1940s Military Women's Costume | 1940s Fashion
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The Warrior Women of World War II
The following article will tell you how to put together your military women's costume. You'll learn where to find vintage military clothing, and how to use modern styles to create a vintage look. You'll learn about shoes, hats, nylons, hairstyles, and even lipstick. By the time you're done reading, you'll have learned everything you need to know to create the perfect WWII military costume!
During WWII, everyone pitched in to do their part. Whether this meant working in the factories, or growing her family's food, women involved immersed themselves in the war effort.
But some women took it a step farther than that -- they actually joined up! In the United States, they served various branches of the military, such as the Women's Army Corps (WACs), the Women Assigned for Volunteeer Emergency Service (WAVES), and the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASPs). While they were prohibited from serving directly in combat positions, by no means were these women working in safe jobs. Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice.
What better way to honor them than to learn about their legacy -- and to let that legacy inspire your Halloween costume?
Don't You Know There's A War On?
Women Join the Military in WWII
During WWII, every woman pitched in to do her part. Whether this meant working in the factories, or growing her family's food, women involved immersed themselves in the war effort.
But some women took it a step farther than that -- they actually joined up! In the United States, they served various branches of the military, such as the Women's Army Corps (WACs), the Women Assigned for Volunteeer Emergency Service (WAVES), and the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASPs). While they were prohibited from serving directly in combat positions, by no means were these women working in safe jobs. Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice.
What better way to honor them than to learn about their legacy -- and to let that legacy inspire your Halloween costume?
WAAC, Fort Des Moines
If you're creating a costume for a military woman of WWII, there are many ways to go about it. The easiest way is to fake it with a set of coveralls -- they were worn by women in most branches of the service while working.
You can fake it with a 1940s suit of the right color (khaki, navy, olive drab, or white), and find or make copies of the insignia from your chosen branch of service. Or, you can go all out, and buy a vintage uniform, or have one made for you. I'll tell you how to do all of those things, starting with the coveralls.
I'll also tell you how to accessorize your uniform. Whether you're in full military dress, or you're a mechanic on duty, you need to get your hair, make-up, and shoes just right in order to complete your look. Fortunately, with the resources available online, that's pretty easy to do. No matter how much time you want to invest, you can look like one of the military women of WWII.
Women's Coveralls
... weren't always women's coveralls.
Don't worry if you can't find coveralls made specifically for women. At the beginning of the war, there were no women's uniforms. In fact, the military had no idea how to make them! Many women had to make do with uniforms that had been made for men. If your coveralls are a bit large or baggy, don't worry -- it's part of the vintage look!
Once you have your coveralls, get a pair of plain lace-up shoes with a low heel. Get a pair of white ankle socks. Then, make sure your hair and make-up are right, and you have your costume!
Dickies 48799 Deluxe Coverall Blended Olive Green Medium Short
Amazon Price: $35.00 (as of 05/24/2012)
A pair of coveralls is a quick and easy way to create a foundation for your WWII women's military costume. They were worn by women in all military branches while doing service work.
The United States: Women's Army Corps
Meet the WACs (but first, the WAACs)
Wacs Inspecting Glider at Army Show
Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was founded in 1942. In 1943, the WAAC merged with the regular army to become the Women's Army Corps. WACs were the first women to serve in the army in a non-nursing capacity.
Most WACs served stateside, but many served overseas as well. There was a WAAC contingent in North Africa, and WACs served in Australia, New Guinea, and the Phillipines. WACs also landed at Normandy three weeks after the invasion.
Douglass MacArthur said that the WACs were his "best soldiers", because they worked harder, complained less, and had better discipline than their male counterparts. They were very much in demand on the French front, working in the Quartermaster, Signal, Special, and Information services. Their presence also served to boost morale; they endured the same hardships the men did, and the men decided that "if the WACs can take it, we can take it."
Vintage Women's Suits in Beige
Pretend it's Khaki
Then trick it out with insignia and a kepi-style hat, and your costume is 90% done!
WAC Insignia on eBay
This feed shows only a few of the listings for "WAC insignia" returned by eBay. Click through and run your own search to find more!
Back Seam Nylons
Rationed for Civilians; Reserved for Women in the Military
Regimental Commander Inspecting WACs and Their Stocking Seams at Assembly Photographic Print
Hansen, Marie
Buy at AllPosters.com
In WWII America, nylon was rationed to make parachutes. Most women had to do without the nylon stockings they'd come to love -- but not the women of the Women's Army Corps. Nylons were part of their dress uniform. In fact, nylons were used as a recruiting tool to entice women to sign up.
Of course, this being the army, a woman's back seam had to be absolutely straight. That's a difficult feat to accomplish -- I know because I've tried!. I wonder how many women regretted their decision to join up when it came time to face their first inspection?
Shoes for WAC, WAVES, and WASP uniforms
Whether your costume is coveralls or a full dress military uniform, lace-up oxfords with a low heel will go with your outfit. Your shoes should be black if you're dressing as a WASP or a WAVE, brown if you're a WAC. The heel height could be no higher than 1 3/8", and any lacing or stitching had to match the color of the shoe.
Zappos has an incredible variety of shoes, and you can search their store by color, style, and even heel height. They also offer free shipping and free returns. Can't get any better than that!
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Paul Smith Burton Men Only Shoe $695.00 -
Burberry Polished Leather Shoes $314.99 -
Paul Smith Chuck Men Only Shoe $565.00 -
Dr. Martens Sylvie 3-Eye Shoe $90.00 -
Frye Carson Oxford $188.00
The WACs in Europe
- The WACs in Europe
- A pamphlet written by historians attached to the US War Department, European Theatre, WWII.
The United States: The WAVES
Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service
Navy WACs in Uniform Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
The WAVES were unusual among the women's armed service corps because it was never an auxiliary organization. WAVES served directly in the navy, having the same ranks and rating system, with the same pay, and subject to the same military discipline. The WAVES were led by Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander Mildred McAfee, formerly President of Wellesley College. She was the first commissioned female officer in United States Military History.
WAVES were prohibited from serving in combat missions, and most of their work remained stateside until the very end of the war. They served as clerical workers, aviators, medical, and science personnel.
Vintage Women's Navy Blue Suits
Fake your way to that WAVES look!
Civilian clothing of the era was inspired by the military look. Colors like olive drab and navy blue became popular. Women's jackets had a "menswear look" anyway, often because they had been remade from men's suits. If you get the right jacket and skirt, all you have to do is trick it out with the right insignia, and you're set.
WAVES Insignia from WWII
get it on eBay!
The United States: The WASPs
That's "Women's Air Service Pilots" to you!
Female Pilot of the Us Women's Air Force Service Posed with Her Leg Up on the Wing of an Airplane
Premium Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
American female pilots had been volunteering in the war effort since 1940. Some of them had joined Britain's Air Transport Corps, flying front line Royal Air Force planes from factories to maintenance units, transfer points, and active air fields. While they were civilians and did not technically fly combat missions, many of them flew in combat-like conditions.
With the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, it became clear that the United States had a shortage of male pilots. Women were asked to step in and fill non-combat roles, and the Women's Air Service Pilots were formed in 1942. They flew cargo missions, transferred planes from factory to training centers, and towed targets for anti-aircraft practice.
WASPs were civilians, and as such they did not receive military benefits like medical care. If a WASP were killed in the line of duty, her family had to pay to transport her body home. And in spite of their civilian status, WASPs were required to wear uniforms -- but they had to pay for these out of their own pockets. These women really wanted to fly!
WASPs flew nearly every type of plane used by the United States Army Air Force in WWII. A few WASPs even served as test pilots, flying in some of the first jet planes and rocket-propelled air craft.
WASPs in Flight
Well, flight uniforms anyway.
This picture shows a group of WASPs after a completed flight. Their uniforms are pretty simple, which means your WASP costume is going to be easy to put together. Get some coveralls wide leg trousers in khaki, beige, tan, or similar. Pair them with a bomber jacket and leather gloves. Add a pair of boots or oxfords. And you're done!
Bomber Jackets
WASP Insignia WWII
For WWII Women Reenactors (and sticklers): Detailed Uniform Information
For WACs, WAVES, WASPs, and more!
Are You a Girl with a Star Spangled Heart? Join the Wac Now!
Giclee Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
For incredibly detailed wealth of information about women's military uniforms of WWII, there is a website at blitzkriegbaby.de (take a moment to savor the irony) with dress codes, photographs, and articles. In addition to the WACs, WAVES, and WASPS, the author includes uniform information for women who served in the coast guard reserves, the marine reserves, and several other military branches. She also includes resources for making your own uniform or accessories.
- Women's Uniforms for the Reenactor
- This will take you to the main menu page. From there you can navigate to any uniform you wish.
- WAAC/WAC
- A reprint of a booklet prepared by historians of the War Department.
Halloween Poll!
WAC, WAVE, or WASP?
Female Marines Pushing the Tail of a Plane to Turn It Around During Flight Training For WWII
Photographic Print
Shrout, William...
Buy at AllPosters.com
Would you rather dress as a WAC? A WAVE? or a WASP?
More about 1940s women's fashion!
Including hair and make-up.
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Did I help you with your Halloween costume?
Or did you learn something about women's military history?
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Upon-Request
Apr 30, 2012 @ 10:14 am | delete
- Adding to my 1940s Pop Culture lens
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nikyweber
Jan 24, 2012 @ 5:48 am | delete
- Very nice lens! squidlikes!
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sheezie77
Jan 14, 2012 @ 11:48 am | delete
- Great lens! Thumbs up
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jimmyworldstar
Dec 7, 2011 @ 1:59 am | delete
- My grandmother's friend served as a WASP. I remember she'd tell me about flying in dangerous conditions over France dropping supplies and at the end of the war she wasn't really recognized for her efforts by the military. Back home though everyone on the block knew about her efforts and respected her greatly.
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AddaptAbilities Dec 17, 2011 @ 10:03 pm | delete
- That's a great story. I'm glad the block respected her service, even if the military didn't.
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