The Royal Navy has unveiled its first new uniform in more than 70 years replacing the ''office shirt and trousers designed for the Second World War'' with a ''modern, comfortable and branded'' new image.

The crew of Portsmouth-based HMS Lancaster will be the first sailors to deploy in the new Royal Navy personal clothing system (RNPCS) when they set sail for a nine-month Atlantic patrol on Saturday.

The new attire, which replaces the action working dress known as No4s, has been designed to be more versatile with a layering system allowing it to be adapted for different climates visited by a ship while on tour.

Buttons which can easily be pulled off and pockets that can be ripped have been redesigned, reinforced and fitted with Velcro to make them more suited to the work tasks of a sailor.

And to meet the image needs of a modern navy, a more ''militaristic look'' has been created with a larger white ensign on the left shoulder and badges denoting rank moved to the front rather than on the shoulder.

Sailors will also be able to wear branded baseball caps while at sea at the discretion of the ship's commanding officer.

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Commander Peter Laughton, commanding officer of HMS Lancaster, said: ''The ship's company are really excited about the new uniform, it's the Royal Navy's first new uniform in 70 years and we are hugely proud to be the first ship to deploy with this new uniform and it comes just in time for a nine-month journey where we will be putting it through its paces in every possible climate.''

Adrian Randall, research and development manager for the Defence Clothing Team, described the previous uniform as being like office wear and said: ''The main aim was to produce a uniform that was more flexible, be worn in more climates and designed for what the navy does in the 21st century instead of the old one that was designed for the 1940s.''

Other changes include a more fire retardant material, lighter-weight trousers, smaller belt loops to reduce snagging and slanted pockets for ease of access.

Able seaman Sam Scott, 21, from Southampton, said: ''It's a great improvement and a lot more comfortable and a lot more modern, if you're in a hot climate you've got the opportunity to relax the shirt to a t-shirt. The main change is the pockets are a lot bigger with so much more space for tools that you need for your job.''

Vice Admiral Sir David Steel, the former second sea lord who oversaw the changes, said: ''It is time for the individuals in the navy to change the way they are presented. We have always been professional but we did look a bit out of date.

''This is a modern uniform which suits a modern navy. But the most important thing is that it is comfortable to wear in the extremes of climate in which the Royal Navy operates from the Antarctic to the Gulf.''

About 22,000 sets of the new uniform, which is the first major change in design since the previous compulsory kit was introduced in 1939, will be rolled out across the Senior Service and Royal Fleet Auxiliary throughout 2015.