AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER UNIFORM

Creator(s): Stein Uniform Co. (Manufacturer) , The Uniform Shop (Manufacturer)

Currently in storage

About this object

This bright yellow uniform was purchased from a commercial uniform vendor and altered for Mrs. Post. The garment closes down center front with shell buttons and buttonholes on a self, turned-back facing. The closure forms a turned down, peaked collar. White linen is used as an accent at the collar, shoulder epaulette and short sleeved cuff. The uniform is cut in a princess line with flat-feld seams for durability. Two patch pockets with a decorative turned-down cuff are double stitched to the skirt front. A smaller breast pocket is embellished with a red cross patch. A 2" wide fabric waist belt is permanently attached at center back and closes at center front with a button and buttonhole. The elbow length sleeves are gathered at the sleeve cap to create an extended shoulder supported by an interior fabric wing. The uniform was worn with a cornette shaped cap of starched white linen with a red cross insignia at center front. The cap was customized by the addition of a yellow square scarf of sheer crepe, hand applied on the diagonal to the lower cap edge. Narrow black ribbon ties secure the cap to the head. A yellow linen cap cover is formed from a triangular linen scarf attached to a 7" deep bill. The bill is machine stitched at the edges and on the interior for stiffening. The uniform is completed with an enameled brass pin worn on the breast pocket. The pin features an equalateral red cross over crossed gold feathers on a white ground. The yellow border is inscribed "AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER."

Object name:

AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER UNIFORM

Made from:

Linen -- crêpe -- shell -- ribbon

Made in:

Baltimore, USA

Date made:

1941-42

Size:

H. 16 in. (shoulder to waist front); H. 16 1/2 in. (shoulder to waist back); Dia. 31 1/2 in. (waist circumference); H. 27 1/2 in. (waist to hem front); H. 27 1/2 in. (waist to hem back); Dia. 79 in. (hem circumference)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

48.98.1-4

Signature marks:

LABEL: TAILORED by STEIn / UNIFORM Co. / BALTIMORE / MD [center back neck of dress; hand written in blue ink over the label is the number "18" probably referring to the size] LABEL: The Uniform Shop / 1805 CONNECTICUT AVE. / WASHINGTON, D.C. [in cap] INSCRIPTION: AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER [border of pin]

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973