Epaulette

Epaulette (from the French épaule) is a fringed shoulder-knot worn since 1795 by commissioned officers of the British navy, sub-lieutenants wearing one of gold lace, and other ranks two. Crowns, anchors, and stars worked in silver on the epaulette, and the size of the cords of the epaulette itself, indicate the degree of rank. Previous to the Crimean war officers of the British army wore gold epaulettes, and the men worsted ones. Many foreign nations still retain them for both naval and military officers.