The prescribed headgear is a white combination cap, although a navy blue garrison cap is optional in some situations when the jacket is not worn, unless stated otherwise by the prescribing authority. Rank insignia are gold sleeve stripes for commissioned officers, while rating badges and service stripes are worn on the left sleeve by chief petty officers (CPOs). The men's jacket is double-breasted with six gold-colored buttons, and the women's jacket single breasted with a single row of four gold-colored buttons. The material is generally wool or a wool blend, depending on the vendor. The Service Dress Blue (SDB) uniform consists of a dark navy blue suit coat and trousers (or optional skirt for women) that are nearly black in color, a white shirt, and a black four-in-hand necktie for men or a neck tab for women. Navy officer in Service Dress Blue uniform (2012)

Officers and chief petty officers Service Dress Blue An officer inspects enlisted sailors in Service Dress Blue (2008) A female U.S.

An all-weather overcoat or reefer coat may be worn with service dress uniforms in cold or inclement weather. Ribbons are worn over the left breast pocket in all variations of the service dress uniform. Service Dress Blue may be worn year-round, while Service Dress White is reserved for summer or tropical zones. The civilian equivalent is a business suit. They are also commonly worn when traveling in official capacity, or when reporting to a command.

Service dress uniforms are worn for official functions not rising to the level of full or dinner dress. The United States Navy has three categories of dress uniforms, from least to most formal: service, full, and dinner dress.

Us navy uniforms during the civil war