16/05/2026
Images from Duxford VE flying day last weekend. I finally dug out the WAC off duty dress from my personal collection.
In May 1944 the War Department approved an off-duty dress for the WAC. It was issued to enlisted personnel. Officers were also able to purchase the dress, if they wished to.
The one-piece dress has a convertible collar, fly-front closing with slide fastener, shoulder loops, two tailored breast pockets and a detachable belt with self-material covered buckle. The summer off-duty dress was made of beige rayon shantung while the winter off-duty dress was made of horizon tan wool crepe.
Enlisted personnel wore the dress with enlisted collar insignia and the garrison cap with green-yellow braid. Commissioned personnel wore it with officer's insignia and female officers garrison cap with black-gold braid.
The winter dress was worn with the wool garrison cap (as you see above). WAC’s were also authorised to wear leather dress gloves and the dress scarf (under the coat only and not tucked into the neck of the dress) with the winter off-duty dress. With the weather being rather hot last weekend, I thought it best to leave the coat at home!
