut off the offensive nipple buttons on the existing uniforms?" the source questioned.

The design dates back decades, with members of the Women's Royal Naval Service wearing identical uniforms during World War Two.

Princess Anne, who holds the rank of admiral, has been photographed in the No1 uniform on numerous ceremonial occasions throughout her naval career.

The Princess Royal was appointed rear admiral in 1993, subsequently rising to vice admiral in 2009 before achieving her current rank three years later.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Navy said: “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 cost of the new jacket will be offset by a reduction in the number of uniforms issued.”

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