Miscellaneous
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Caps
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A distinctive service cap was specially designed
for women Marines through a competitive wartime offering by top designers.
It had a visor, a softly flaring crown and fitting pointed back.
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Winter Service Cap
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The winter cap was forest green in color with
a scarlet cord "chin strap" and bronze Marine Corps buttons fastened to
the end of the cords. The bronze Marine Corps cap device was used with
the winter cap. |
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| For summer wear, a light green cap made of
cotton gabardine with a white cord, brass Marine Corps cap device and brass
Marine Corps buttons was issued. The Marine Corps cap device for officers
was silver and gold. For work or parade the cap device was bronze. |
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Summer Service Cap
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.Top
view of the visored cap
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Garrison Cap
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A light green garrison cap trimmed with a white
piping was available later in the war. The Marine Corps collar insignia
in bronze was worn on the left side. |
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Raincover
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.Raincover
with havelock
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Raincovers made of thin waxed cloth were used
for rain protection of the service caps.
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Fatigue Hats
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For working details, a light green cotton
fatigue hat was worn with the green and white striped summer service uniform.
The fatigue hat was worn with the bronze Marine
Corps cap device. |
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| The olive-drab cotton garrison cap or the
“daisy mae” fatigue hat was worn with the olive-drab, cotton work uniform. |
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Wartime photographs also show women Marines
wearing khaki garrison caps with their work attire. |
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Shirts / Work Jackets
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Khaki USMCWR Shirt
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The khaki shirt was closed with 5 buttons.
The two breast pockets had pointed flaps.
Noncommissioned officers wore green chevrons
on both sleeves.
Officers wore miniature pin-on rank insignia
on both ends of the collar whenever the service jacket was not worn. |
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The work jacket was made of the same material
as the work overalls. It was closed with 4 plastic buttons and had three
front patch pockets. Noncommissioned officers stenciled their rank on the
shirt and jacket sleeves.
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USMCWR Work Jacket
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.Shoes
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| Dark brown shoes were worn both for summer
and winter during working hours. For drill and military duty requiring
prolonged standing, oxford style shoes with beige cotton stockings were
used.
Different styles of shoes (with different moderate
heel heights) were permitted. |
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USMCWR Oxford Shoes
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Moccasin Toe Type USMCWR
Shoes
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| Medium-height heeled pumps and silk or rayon
stockings were worn with dress uniforms. Women Marines who worked in an
office or other jobs involving less walking were permitted to wear pumps. |
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Dark brown calfskin pumps trimmed with a flat
bow were worn by many Women Marines. Plain dark brown pumps without the
bow were also used. |
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| White pumps were worn with the summer dress
uniforms. Some were trimmed with a bow, as shown on the left. Plain pumps
without a bow were also used. |
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Women Marines initially wore different types
of low-heeled shoes with their fatigue uniform until special field shoes
for women became officially available.
Later during the war, the Marine Corps issued
female field shoes similar to the pattern of the Army women's field shoes. |
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Bags
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| The handbag for women Marines was made of
dark brown buffalo leather. It was fitted with an adjustable shoulder strap
worn over the left shoulder (leaving the right hand free to salute).
The handbag had a steel nib clasp and an olive
drab lining that included three inner pockets.
During the summer, a light green cover with
strap made of cotton gabardine was worn over the dark brown handbag.
Light Green Summer Cover
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USMCWR Handbag
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Inside View
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A duffle bag was used for carrying clothes
and other items. It was made of khaki canvas. Female Marines received the
same duffle bag as male Marines.
The individual's name, the identification number
and USMC-WR- was printed on both sides of the bag.
Left Picture:
USMC Duffle Bag
with USMC-WR markings |
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Gloves, Mufflers, Handkerchiefs
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Gloves worn with the winter uniform were dark
brown matching the shoes and handbag in color. White fabric gloves were
prescribed with the summer uniform.
A scarlet red muffler was worn with the winter
uniform. A white rayon muffler could be used during the summer.
Handkerchiefs could be khaki if the khaki
shirt was worn. Otherwise, a white handkerchief was prescribed. |
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Dress Regulations
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Women Marines were not allowed to wear civilian
clothing after being issued their uniforms.
Jewelry
Plain rings, watches, wedding and engagement rings
and identification bracelets could be worn. Earrings, anklets, necklaces
or fancy jewelry were not allowed under any circumstances.
Hair
Women’s hair length could touch but not cover
the collar. Hair coloring was permitted, but if used was required to match
identification card information. All hair ornamentation was expressly forbidden.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics were permissible but not in excess that
distracted from uniform appearance. Lipstick and nail polish was encouraged
to match or blend with the scarlet hat cord (in winter and summer).
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| "The Marine Corps wants you to look your best
at all times. The uniforms you will wear have been designed to be comfortable,
practical and extremely attractive. When you don them for the first time
you will know the pride of wearing a uniform that is a symbol of valor
and bravery everywhere."
Source: United States Marine
Corps Women's Reserve, MCP 117944, 10-28-43 50M. |
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( A special treatise about the use of cosmetics
by service women
during WWII can be found under: Reenactor's
Guide: )
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[ I. Development ]..[
II. Facts about the USMCWR]..[
III. Uniforms ]..[
IV. Sources ]
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