The normal duty uniform for Canadian Navy officers consisted of a black double breasted "Undress Coat" with 8 gilt buttons, worn with a white shirt and black tie. Rank insignia was worn on the cuff and CANADA titles in gold wire or embroidery were worn at the top of the sleeves. The jacket was made of a superfine wool cloth such as doeskin or melton. It had a single pocket on the left breast and two flapless waist pockets.
In tropical or hot climates either a white jacket and trousers or a white shirt and shorts were worn. For certain duties, Naval Pattern battledress was also worn, as well as Army Battledress. Rank insignia on tropical and battledress uniforms was worn on shoulderboards.
Greatcoats, Boat Cloaks, and Duffle Coats were worn in cold or wet weather.
Officers of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve wore uniforms identical in cut to those of the Regular Navy. The only distinguishing features of Reserve officers being the style of rank insignia.
"Blue cloth with padded turn down collar; the length to be sufficient to cover the hips; double breasted, with five holes and buttons at equal distance on each side, to button four. Pockets, without flaps at the sides, in a line with the lower button, and one outside left breast pocket. An opening 5 inches long at the bottom of each side seam."
A Royal Canadian Navy Lieutenant's undress coat. His status as a Regular Officer is indicated by the straight cuff rank stripes. Medal ribbons worn are The 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star with rosette indicating the France And Germany Bar, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal.
This Reserve Lieutenant's status is indicated by the wavy rank stripes and rectangular curl.
The intertwined stripes and Star Of David pattern curl is the identifying feature of this Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Lieutenant's undress coat.
"Blue cloth, double breasted with turn down collar; cut for six buttons, but to have five buttons on each breast, to button four buttons; the width of lappel to be 3 inches at fourth button, tapering to 2 1/2 inches at waist seam; two buttons at the hips, with side edges in plait of skirt extending half-way down the skirt, with a button at bottom of each side edge; for Officers 5 feet 9 inches in height, length of coat 38 inches, with a proportionate variation for difference in height. Lining black silk. Hook for sword belt."
Warrant Officer's Frock Coat circa 1920. This coat was worn either with a wing collar as illustrated or a plain collar at the officer's discression. Note the 1/4 inch gold lace on the cuffs indicating the rank of Warrant Officer.
A medium length black wool cape known as a Boat Cloak was worn in wet weather when ashore, or in the evening when travelling to or from parties or official functions. It was lined with linen and had either one or two pockets on the inside.
A 10 button front double breasted wool greatcoat was worn in winter months. Rank insignia was worn on detachable epaulettes. The style and cut of the greatcoat remained essentially unchanged from the First World War up to Unification.
Closeup detail of the epaulette on this Commander's greatcoat. Note the wire embroidered Canada title.