TENTH MOUNTAIN DIVISION

LIVING HISTORY DISPLAY GROUP, INC.

ON BUYING A UNIFORM

MALE MEMBERS:

GETTING STARTED: As a newcomer into reenacting or living history, one of the biggest challenges is getting a proper uniform. When this hobby got started 30 years ago, WWII uniforms were both cheap and plentiful, but those days are fading fast. (My wife’s comment at this point is that they are really expensive, and you’d better either get permission in advance or buy flowers when she sees the bill.) These days, there are still original uniforms out there, but they can be expensive, and are collectables, going up in price every year. E-Bay is a great source, but the prices are retail. Compare prices there, and buy at Goodwill, surplus stores, gun shows and antique stores when you can. If you are a larger size, you may have to buy reproduction items to get the clothing to fit you.

WHAT TO BUY: Let’s start with the basics, because that’s the best place to start. No matter what unit you decide to get involved with, some pieces are common to every U.S. Army unit, and these are the items you should look for first.

1) Wool Shirt: Two basic styles were used in WWII, and they look almost identical. Look for a mustard-green colored wool shirt that buttons up the front and has two patch pockets on the front. These shirts are sized like a modern dress shirt, with a neck and sleeve size (15x33). With original shirts, try the shirt on, as these may have shrunk in size if it was washed in the washer & dryer. It is well worth your time and money to buy the best quality you can afford here, as this shirt can also work with your Class A (dress) uniform. (Once you own one – dry clean or Dryell. Do NOT wash in washer and dryer). Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and At The Front.

2) Wool Trousers: The trousers to buy are a heavy weight wool that does NOT match the shirt. They are a little more mustard in color, with a watch pocket in front, button closure on one back pocket, and a button fly. These usually have white cotton pockets and waistband. These are sized with a waist and inseam, and it is encouraged that you try them on for size, as they can be both shrunk and altered. Buy the best quality you can afford here, as these trousers can also work with your Class A (dress) uniform. There is another color that closely matches the IKE jacket – these should be reserved ONLY for dress use – not for dual purpose wear. Once again – do not wash and dry – dry clean or Dryell only. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and At The Front.

3) Web Belt: While not a big item, the right web belt is worth your time and money. A WWII belt should be a light olive drab color (LOD) with a blackened bronze open-faced buckle. You can see both the belt color and buckle in the above photo. A pristine original may be marked with a length, a date and a “U.S.” stamp. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and At The Front.

4) Boots/Shoes: Here’s where your impression can vary, but our recommendation is that you buy a basic U.S. service shoe. There are a couple of variations, but this was the basic shoe worn by almost all G.I.’s in WWII. This will work in the field, with your Class A uniform, with summer uniforms and almost every combination. They will NOT work with US Leggings, Dismounted, M1938 paratroop uniforms (except glider troops). Until you get more advanced, do NOT buy the roughout version (they look like suede on the outside) – these are only worn in combat. Options to consider include Mountain Boots and Two-Buckle Boots (see below). Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from What Price Glory, WWII Impressions, and At The Front.

5) Leggings: The canvas leggings are in the same LOD color as the belt, and fit over the service shoe and trousers, lacing up the outside of the leg. These are only worn with the combat uniform, but can be worn with both the summer and winter uniforms. These come in sizes, so try them on before you buy, or ask for help. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and At The Front.

6) Helmet: The basic U.S. Army helmet is a helmet and liner assembly. The shell is steel and the liner is made of fiberglass with web suspension. There were two basic helmets used in WWII that you may want to buy – the early fixed-bale helmet and the later swivel-bale helmet. To learn about the variations of helmets and liners, we encourage you to visit Top Pots to learn more. Unless you are planning to develop an Airborne impression, we encourage you to get a front-seam, fixed bale M1 helmet with sewn-on straps. The post-war helmets look very similar, but the WWII version IS different. Also look at the liner – get the liner with the center webbing forming a loop in the center. Acceptable items include WWII originals only.

The above items will get your basic uniform. There are variations you may want to consider, and we will gladly assist you in making a decision. Some of thes options our listed in our uniform guide. To see a list of uniform suppliers, visit our LINKS page.

PHOTOGRAPHS:

FEMALE MEMBERS

GETTING STARTED: Ladies – you are starting at a disadvantage from day one, but this can be overcome. Compared to men’s equipment, women’s uniforms are harder to find and more expensive. In the past 5 years, reproductions are starting to be made, but the resources are not as easy to find. Sizing is crucial! A size change in the post-war years makes it is far easier to make a mistake. An industry wide size change made a WWII size 16 compare with today’s size 12. So if you can find a larger size – get it – they are few and far between. (Once again – flowers from your re-enactor partner will suffice in the blow to your size conscience ego!!) A point to consider: In WWII, women did not carry weapons, so your impression will not require that expensive purchase. Field gear is somewhat reduced as well, so what you spend on the uniform may be made up in savings elsewhere. However, if you want to get involved in weapons or other areas, talk to your unit contact, who can explain some options for you to consider.

WHAT TO BUY: Unfortunately, there are more (and less) choices for a woman in uniform. Uniform parts generally don’t interchange between dress and work uniforms, and there are more variations for the women. Building a complete wardrobe can become an expensive proposition. We will try to guide you through the basics. Because of the lack of choices, we encourage you to consider a summer (HBT) work uniform as your first choice. This is NOT a fashionable uniform, but you are not alone. In WWII, the women found it to be less than ideal as well.

1) Cotton HBT Shirt: The HBT (herringbone twill) shirt is the most forgiving and perhaps the most affordable uniform to buy. It was worn by women in the WAC (Womens Army Corps), ANC (Army Nurses Corps) and by members of the civilian Red Cross. It is durable, sturdy and relatively affordable. They are available in early-war light olive drab (LOD) and late war dark olive green (OG). In the field, it was not uncommon to see both colors worn together. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from WWII Impressions.

2) Cotton HBT Trousers: The HBT trouser has buttons on the hips (no fly!) and patch pockets on the front of each leg. There is no back pocket. There are button adjustments at the bottom of each leg to make it fight tighter when tucked into boots. Both colors are found (LOD and OG). No belt is required for these trousers. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from WWII Impressions.

3) Hat: The HBT hat is called a Daisy Mae, and is a brimmed soft hat that can be rolled up and stuffed in a pocket. There was a special women’s version, but they were hard to find even in WWII, so many women wore the men’s variation. Most women in service were able to avoid wearing a helmet except in training. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from WWII Impressions.

US M1943 two-buckle Boot 4) Boots: While many women wore the women’s version of the service shoe and the matching leggings (see the men’s uniforms above), we suggest that female members get the men’s double-buckle boot. Starting in late 1943, this boot was intended for field wear, and is (relatively) comfortable, durable and is much easier to find than the women’s options. Many women in service used this boot because it was available and the women’s boots were not, especially when overseas. If you go this route, remember that women’s shoe sizes are different than men’s, usually requiring about 1 to 1.5 size decrease (women’s size 8 is a men’s 6.5). Trousers are worn tucked into the top of this boot. Acceptable items include WWII originals and reproductions from What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and At The Front.

There are other uniforms that you may want to consider, and if you find a deal on one of these, they are always acceptable. These can include women’s wool field uniform, women’s dress uniform, women’s shirt & blouse, women’s suntan uniform, women’s M-43 field uniform, nurse’s dress uniform, nurse’s ward dress, nurse’s off-duty dress, women’s hospital dress, WAC hospital dress, WAC PT uniform, WAC off-duty dress and more.

The two primary suppliers of reproduction women’s uniforms are What Price Glory and WWII Impressions. There may be others, and we will gladly provide links when we find out who they are.

To learn more about uniforms for women in military service, and to go to a page with links, information and more, please double-click HERE to keep learning!

Photos used on this page taken from supplier’s web sites. What Price Glory and WWII Impressions are two of the top suppliers of reproduction uniforms in the world today.