Undress coat of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Codrington (1770–1851), worn at the Battle of Navarino on 20 October 1827. There is a rent under the arm, traditionally said to have been caused by a splinter that smashed his watch. However, the position of the rent would make this unlikely.

By 1825, the style of the full dress uniform had become increasingly fossilised, owing more to the ceremonial garments worn at court. Undress, which tended to keep step with contemporary fashions, had also fallen behind and the style of Codrington’s coat clearly echoes the fashions popular in the early years of the 19th century. However, there are fashionable elements such as the full gathered shoulders and extremely fitted waist. The three-point pocket flaps, which were worn on the first uniform patterns of 1748, are non-working, as the pockets are now accessed through the sword pleats in the skirts. Rank is indicated by the two rows of distinction lace on the cuffs.