During the 18th and early 19th centuries, boys were increasingly being educated on land before being sent to sea as a midshipman. This education, which initially was conducted at private establishments - later cadets were sent to the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth or, after 1837, to training ships. One of the earliest reference to a uniform for cadets at the Royal Academy in Portsmouth came in 1748, when officers in the Royal Navy were given their first uniforms. Apparently cadets had been wearing gold laced coats, which would have made their appearance more distinguished than that of some of the commissioned officers. The Admiralty issued orders that their uniform should be of a plain blue coat as 'the said clothing, having gold trimming upon it, does not consist properly with military uniform clothing.' By 1856, cadet’s uniform was identical to that worn by a midshipman, with the exception of a button hole of white twist embroidery on the collar instead of a turn-back. In 1891, cadets were given the round jacket instead of the tailcoat.

This is a round jacket worn by a cadet. It is a single breasted jacket of blue wool that fastens with seven gilt brass buttons. The jacket features a stand up collar with a white twist embroidered button hole and one small button at the front, on each side. The pattern of the buttons is a rope twist outer border with a raised inner border, matte ground with raised anchor below a crown. The sleeves are very slightly gathered at the shoulder. The round cuff has three buttons above blue twist embroidered button holes and there are two exterior pockets at the front on each side.

The interior of the coat has a breast pocket on the left. The chest has a blue wool lining and the collar, back and under arms are lined with black silk twill. The sleeves are lined with white cotton twill and the right sleeve has the laundry mark 'C.O. Luxmoore' stamped in black ink. The cuffs are lined with black wool twill. The back is cropped at the waist with a central point. The collar has a hook and eye closure.