WHY ARE SAILOR SUITS MADE THE WAY THEY ARE?
THE LARGE BELL-BOTTOMED TROUSERS WERE DESIGNED TO MAKE IT EASY FOR A SAILOR TO ROLL UP HIS PANTS WHEN SWABBING THE DECK. THEY ALSO MADE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO SLIP OUT OF A WET UNIFORM IF HE FINDS HIMSELF IN THE WATER.
THE CAP IS DESIGNED FOR EASY STORAGE AND TO SERVE AS A FLOTATION DEVICE. IT IS MADE OF CANVAS AND IS ALMOST AIRTIGHT WHEN SOAKING WET. WHEN THE CAP IS THOROUGHLY WET AND THE BRIM IS TURNED DOWN, IT CAN BE USED TO CAPTURE AN AIR BUBBLE AND KEEP THE SAILOR AFLOAT.
SOME SAY THE LARGE FLAT COLLAR THAT LIES ACROSS THE BACK OF THE UNIFORM WAS TO PROTECT THE MAIN PART OF THE UNIFORM FROM THE TAR AND POWDER THAT EARLY SAILORS USED TO PUT ON THEIR PIGTAILS.
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