Insignia for mess kit is determined by branch or regimental tradition. Beatings were common, and rations eventually reduced to a mess kit of rice per day. Given a G.I. mess kit and cup, she had coffee and toast. In the Tropics British Army officers invariably wore white mess kit jackets when appropriate. The German mess kit ("Essgeschirr") was designed in 1908. I piled my mess kit high and found a quiet place to eat. Mess dress uniform is also known as "mess uniform" and, more informally, as "mess kit".