Getting Dressed: WWII Women’s Army Corps (WAC) Exercise Suit (1940’s)

**Getting Dressed: WWII Women’s Army Corps (WAC) Exercise Suit (1940’s)** click SHOW MORE for links
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This project is the culmination of several months of study and work to create a pattern based on an original WAC Exercise Suit as well as the Khaki Summer Hat that was worn with it. 1940’s-style seam finishes and unique vintage techniques for construction are laid out in detail. The original pattern has been scaled to fit a range of sizes.
Pinterest Page of Research Images for WAC Exercise Suit: / wac-exercize-suit-wwii...
The United States entered World War II in December of 1941 following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. In May 1942 The Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp was established "for the purpose of making available to the national defense the knowledge, skill, and special training of women of the nation." The first women arrived at the first WAAC Training Center at Fort Des Moines on July 20, 1942. In July 1943, the WAAC was converted to active duty status in July 1943, becoming the Women’s Army Corp (WAC).
**The Layers**
Underwear & Brassier by What Katie Did
www.whatkatied...
Exercise Dress:
Pattern by Me! Available on Etsy www.etsy.com/s...
Shoes & Socks:
Women's Lunea Lace-Up Apparel Sneakers - Universal Thread™
www.target.com...
Use brush-on “Plasti-Dip” or another rubber coating to pain the soles and tips of your shoes.
Russet Brown Oxfords by All Heels on Duty (website doesn’t seem updated, so send an e-mail if it’s showing your size is out of stock - they may have it - worked for me!)
www.allheelson...
Carhartt All-season Cotton Crew Work Socks (put on inside out so the cuff looks good when you turn it down)
www.amazon.com...
Hair:
Conair Classic Vintage Hair Roll -
www.amazon.com...
Lipstick - Revlon “Certainly Red” is a good traditional lipstick www.amazon.com...
I often use these in layers for long-lasting lip color that doesn’t rub off as easily:
Layer 1: Maybelline Superstay 24 Color 035 Keep it Red
www.target.com...
Layer 2: Revlon Colorstay Overtime Constantly Coral
www.target.com...
WAC Summer Hat:
Pattern by Me! Available on Etsy www.etsy.com/s...
**Sources**
Original WAC Exercise Suit and Hat courtesy Michaela Negrete
Goebel, Kay Endruschat. Women for Victory. American Servicewomen in World War II, History & Uniforms Series. Vol. 2, The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), Schiffer Publishing, 2017.
www.blitzkriegb...
Smith, Jill Halcomb. Dressed for Duty: America's Women in Uniform, 1898-1973. Vol. 2, R.J. Bender, 2001.
Recommended: You Must Be Fit; the Official Physical Training Program of the Women's Army Corps. Infantry Journal, 1943 and United States Women's Army Corps (WAC) Physical Training 1943
archive.org/de...
“Women in the Army” www.army.mil/w...
**Special Thanks**
1st WAC Batallion Living History Group:
1stwacbn.com/2...
Press Photo of a “Girl with a Bat” from September 1943 courtesy Fred Welcher
Many Thanks to Max Harsha for help with photography and filming!
Thanks to Daniel Bermudez and Matt Carrillo for help with “Physical Training” activities!
**Music**
“Anchors Aweigh” by Charles Zimmerman (TH-cam Audio Library)
With Shot and Shell by United States Marine Band (TH-cam Audio Library)

[@dreamof-dragons]

Very informative video, and it turned out great! Thank you for sharing!

[@armynursecorpsww2]

Very interesting! I learned some new facts about this WAC uniform. 🙂

[@pulpermannetje]

Great reproduction👍🏻. Looks great. I have an original.

[@SheSewsHistory]

Thanks! And Wow, you are lucky!

[@theww2girl141]

This was really cool ma'am. Great video.

[@SheSewsHistory]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@theww2girl141]

@@SheSewsHistory you're welcome ma'am.

[@spikehere5866]

An enjoyable video. Although the choice of "Anchors Aweigh" from 1906 was a bit strange. Maybe something like Woody Guthrie's "When the Yanks go marching in" would have been a better.

[@SheSewsHistory]

lol, I was limited to TH-cam's free auido clips this time around, but I love your suggestion!

[@spikehere5866]

@@SheSewsHistory Thanks for the reply. I used to work for a company which distributed vintage compilation CD's here in the UK. One of my favourites was called "Kicking Hitler's Butt" it included "When the Yanks".

[@SheSewsHistory]

@@spikehere5866 - You gave me a laugh, that is awesome!

[@spikehere5866]

@@SheSewsHistory My pleasure.

[@spikehere5866]

P.S. You're pronunciation of "khaki" is completely different to how we say it over here in the UK

[@glennacasanova3584]

☝️ p̶r̶o̶m̶o̶s̶m̶