Navies across the globe have continued traditions that have endured for centuries, with many of their origins now forgotten. However, one such custom has a well-known explanation: the 13-button pants worn by US Navy sailors. While the design serves a practical purpose, there are several theories regarding its deeper meaning.
‘Crackerjacks’
The 13-button bellbottom pants, affectionately known as “Crackerjacks,” were introduced by the US Navy in the early 1800s with practicality in mind. The flared bottoms made it easier to roll them up during hard labor and allowed for quick removal if a sailor fell overboard, without having to remove their footwear.
The pants were made out of thick wool fabric, which got heavy when wet, but also helped prevent sailors from sinking.
There are also theories that the flared design was meant to give US sailors a distinctive appearance. Additionally, since zippers were not yet common, the buttons helped secure the crotch area, known as the “broadfall,” in place.
Why do the pants worn by US Navy sailors have 13 buttons?
As aforementioned, the broadfall section of the pants is held in place by exactly 13 buttons, and many assume that the implements were designed by the US Navy to represent America’s original 13 colonies. However, this is considered more of a sailor’s tale.
The broadfall originally had 15 buttons, but this was reduced to seven to save material. However, the sailors soon complained the section was too small. This was partly because diet changes led to weight gain, with others complaining about how uncomfortable it made their “equipment” feel.
The US Navy listened and made the broadfall bigger. With more material came the need for more buttons, resulting in six more being added, bringing the total to the 13 we see today. This number was likely chosen to maintain visual symmetry.
What about other pieces of uniform?
Other pieces of the US uniform had their uses, too. The neckerchief could be used as a headband or a cleaning cloth, and it also kept uniforms clean. Sailors in the 19th century typically sported long hair and, to keep it out of their way during tasks, it would be tied in a ponytail and stuck down with a sticky tar-like substance. The neckerchief kept it off the rest of their uniform.
Like the “13 buttons, 13 colonies” explanation for the bellbottom pants, the neckerchief also has an alternative and unlikely origin. Allegedly, the fabric is a symbol to honor Horatio Nelson, with the three white lines representing his three major victories.
More from us: Battle of Trafalgar: The Engagement That Saw the Heroic Death of Vice Adm. Horatio Nelson
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Today, this style of uniform is for dress purposes, rather than actual work, and these unique features were retained to maintain traditions.
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