Fury has erupted after the Royal Navy revealed plans to spend up to £200,000 replacing female officers’ ceremonial uniforms because the existing jackets are said to have “inappropriately placed buttons”. More than 950 serving female officers will receive redesigned No 1 dress jackets at taxpayers’ expense after concerns were raised that the top row of decorative buttons sits at nipple height.

An internal Royal Navy document said the “old-style” jackets would be withdrawn and replaced with a revised design featuring all eight buttons positioned lower down the front of the uniform. The move has triggered anger among some sailors and critics, who argue the navy should be concentrating on military readiness rather than redesigning ceremonial clothing during a major defence funding crisis.

A temporary memorandum circulated across the fleet stated: “The position of the top two ‘decorative’ buttons on the older design of the female officer’s No 1 jacket are deemed to be inappropriately placed. The jackets have since been replaced with a different design.”

The rollout will begin in September this year before expanding from February next year, reported The Times. The uniforms are worn during ceremonial occasions including inspections, funerals and official visits.

Female non-commissioned officers, including petty officers, chief petty officers and warrant officers, are unaffected because their jackets have only three rows of buttons rather than four.

Some women in the service are reportedly furious about the decision, particularly because many officers previously paid substantial sums for tailored uniforms they have worn proudly for years.

One Royal Navy source described the spending as “absurd”.

They said: “It’s clearly absurd for the Royal Navy to be frittering away money on such a minor change to this uniform.

“The button placement on the jacket has always been a bit of a joke within the service, but at a time when the navy has been tasked with gearing up to a warfighting readiness, surely there are more urgent matters for the navy to focus on and better uses for this money.

“Surely the obvious answer would have been to simply cut off the offensive nipple buttons on the existing uniforms?”

The controversy comes as the Ministry of Defence battles severe financial pressure, with a reported £28 billion defence spending shortfall projected over the next four years.

Ministers are still wrangling over how much additional money the department will receive, while long-delayed plans outlining future defence investment have yet to be published.

The ceremonial No 1 uniforms have a long history within the service and similar designs were worn by members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the World War 2.

Princess Anne, who holds the rank of admiral in the Royal Navy, has frequently been photographed wearing the same style of jacket over the years.

The redesigned jackets will also be issued to officers serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Despite the backlash, the Royal Navy insisted the change was necessary and said most of the cost would eventually be recovered through savings elsewhere.

A spokeswoman said: “The navy is both a modern organisation which continuously adapts and is also hugely proud of our history.

“This change, which will be brought in over several years, addresses issues raised by serving personnel regarding the fit of female officer’s jackets, and is a positive step for women in the navy while balancing operational and financial factors.

“The cost of the new jacket will be offset by a reduction in the number of uniforms issued.”

Express.co.uk has contacted the Royal Navy for additional comment.