We have had this project languishing on the proverbial back burner for a few years now, but after Fort Meigs’ Muster on the Maumee event and triple-digit heat, we decided to actually start it.
The exercise uniform consisted of a front-buttoning striped seersucker dress and matching bloomers, the WAAC Summer Cap (AKA fatigue hat, “Daisy Mae”), athletic shoes, and OD cotton socks completed the ensemble.
“To provide for the needs of Fatigue and utility clothing for the WAAC, the OQMG had designed an exercise suit…the exercise suit and bloomers were well received by Waacs upon issue at Fort Des Moines in 1942.” -Erna Risch, 1945
While officially designated the exercise suit, it was worn for far more than just physical training. It also was worn for KP and fatigue work, as well as on laundry day.
Our projects will be the exercise suit, the summer cap, and the athletic shoes–stay tuned for tutorials.
We will be going into more details on subsequent posts, in the meantime enjoy the following photos!
Sources
- FM 35-20 W.A.C. Field Manual Physical Training, 1943-07-15
- Risch, Erna. Q.M.C. Historical Studies No. 12: No. 12: A Wardrobe for the Women of the Army, 1945
- The Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project (WVHP) at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
1st WAC Battalion Living History Group 