Here in the US we keep things pretty simple,
4 - Captain
3 - FO/SO/FE
We don't do stars, curlycues, crowns, wreaths, animals, 1, 1-1/2, 2-1/2, 3-1/2 etc.
We don't salute each other (I know that some Asian carriers do), hell, some outfits don't even have hats...and that's in their contract.
Who really cares. It's just a frickin uniform. Who are you trying to impress? F/A's? flying pax? frontdesk clerks? cleaning ladies?...may be yourself in front of a mirror?
It's the paycheck that counts.
PS - I've heard the same about the RMS Titanic emblematic red/ maroon stripes on some FE's stripes. Cool.