“Life is really rugged out here, but I enjoy every bit of it. We eat, sleep, & work in the open. I even wear long underwear!! Can you feature that?” -Mollie Weinstein writing from France, 12 August 1944 Excerpted from Mollie's War In the early days of the WAAC, the subject of what the issued … Continue reading WAC Winter Underwear–DIY
Projects
WAAC Athletic Shoes
Athletic shoes frequently pop up in photos of the training centers, and were worn not only for physical training (which constituted 17-30 hours of Basic Training), but also for fatigue duty and in off-duty hours. We will wear ours at events centered around WAAC/WAC Training centers. "Originally, according to the Table of Basic Allowances, each … Continue reading WAAC Athletic Shoes
WAAC Exercise Suit Project
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 … Continue reading WAAC Exercise Suit Project
De-Farbing Reproductions
One of the biggest struggles of a WAC impression is sourcing uniforms--originals are limited (plus they can be more delicate than is feasible for wear at some events) and the best reproductions can be cost prohibitive. Soldier of Fortune offers a reproduction of the enlisted winter service jacket at a nicer price point, but some … Continue reading De-Farbing Reproductions