History

In around 1938 to 1939, evening dress and mess uniforms were introduced for Allgemeine SS personnel.

The SS Mess Dress, or SS-Gesellschaftsanzug, includes a double-breasted black tunic with wide lapels and two rows of three matte silver buttons. The tunic was manufactured out of high-quality wool and the collar was produced in fine black velvet. The interior of the tunic may be lined with black silk or rayon.

The jacket has two slanting side pockets, deep turn-back cuffs, and an embroidered national eage in place of the NSDAP brassard.

The collar, lapel, front closure, and cuffs were piped according to the rank of the individual.

Personnel with the rank of Hauptscharführer and below wore tunics piped with white cord, while personnel with the rank of Untersturmführer and higher wore tunics piped with silver cord.

Individuals with the rank of SS-Oberführer and higher wore tunics with silver-grey lapels, although, in actuality, the lapels look white.

The reverse of the tunic features a vent that runs from the hem to the waistline. Two buttons are attached to the waistline, one on each side of the vent.

The tunic was worn with long black trousers with white exterior seams, boots with dancing spurs, a brown shirt, and a black tie.