I love thrift store shopping. You really never know what you're going to find! Living in a town with a military post means finding lots of military issue clothing in the thrift stores, from fatigues to dress uniforms. A couple days ago while thrift store shopping my husband snuck up behind me and whispered, "Hey! Look what I found!!" He handed me this sweater. It had a government issue label inside and was obviously quite old but in good condition. It is a size 42-44, olive drab lightweight and somewhat scratchy wool pullover. I thought the yoke and collar combo was really interesting. I bought it and brought it home.
For being a size 42-44 it really wasn't that big on me (size 34). It fit just like a comfy sweatshirt, and I think once it is washed with a bit of Eucalan (see previous post!) I think it will soften right up.
A bit of Googling seems to suggest that this is a WWII era sweater. I can just imagine my grandfathers, one in the Pacific front, and the other in North Africa, wearing these sweaters under their uniforms. I had a hard time finding information on standard issue clothing, but I'm sure there is lots of information out that there I just didn't find. The thinness of the fabric would suggest to me that this was one of many layers worn with the uniform, and for the soldiers in Bastogne and other cold parts of Europe I'm sure they were happy to have them. If anyone reading this knows of any resources on WWII uniforms I'd love to read about it. History of costume is one of my particular interests; I like to know the 'whys' behind what we have worn throughout history.
For being a size 42-44 it really wasn't that big on me (size 34). It fit just like a comfy sweatshirt, and I think once it is washed with a bit of Eucalan (see previous post!) I think it will soften right up.
A bit of Googling seems to suggest that this is a WWII era sweater. I can just imagine my grandfathers, one in the Pacific front, and the other in North Africa, wearing these sweaters under their uniforms. I had a hard time finding information on standard issue clothing, but I'm sure there is lots of information out that there I just didn't find. The thinness of the fabric would suggest to me that this was one of many layers worn with the uniform, and for the soldiers in Bastogne and other cold parts of Europe I'm sure they were happy to have them. If anyone reading this knows of any resources on WWII uniforms I'd love to read about it. History of costume is one of my particular interests; I like to know the 'whys' behind what we have worn throughout history.
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