Looking for help on this wonderful uniform, if anyone can help that would be great , the neck tie is current issue , top and bottom are original

1

This is not a USN uniform, but rather a civilian woman's fashion item (i.e., "Middy" dress) from the WW1 era (give or take).

Then why the rank? Also do you have a reference

Then why the rank? Also do you have a reference

 

Part of the fashion was to wear a rate. In WW1, a woman would never be a gunner's mate.

Do internet search on "middy" for reference.

Nice example, but certainly a civilian 'middie' or 'middy' fashion item. Nautical/maritime influenced pseudo-uniforms were popular in fashion of the early 20th century (and beyond, but the heyday was in the WWI era and before). Lots of 'jumpers' or jumper style blouses and dresses were both sold with pre-applied imitations Naval style rank and rating badges, usually inspired by the real thing but nothing regulation. Sometimes real jumpers and real rates were 'repurposed' for wear by ladies into that fashion trend.

Also patches were worn I understand from a "sweet heart" or family member who was in the Navy(or served) so not uncommon to see regulation patches worn on the fashion tops....much like wearing stuff on a blue jean jacket from when dad or brother served in the military.I had stuff from a cousin plus a tiger stripe shirt I wore in the 70s

Thank you forum

As a collector of WW1 women's uniforms, I cannot tell you how many times I have been contacted to come look at a WW1 "Yeomanette" uniform--only to have the uniform turn out to be a turn-of-the (last) century women's fashion "Middy."

 

Disappointing; to say the least.

 

The most comprehensive reference on United States women's uniforms is Jill Halcomb Smith's two part volume "Dressed for Duty." That excellent reference details, among other subjects, the various uniforms worn by the Yeoman (F) Reservists during WW1.

 

It is true that a handful of the very earliest Yeoman (F) enrollees wore regulation USN men's "cracker jack" blouses before adoption of the standard uniform. A number of these early enrollees went out and had their photographs taken in their new (often borrowed) "uniforms," leaving historians and collectors to wonder whether a photo of a woman in a "Navy uniform" is indeed an early Yeomanette image or merely a circa 1916 patriotic "glamor shot."

 

The practice of Yeomanettes wearing men's uniforms was not widespread and all but ceased when the Navy adopted a distinctive uniform for the Yeoman (F) to wear:

 

CWNORMA,

 

WOW! Those are some beautiful uniforms and some EXTREMELY difficult hats to find. Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

 

TH1

A short "middy" "kiddie" write-up.

http://navycollector.com/Navy%20Images/MIddy-Kiddie%20Blouses.pdf

Some great stuff CW.

 

 

On 10/29/2019 at 11:17 AM, cwnorma said:

As a collector of WW1 women's uniforms, I cannot tell you how many times I have been contacted to come look at a WW1 "Yeomanette" uniform--only to have the uniform turn out to be a turn-of-the (last) century women's fashion "Middy."

 

Disappointing; to say the least.

 

The most comprehensive reference on United States women's uniforms is Jill Halcomb Smith's two part volume "Dressed for Duty." That excellent reference details, among other subjects, the various uniforms worn by the Yeoman (F) Reservists during WW1.

 

It is true that a handful of the very earliest Yeoman (F) enrollees wore regulation USN men's "cracker jack" blouses before adoption of the standard uniform. A number of these early enrollees went out and had their photographs taken in their new (often borrowed) "uniforms," leaving historians and collectors to wonder whether a photo of a woman in a "Navy uniform" is indeed an early Yeomanette image or merely a circa 1916 patriotic "glamor shot."

 

The practice of Yeomanettes wearing men's uniforms was not widespread and all but ceased when the Navy adopted a distinctive uniform for the Yeoman (F) to wear: