Feb. 02, 1954 - New W.R.A.F. Uniform for Home and Overseas: New designs for No....

Feb. 02, 1954 - New W.R.A.F. Uniform for Home and Overseas: New designs for No. 1 Home Dress uniforms for both officers and airwomen of the Women's Royal Air Force have now been approved and a new tropical dress has been designed for wear by all ranks in tropical climates. The design of the present No. 1 Dress for officers and airwoman of the W.R.A.F. is, with the exception of the skirt based on the service dress of the R.A.F. The new uniforms have been designed by Mr. Victor Stiebel specifically for the feminine figure; the jacket is shorter, the shoulders less square and the waist more emphasised. The close fitting, single breasted jacket is beltless, has four gilt R.A.F. buttons, and is cut away in front with well rounded corners. The two front and back panels have piped seams. Unlike the present style, the jacket has no breast pockets, but has two pockets below the waist. The slightly flared skirt with six panels is considered more practical and becoming that the present straight skirt. The officers' uniform differs from the airwomen's in the design of the pockets and will continue to be made of blue-grey barathea. The airwomen's designs will be made of blue-grey worsted serge as before. Except on ceremonial occasions when black service - pattern laced shoes are worn, the new style uniforms may be worn with plain black punched calf welted court shoes. The court shoes will be an optional item of dress which may be purchased by both officers and airwomen. Officers will shortly be able to order the new design from their tailors and it is hoped that the first supplies of the new uniforms for the airwomen will be received early in 1955. Photo shows (l to r): Officer New Style, worn by Squadron Officer Mary Laslett; the new Tropical dress - of one piece, worn by Leading Aircraftwoman Renee Morton; and Airwoman New Style, worn by Sergeant Audrey Jackson