Bob Hudson Posted December 10, 2010 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2010 From the Department of You Learn Something New Everyday, here's an official US Navy tiara: I came across this the other day while negotiating to buy part of a Navy nurse's grouping (which did not happen). I had no idea what this piece was but I took a photo and tonight found out: It's an optional item for wear with Former and Dinner dress uniforms. I looked all over the web and could not find any for sale, not even at Marlow White, so I wonder where a female officer would buy one of these if there are even any officers these days who'd wear one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchInfid3l Posted December 10, 2010 Share #2 Posted December 10, 2010 I've never seen one before, though I did find some photos of a few being worn.I remember seeing more of a wire/sparkley one being worn with a female mess dress but I forget where the image is, I found that interesting, but since these are more of a headgear type it's definitely peaked my interest.Always nice to see and learn new things!Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 10, 2010 Share #3 Posted December 10, 2010 I've only seen tiaras in wear a couple of times...my first time was a female flag officer...and THAT was an impressive tiara! One of the Ensigns I once worked with went out and bought one new...I think it was around $100 IIRC...she had to special order it from the uniform shop. Yes, people did poke fun at her for wearing it, but that was part of the reason she bought it (kind of a rebel anyway...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted December 10, 2010 Share #4 Posted December 10, 2010 Oh come on Dave.....you know you wanted one too! I am sure that you would have looked FABULOUS sporting one of these little beauties..... :pinch: :whistling: Talk about a don't want to know.....DIDN'T ask. :naughty: On a serious note, I learned something new today.......I had NO idea that any branch of our military had authorized a tiara for uniform wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted December 10, 2010 Share #5 Posted December 10, 2010 I've never seen one before, though I did find some photos of a few being worn. I remember seeing more of a wire/sparkley one being worn with a female mess dress but I forget where the image is, I found that interesting, but since these are more of a headgear type it's definitely peaked my interest. Always nice to see and learn new things! Thanks! Actually, if you look at this photo, the Army, Navy and Marine are all wearing one, specific to their service. These are no longer available. I just checked the Navy Exchange cateloge. I think they were dropped in the mid '90s. That was about the same time that the white combination hat was made optional for wear with these uniforms, rather than required...This female uniform is what happens when you take something that isn't and make it so. Civilian ladies would be wearing evening gownes in this situation. There is really no way to display rank insignia or awards on a ladies evening gown, so the male Formal/Dinner Dress uniforms were adapted to a more "feminine" look. When these uniforms were created ('50s ?), the tiara was the fashion. Steve Hesson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 10, 2010 Share #6 Posted December 10, 2010 These are no longer available. I just checked the Navy Exchange cateloge. I think they were dropped in the mid '90s. The Ensign I knew bought hers in April 2009. She actually opened the box on the ship with many of us present. They aren't offered via the regular catalog, they are only available by special order and are still available for purchase. 4-6 weeks to receive it if anyone needs one. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted December 10, 2010 The Ensign I knew bought hers in April 2009. She actually opened the box on the ship with many of us present. They aren't offered via the regular catalog, they are only available by special order and are still available for purchase. 4-6 weeks to receive it if anyone needs one. Dave These are still listed as an optional item in what seem to be the current regs at http://www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/USN...ormRegulations/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted December 24, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted December 24, 2010 Well I now own the tiara (along with the rest of her formal uniform and some other items). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooseandspoons Posted December 24, 2010 Share #9 Posted December 24, 2010 well i learned at least one thing today, very interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted December 24, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted December 24, 2010 well i learned at least one thing today, very interesting! I showed this to my wife when she got home today and she thought it was totally cool and immediately asked to try it on. Hmmmm, wonder if this could be her Christmas present? :whistling: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted December 24, 2010 Share #11 Posted December 24, 2010 I showed this to my wife when she got home today and she thought it was totally cool and immediately asked to try it on. Hmmmm, wonder if this could be her Christmas present? :whistling: I told my sister about this thread. She also thinks they are totaly cool and she said she has wanted one since she started putting together her dinner dress uniforms. Says she is holding out until she makes Master Chief. go figuer :think: Steve Hesson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted December 24, 2010 Share #12 Posted December 24, 2010 The Ensign I knew bought hers in April 2009. She actually opened the box on the ship with many of us present. They aren't offered via the regular catalog, they are only available by special order and are still available for purchase. 4-6 weeks to receive it if anyone needs one. Dave Dave, My sister is asking "Special order from where". The NEX says they know nothing of these (which is typical of those bandits). Steve Hesson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 22, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 22, 2012 FINALLY found my pics of the tiara in wear. These were taken in 2008... And... (I will only confirm that these were taken AFTER combined CPO Mess/Wardroom Dining In...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted June 22, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 22, 2012 It that a tiara, or a beret? Also, is the gold leaf indicative of rank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 22, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 22, 2012 It that a tiara, or a beret?Also, is the gold leaf indicative of rank? She's wearing a tiara, but unfortunately at almost midnight it was dark enough where I couldn't get the back of her head (and you can tell she wasn't thrilled about having her photo taken either...) The gold oakleaves on FS's tiara are just like the oakleaves for male officers...O-5 and above wear them, whereas O-4 and below have none. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 22, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 22, 2012 Not the most flattering piece of female military headgear I've ever seen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted June 22, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 22, 2012 And... (I will only confirm that these were taken AFTER combined CPO Mess/Wardroom Dining In...) OH YEAH!!! That'll look good around FitRep time Steve Hesson (who has pretty much the same photo around herre some place) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 22, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 22, 2012 OH YEAH!!! That'll look good around FitRep time That's okay...I didn't post the one of her giving me "the bird" for taking the photos to begin with... :pinch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted June 23, 2012 Share #19 Posted June 23, 2012 She's wearing a tiara, but unfortunately at almost midnight it was dark enough where I couldn't get the back of her head (and you can tell she wasn't thrilled about having her photo taken either...) Dave I didn't realize that YOU were taking the pictures until now!! You were lucky to escape with yoour life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 23, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 23, 2012 I didn't realize that YOU were taking the pictures until now!! You were lucky to escape with yoour life! I might have been on active duty, but still had the heart of a militaria collector! How often do you see these things worn? I just wish I had snapped some pics of the admiral I saw wearing one (with all the "big" golden oakleaves!) Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmdo Posted June 23, 2012 Share #21 Posted June 23, 2012 I might have been on active duty, but still had the heart of a militaria collector! How often do you see these things worn? I just wish I had snapped some pics of the admiral I saw wearing one (with all the "big" golden oakleaves!) Dave Funny! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted June 23, 2012 Share #22 Posted June 23, 2012 That's okay...I didn't post the one of her giving me "the bird" for taking the photos to begin with... :pinch: Really though, those are classic "Squids on Libs" pics. I Love em! Steve Hesson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 2, 2012 Share #23 Posted July 2, 2012 Just ran across this on a friend of a friend's facebook page...apparently, current purchase price for a junior officer tiara is $153... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted July 2, 2012 Share #24 Posted July 2, 2012 Just ran across this on a friend of a friend's facebook page...apparently, current purchase price for a junior officer tiara is $153... So this is more of a flaunt-it uniform item. Buy it because you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spathologist Posted July 2, 2012 Share #25 Posted July 2, 2012 Well I now own the tiara Fess up...you spent a good ten minutes sporting that thing in front of a mirror... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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