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Now the run up to the 60's had quietly commenced. The Teddy Boy era had started and those deprived of such individuality, like most young men of that time subjected to Military sevice, Regular or Conscript, began to question the pre-war LOOK that still prevailed in the services. Change was not exactly one of our Lordships (of the Admiralty) specialities and they were exceedingly slow to react to change until recruitment fell dramatically when the New Universities became all the rage in the early 1960's.
Our generation had seen much change and noticed from our very early years the quality and design of other countries OUTFITS , having been in contact with them all during the war. They were thought to be Suave and Dignified in their well tailored uniforms manufactured in cloths that left our SERGE somewhere in the distant past, so it was little surprise that we tried to emulate them.
Once the first 30 days of complying with the Establishments ideas of DRESS were over, it came to pass that, let loose on society in Torpoint and Plymouth, modifications were deemed necessary to soften the appearance to one of "OLD HAND" and to set us aside from those of OTHER departments of the R.N. that were dressed in Class 3 "Fore and Aft" rig similar to ourselves - namely Stores, Cooks, Stewards, Sick Berth male nurses and Coders.
The first and most easily modified garment was the Peaked Cap, which looks even to this day like an inverted chamber pot when worn "as per issue", but is not as easily modified now. Plastic does not lend itself to modificatrion with scissors , needle and thread. The old caps were manufactured from Melton Cloth and the internals could be unstitched and the rigid hessian backing cut to shape and then stitched up again.
This modification allowed the back of the cap to droop and to give it the soft look, when the stretcher inside, known as the grommet, was left out. Hopefully one then achieved a well presented "Gunther Prien" look.
(For those of today unfamilar with the name, Gunther Prien was a German Wartime Submarine Commander who from his exploits was well respected as a Seamen and much admired by BOIARTS. So you see already Brainwashing wasn't a success.)
Coupled with the jaunty set of the cap copied from Admiral Beatty of First World War fame, one hoped for a modicum of style topsides.
The next Quick Fix was the shoes. Boots were standard issue, so as soon as one could muster the required funds, from Savings, Pleading with ones Muvver or any other Rich relation, a trip to SLOPS (The naval stores that sold extra or replacement clothing) a pair could be obtained at reasonable cost and the required pattern. The one problem however with Pussers Shoes was the dimpled leather that they were manufactured from. A great giveaway when ashore as to ones "Time In" so it became necessary to "Burn in" the newly acquired shoes. To do this One heated a spoon to dull red heat in the Pot Bellied stove in the middle of the Dormitory that served as Central heating, come cooker, come Industrial forge during the winter months and ran it over the leather that had been well lubricated with Kiwi/Cherry Blossom Shoe polish burning and melting in the polish to smooth out the dimples. Once the Apprentice was satisfied with the level of Smoothness, Spit and Polish was reverted to, to obtain the perfect shine.
Other modifications include The White Silk Scarf in place of the Blue Knitted one and the Brown Leather gloves instead of woolen ones.
Finally - The collar and tie. Now the tie was of Standard issue but to annoy the Establishment it was the Apprentices policy in many instances to adopt the Windsor Knot. This had more than fashion connotations, it was aimed at the heart of Monarchy itself. The Windsor Knot was used by the Duke of Windsor,who had Abdicated in favour of his Brother who became George the Sixth, and anything pertaining to him was definitely Non U. (To this day I still use the Half Windsor as It lies well in a collar) Coupled with the latest addition to the male wardrobe - The Plastic Collar ; yes we were still wearing what were loosely termed LOOSE collars in those days held on to the shirt by collar studs. The Plastic Collar was easily washable and therefore saved on laundry bills plus it did not overlap ones collar bones and get distorted like the Pussers starched version which ended up looking like a Sh*te hawk(Seagull) in full flight after one movement. Later in our apprenticeship the introduction of the "TERN" shirt also held great favour..
Having modified ones clothing to ones own style it was then possible to enter into the Spirit of the BOIART ( Boy Artificer) or
"Rebel with a Cause"
Of course all these modifications were well documented by the Establishment, so avoiding detection whilst being inspected, by the ever vigilant Officer of the Watch when proceeding ashore on a "Liberty Boat", was fraught with danger and if detected one was sent back to change into the regulation dress before one gained Liberty hopefully on the next "Boat"