How to Crease a Navy Crackerjack Uniform

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The U.S. Navy's dress uniform earned its fame on battleships around the globe, as well as on boxes of the iconic Cracker Jack snacks, which showcases the Service Dress Blue version. With all that history behind it, it's important to have the uniform looking its best at all times, starting with the proper method of giving the shirt and trousers their signature creases. This can be accomplished without a great deal of work and at minimal cost.

Wash the Navy Crackerjack uniform. For the Dress Blue, wash in warm or cold water. For the Summer White, wash in cold water with a little bleach.

Dry the uniform using a permanent cycle with low heat.

Fill the iron with water. Place on "High" setting.

Place pants inside out on the ironing board. Apply heat from the iron to make a vertical crease on each trouser leg from cuff to waist. Apply sufficient starch to get the desired look. Repeat for the other leg. For the Service Dress Blue Uniform, place the blouse inside out on the ironing board. For the Summer White Uniform, place it regular side out.

Form military creases by pressing two vertical creases in the front of the shirt, from the shoulder seam through to the center of each pocket to the bottom of the shirt. Press three evenly spaced vertical creases in the back of the shirt, from the yoke seam to the bottom of the shirt. For shirts lacking a yoke seam across the back of the shirt to use as a reference point, start the outer creases at the shoulder seam and the center crease at the seam where the collar is attached, ending all at the bottom of the shirt. Unbutton shirt pockets and use a sufficient amount of starch to give it a clean and crisp look. Rebutton shirt pockets and hang the shirt and trousers on separate wooden hangers.