Mess undress
 

Hi all,

An ex-service (now civvy) mate of mine has been invited to a unit reunion in an Officers’ Mess and the dress code is ‘mess undress’. Can anyone shed any light on what this means? Thanks in advance for all the really helpful comments!

Matelot function?

Black tie / DJ unless he can still get into his No5.

Mess Undress was often known as a Pressed Ham on the outside of the Mess windows.

Black tie

mess dress is white tie.

That'll be anti flash hood, white socks and black shoes.... I don't think I've missed any other clothing off the list.. :E

Mess undress is an invention of the untrustworthy inhabitants of HM's grey war canoes.

Please, as a matter of urgency, advise your friend to decline any invitation to be taken up the fo'c'sle by a stoker.

Or down to the golden rivet.

I cannot resist this tale from Gutersloh.

WO and Sgts Mess New Year Fancy Dress thrash.

A WO turns up, already rat-arsed and is challenged for wearing no fancy dress.

"I'm elephunt!" he said carefully, pulling trouser pockets inside out and flapping them. "Shee?"
"WHERE'S YOUR TRUNK THEN?"

Oh Oh .................

A tale from the MoD Bean-stealer's Dormitory [aka RAF Uxbridge]. We few genuine Living-In held a small Bad Taste Party. An elderly and quiet gp capt joined in, wearing has normal office suit ... embellished with a breast pocket full of assorted pens. His reputation soared!

At least he didn't add an Eagle lapel badge [the older boys' comic of the 1950s].

The lad that always came top of the B stream [A, B, C] did the pens, pencils and badge. To which he added prefect badge in the VI th..

To be fair he is now an Emeritus Professor of the History of Science.