WAVES uniform
Item
Title
WAVES uniform
Has Format
Description
Navy blue wool WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) uniform. A. Jacket; set-in sleeves; light blue stripe and star at wrists; padded shoulders; two fake pockets above bustline; four gold buttons at front opening; princess seams at front and back; completely lined; two inside pockets; Mrs. Judge's name stitched in collar; appliqué anchor sewn on each lapel. B. Skirt; six gores; welt pockets in front; 1 inch waistband; left side zipper closure with button; not lined. C. Hat; fold-over; anchor insignia patch.
Worn by donor, Jean Judge, during World War II. According to the donor, the skirt pockets are in roughly the same position as the corresponding buttons on sailor pants. The squared-off dress hat was copied after the British seaman's hat of 18th century. The donor's was mildewed and has only the fold-over hat left, which was their Class B hat. They wore white shirts and black ties with suit for dress and navy shirts and light blue ties for work. Optional light blue shirts were available. They were allowed nylons; Navy Nurses had to wear black cotton hose. They wore a protective navy blue wool hat covering, called a havelock, in inclement weather and were not allowed to carry umbrellas or parcels. A black shoulder strap leather bag was worn with this uniform and with summer whites. Heels were no higher than 2 inches and skirt lengths 17 to 18 inches from floor. Gold buttons on jacket were for officers, plain blue plastic for non-commissioned. One blue sleeve stripe indicated lowly Ensign. The men never let them have gold stripes such as theirs.
Worn by donor, Jean Judge, during World War II. According to the donor, the skirt pockets are in roughly the same position as the corresponding buttons on sailor pants. The squared-off dress hat was copied after the British seaman's hat of 18th century. The donor's was mildewed and has only the fold-over hat left, which was their Class B hat. They wore white shirts and black ties with suit for dress and navy shirts and light blue ties for work. Optional light blue shirts were available. They were allowed nylons; Navy Nurses had to wear black cotton hose. They wore a protective navy blue wool hat covering, called a havelock, in inclement weather and were not allowed to carry umbrellas or parcels. A black shoulder strap leather bag was worn with this uniform and with summer whites. Heels were no higher than 2 inches and skirt lengths 17 to 18 inches from floor. Gold buttons on jacket were for officers, plain blue plastic for non-commissioned. One blue sleeve stripe indicated lowly Ensign. The men never let them have gold stripes such as theirs.
Relation
Detail of "WAVES" patch on inside pocket (Object ID #1971.01.a)
Detail of "Jean P. Judge" twill tape at inside collar (Object ID #1971.01.a)
Detail of label inside hat (Object ID #1971.01.c)
Creator
Mainbocher
Date
1942-1945
Source
Donor: Mrs. Thomas A. Judge (Jean P. Judge)
Is Part Of
Identifier
Object ID #1971.01.abc
https://digitalcollections.mtmary.edu/files/original/669e25e1f79d31208c508a121babe545.jpg
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Subject
Clothing and dress
Type
Still Image
Format
360 View
Collection
Citation
Mainbocher, “WAVES uniform,” Mount Mary University Digital Collections, accessed April 26, 2025, https://digitalcollections.mtmary.edu/items/show/4354.