"This is not the definition of FLAT TOP SAILOR!"(This article is about the round hat worn by sailors. For the straw hat traditionally worn by sailors, see Sailor hat. For the 1965 explosive tests, see Operation Sailor Hat. For a species of flowers, see Primula hendersonii.)

"This is not the definition of FLAT TOP SAILOR!"(This article is about the round hat worn by sailors. For the straw hat traditionally worn by sailors, see Sailor hat. For the 1965 explosive tests, see Operation Sailor Hat. For a species of flowers, see Primula hendersonii.)
A sailor cap is a round, flat visorless hat worn by sailors in many of the world's navies. A tally, an inscribed black silk ribbon, is tied around the base which usually bears the name of a ship or a navy. Many navies (e.g. Germany) tie the tally at the rear of the cap and let the two ends hang down to the shoulders as decorative streamers. In the Royal Navy the tally is tied off in a bow over the left ear and in the early 20th century it was customary when going on shore leave to tie a small coin in the bow to make it stand out. In wartime, as a security measure, many navies replace the name of the ship with a generic title (e.g. "HMS" = "His/Her Majesty's Ship" in the Royal Navy or "South African Navy"). The cap may be further embellished with a badge, cockade or other accessory. Visorless caps of this kind began to be worn in the mid 19th century. The more rigid type of sailor hat with a wide, flat crown is also known as square rig (this refers generally to a type of sailor uniform) cap or pork pie (not to be confused with the brimmed pork pie hat). Until after World War II it was customary in most navies to wear a removable white cover over the dark blue cap in tropical or summer conditions only. This has been retained but as the cap is now generally a formal or dress item the white cover is worn all year around. The German Navy version of the sailor cap has a raised front in contrast to the flat top favored by the Royal Navy.