Uniforms of the Royal Air Force featured a high waisted single-breasted blue-grey jacket which tapered to a point at the front below the waist. A blue-grey waistcoat, trousers and black shoes were also worn. Rank was indicated on shoulder boards in gold lace. This uniform was modified in 1928 when the shoes were replaced by boots and overalls with gold lace and bright blue stripes were introduced. This modified form of the uniform lasted until 1934 when it was replaced by a version similar to the current men's mess dress. The wearing of mess dress was suspended during World War II. For women, mess dress currently
British Army mess dress NCOs is the same, only the lines of gold piping on jacket and waistcoat are thinner, it features gold shoulder straps rather than shoulder cords, and rank stripes are worn on the upper right arm. The mess jacket as worn by female NCOs is the same as that worn by male NCOs but does not feature shoulder straps. A royal blue mess jacket with a purple shawl collar featuring the departmental badge on either lapel, purple cuffs, and royal blue shoulder straps. A purple cummerbund, black clerical shirt, and white clerical collar are also worn. For officers, a royal blue