El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-11-02
WOMEN LIKE To
WEAR UNIFORMS
Scores and Scores of Diff
ferent Designs Now Used
In Service.
DE- FREpERIC J. HAsKIN.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 2.-This
IS the first war in which women,
other than nurses. have worn uni
ferns. So far. the effect is anything
but uniform. Fifty-seve2 varieties of
women's uniforms. representing every
'-5erViceable" shade and cut can be
counted by a careful observer at any
busy street corner To explain the
exact points wherein each differs from
the others would overtax any mascu-
line mind, but according to the woman
the uniform she is wearing is entirely
different from that Of any other or
ganization and decidedly the most
stylish and suitable Of the collection.
A month after the United States en-
tered the war, 20 official women's
uniforms were cataloged, and the
number has increased so rapidly that
even those who mastered the mystic
ries of army and navy insignia long
since have given up the idea Of identi-
flying the wOmen's war toys.
Uniforms Galore.
Nearly every feminine war service
organization has adopted a uniform,
not merely to promote esprit de corps,
but because practical dress was a
necessity. If women are to drive and
repair automobiles make shells, man
age canteens near the front, and bale
.
The workers themselves at once real
lied this.
IN factories. the accepted uniform
s0r the women workers-if It is a
unifor-consists Of blouse and over
ais. with a cap and goggles. If neces-
sary. Fly away hair, fluttering rib
bons and frills are barred as a pre-
caution against accidents
On the farm, overaIls and blue
blouse are accompanied by a big straw
hat instead Of the factory cap. Stray
curls and bows do not assume great
importance here, and the farmerette
can make herself as attractive as she
likes for the edification Of a chance
hired man
Army and Navy Designed.
Most Of the dresses Of canteen
workers, motor drivers, and office
workers are modelled after army and
navy designs. Good and bad points of
army and navy uniforms have become
matters for serious consideration by
women on uniform selecting commit I
tees The soldier who became en-
narrassed because young woman
stared at him in the street car was
needlessly concerned. for the critic !
was only studying the set of his col |
lar and counting the buttons on his
coat
Need for uniforms by war workers
in the fled is apparent; but regarding /,
standardized dress for clerical forces /
engaged in war service there are
varying opinions.
Women In the Navy.
Girl yeomen in both navy and ma
rines are considered a part Of the /
force and wear uniforms especially 4
designed for them The dress Of the 4
marinettes, as the girl clerks OF the
marines are sometimes called, is a
s-rs- Il ~ Z
form. with overseas cap and tailored I
Jacket When on duty the marinette
wears the uniform at all times as per
orders from headquarters. but when
off duty she is exempted from the
ruling that all fighting forces shall
wear the uniform at all times in time
Of war.
Clerks OF the war department have
only recently become interested in
uniforms Swivel chair officers wea-
uniforms say the girls we are told
that We are really helping to win the
war. so why shouldn't we have a
Uniform This uniform proposition
has been placed before the young
women employed in the war depart
ment branches and il IS found that
the majority are in favor Of wearing
I uniform Several models were Sc
ected and displayed on pretty young
clerks before the general staff and a
Of war department girls.
The girls quickly picked out a silver
brown suit with bronze buttons and
soft. helmet shaped hat, but the gen
aral staff withheld opinion as to the
ldvisabilitv Of any uniform.
Uniform Has Its Value.
From the girls point Of view
Uniform IS an advantage TO an office
worker, because it Identifies her as in
war sirvice- Then too. it has a de-
sided effect upon the wearer herself
As one girl in uniform puts It. war
work seems more important when you
wear a uniform
Women are willing and eager to
wear a uniform for the same reason
hat 2 man wishes TO wear one. It IS
badge Of service-in this case. Of
service 20 the country.
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