The Washington herald., 1918-01-14
FEMININE UNIFORMS.
LUCILLE CAMERON.

| LUCILE CAnEhON.
Now that our little Navy Depart
ment yeogirls are going to appear
very soon in a natty uniform of
dark sea blue with brass buttons and
everything. it seems time to mention
the fact that they are not the only
proud feminine possessors Of uni
forms. No. indeed.
Besides that garb of honor, the Red
Cross uniform. there are a number OF
strictly military get-ups that are
being worn throughout the country
by various womens leagues and serv-
ice associations. Some of these have
been seen around town and some of
them haven't I'll tell you about both
kinds.
OF course. everyone remembers the
gray uniform worn by a prominenC
local matron identified with the Am
bulance Corps, which has added to
the interest of our streets from time
to time. Cut on the strictly severe
lines of a riding habit, it consisted of
a knee-length coat and riding trou-
sers of gray English worsted. Gray
bone buttons were the appropriate
medium Of fastening. A tiny hat OF
gray worsted was shaped on the lines
of an aviator's cap with a red cross
sewn to the front. Regulation puttees
completed this very serviceable uni
form.
The National Woman's Service
League, which is rapidly extending
its membership all over the country,
f9 4f h. -.
to utilize its women to the utmost
practical advantage in war work.
There are two uniforms worn by the
members of this association, one the
prescribed garb for active members
and the other a specially designed
costume for members of the motor
service branch. The standard uni
form is an admirable little frock Of
deep blue cloth cut on straight, al
most smocklIke lines. A narrow belt
outlines, but does not confine the
waist. Two flap pockets on the waist
hold small articles. Brass buttons
down the front, on the sleeves and
fastening the pockets add the desired
soldier-like effect 'ich is accentu-
ated by a full n Iry cape which
comes well below the hips. A straight
brimmed blue felt sailor is the crown
ing touch.
When q member of the Service
League joins the motor corps, which
in New York has been doing yeoman
emergency work for the various war
committees, she adopts a set of olive
drab regimentaH which make her
look as though she were on her way
to the front, sure enough. There Ia a
plain and narrow skirt which COM
plies with every demand of cloth con-
servation. The khaki coat is on the
English model with notched collar
and delightful bellows pockets. In
blouses and ties one may suit ones
own sweet fancy. but usually a khaki
tinted blouse and tie is worn. Tan
puttees and a regulation olive drab
service cap are in order. And some of
the members who want to be very
smart, indeed, invest in Sam Browne
belts.
A New England miss, who is visit
ing here, has a snappy little uniform
which goes with her membership in
her home city Home Defense League.
A knee-length coat Of olive drab is
belted somewhat in the style of a
Norfolk. The collar Is notched, a la
Tommy, and there are more enchan'-
ing pockets than one can count. Olive
drab breeches, puttees and a rakish
campaign hat go to the making of a
real soldier girl.
When Miss America goes in for the
Red Cross how many different off,
cial costumes do you think she has?
One. Wrong. She has four. A whit.
uniform for dress, a gray crepe for
service, a warm serge uniform for
travelling and a complete rainy-weath-
er outfit. Everyone knows the beau
tiful white Uniform with Its scarlet
cross on cap and sleeve, the snowy
apron and kerchief and canvas shoes
that go with it. But "over there It
was found that the lack of laundry
arrangements made this uniform very
Impractical. So nurses in ward duty
now wear uniform of soft gray
crepe which does not need ironing,
White collars, cuffs, arm bands and
caps are In pleasant. contrast.
Perhaps q young woman has passed
you on the street clad in plainly-cut
blue with fascinating blue army
cape lined with red and jauntyl blue
felt hat. And you wondered who she
was. Well, that was a Red Cross
nurse In travelling costume. This SEN
sible. warm uniform means perfect
comfort in travelling and an increased
efficiency on entering duty. And rain
doesn't bother a nurse a bit. Why
should 1t, when she has q long slick
er, rubber boots. just like little BROTH
er's, and a rubber hat that Is near