1. A J.C. Penney Co. designed Cadet Nurses Corps uniform. Free fashionable uniforms were actually used as a recruiting tool for women during WWII, and top fashion designers often competed to design new uniforms.

    A J.C. Penney Co. designed Cadet Nurses Corps uniform. Free fashionable uniforms were actually used as a recruiting tool for women during WWII, and top fashion designers often competed to design new uniforms.

  2. A very dapper man’s New York National Guard jacket. The black band on the arm indicates the wearer was in mourning, 1918.

    A very dapper man’s New York National Guard jacket. The black band on the arm indicates the wearer was in mourning, 1918.

  3. The uniform of a Navy Yeoman (F), the ‘F’ standing for ‘female’. Yeoman (F)s, or Yeomanettes as the were commonly called, were the first women to hold a place in the regular US Navy Reserve. Most held clerical positions, but few became radio operators, electricians, pharmacists, photographers, torpedo assemblers, and other specialists. The last Yeoman (F) was discharged in 1921.

    The uniform of a Navy Yeoman (F), the ‘F’ standing for ‘female’. Yeoman (F)s, or Yeomanettes as the were commonly called, were the first women to hold a place in the regular US Navy Reserve. Most held clerical positions, but few became radio operators, electricians, pharmacists, photographers, torpedo assemblers, and other specialists. The last Yeoman (F) was discharged in 1921.

  4. The very plain uniform of US Navy Read Admiral Charles P. Plunkett, 1918.

    The very plain uniform of US Navy Read Admiral Charles P. Plunkett, 1918.

  5. A great image of a female driver for the Red Cross Motor Corps, 1917.

    A great image of a female driver for the Red Cross Motor Corps, 1917.

  6. A 1916-1918 woman’s Motor Corps of America uniform. The Motor Corps was a woman’s first opportunity to serve in the US Armed Forces in a position other than nursing. Women from the Motor Corps served as drivers of ambulances and other vehicles both at home and abroad.

    A 1916-1918 woman’s Motor Corps of America uniform. The Motor Corps was a woman’s first opportunity to serve in the US Armed Forces in a position other than nursing. Women from the Motor Corps served as drivers of ambulances and other vehicles both at home and abroad.

  7. A World War I Army Nurse’s outdoor uniform. Designed by Abercrombie & Fitch. (Yes, really.)

    A World War I Army Nurse’s outdoor uniform. Designed by Abercrombie & Fitch. (Yes, really.)

  8. A 1906 National Guard uniform. The presence of jodhpurs suggests that this was worn by a cavalryman.

    A 1906 National Guard uniform. The presence of jodhpurs suggests that this was worn by a cavalryman.

  9. This circa 1863 Union uniform was actually made in Portugal. During the Civil War many Northern uniforms were made in Europe and imported.

    This circa 1863 Union uniform was actually made in Portugal. During the Civil War many Northern uniforms were made in Europe and imported.

  10. The 1862 jacket of an Assistant Surgeon in the Medical Service, shows how military uniforms had remained virtually unchanged since the Revolutionary War.

    The 1862 jacket of an Assistant Surgeon in the Medical Service, shows how military uniforms had remained virtually unchanged since the Revolutionary War.