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Fashion — 1942

Jacket, military uniform jacket

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This tweed jacket and matching skirt is part of a WVS uniform. It was worn by the donor's mother who lived in Farrindgon, Berkshire. The badges at the bottom of the right sleeve read 'WVS Civil Defence', 'Berkshire' and also include three red stripes. The label inside the breast pocket bears the words: 'SUITS WVS (JACKETS) / Size OSR / Bust 42 Waist 34 Hips 46 / John Barran & Sons Ltd. 1942'.

The Women's Voluntary Services was launched on 16 June 1938 but a uniform were not available until June 1939. The London couturier Digby Morton had been persuaded to design a suit, blouse and overcoat, but only the latter and a hat were initially available. In October and December 1939 a tweed jacket and skirt, red blouse, overalls, embroidered badges and scarves were also launched. The uniform was not provided to members of the WVS but had to be bought.

The WVS undertook a wide variety of tasks following its founder's, Lady Reading's maxim that if the job needed doing, it was done. Members of the WVS organised (but did not deliver) first aid courses, collected clothing for the needy and provided food and drink during air raids.

Category:
Fashion
Object ID:
80.416/2
Object name:
jacket, military uniform jacket
Object type:

jacket, military uniform jacket

Artist/Maker:
John Barran and Sons Ltd
Related people:

Related events:

Related places:

Production date:
1942
Material:

wool, synthetic fibre (unidentified)

Measurements/duration:
L 701 mm (overall), L 500 mm (centre front), L 691 mm (centre back), C 554 (chest), W 462 mm (armpit to armpit), W 488 mm (hem, full extent) (overall)
Part of:
—
On display:
—
Record quality:
80%
Part of this object:
—
Owner Status & Credit:

Permanent collection

Copyright holder:

digital image © London Museum

Image credit:
—
Creative commons usage:
—
License this image:

To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.

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