Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is a wonderful and rather rare set of US Naval Reserved Blue Service Dress Uniform. WWII US Navy WAVES items are particularly difficult to come across in recent years due to the small number of women who served in the element. Coming across a uniform set in this kind of condition is another rarity!
Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service “WAVES” was the US Naval Reserve Women’s branch established on July 21, 1942. The branch was established to replace men stationed ashore to provide more sea duty sailors and officers. By the end of 1942, there were 770 WAVES Officers and 3,109 enlisted. In 1945 these numbers had grown to 8,475 officers and 73,816 enlisted. Following the War, many WAVES were demobilized, however the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in 1948 was signed into law allowing women to serve in the regular Navy. The term WAVES continued in usage for Navy women until the 1970’s. The WAVES uniforms were custom designed by Mainbocher, the famous New York fashion house. The uniforms included a white style uniform, a seersucker version with gray and white stripes, and a blue version.
The blue service coat, blue skirt, and black tie (missing) are components of both the Service Dress Blue A and Service Dress Blue B WAVES uniforms. The full uniform included a black purse, black shoes, blue service coat, blue skirt, hat or garrison cap, blouse, black tie, and beige hose. White gloves were authorized if the occasion required. This set only includes the service coat and skirt.
The only difference between the Service Dress Blue A and Service Dress Blue B uniforms was the hat. The A uniform had a blue hat while the B uniform had a white hat. Both served as the working uniforms for WAVES.
The blouse could be either short or long-sleeved. It could be white or light blue, also called reserve blue. Both white and reserve blue blouses were worn with a black tie. A navy blue shirt was also authorized but only when worn with a reserve blue tie.
There is no shoulder insignia present though the WAVES patch insignia is present on both epaulets. The gold buttons on the coat indicate that this uniform dates from after 28 December 1944. At that time Chief Petty Officers were authorized to wear gilt buttons on their blue and white service coats rather than the plastic buttons required for all other enlisted personnel.
This uniform set is a wonderful example and is offered without any extensive damage aside from the tailor’s tag almost completely detached from the interior lining.
Comes more than ready for further research and display.
Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 98"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14”
Chest width: 17.5"
Waist width: 15"
Hip width: 17"
Front length: 25"
Pants
Waist: 12"
Inseam: 24"
