Navy Nurse Corps
(NNC)
. ....III. Uniforms
-. Insignia
-. Medals and Ribbons
-. Service and Dress Uniform
-. Work Attire
-. Flight Nurse's Apparel
-. Miscellaneous
-. Dress Regulations
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Dress Regulations
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Required Items

Members of the Navy Nurse Corps were required to possess all of the articles of uniform hereinafter prescribed, except the raincoat, which was an optional item of uniform.

(Most of the following information are taken from 
"The Naval Officer's Guide" by Athur A. Ageton, 1943/1944)

a) Indoor Uniform

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6 uniforms, indoor , white. Cuff links, white.
3 caps, indoor with markings. 1 cape.
2 pairs pin-on corps devices. 1 sweater.
Shoes white oxfords with rubber heels. 1 raincoat, blue
Hose, plain white. 1 cap, outdoor blue
Additionally, a slate gray dress was authorized  in May 1944 as work attire and the WAVES' seersucker working uniform (for Navy Nurses serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations) in August 1944.

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b) Outdoor Uniform

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Blue Uniform
White Uniform
Blue Suit. White Suit
Blue Overcoat with shoulder marks (as required by weather). ----
Blue or white cap with corps device
(replaced by Naval officer's cap device in August 1944).
White cap with corps device
(replaced by Naval officer's cap device in August  1944).
White shirt, with neckband and long sleeves. White Shirt
Black four-in-hand tie. Black four-in-hand tie.
Black oxford shoes.
Later in the war, plain black pumps permitted
White oxford shoes.
Later in the war, plain white pumps permitted
Black hose.
(replaced by beige hose in December 1944)
White hose.
(replaced by beige hose in August 1944)
Gray gloves.
(replaced by black gloves in December 1944).
White gloves for dress occasions.
White gloves.
Purse - black envelope style. Purse - black envelope style.
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Wearing of the Uniform
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"Officers should make every endeavor to present a smart appearance (...) Uniforms should give the appearance of being freshly pressed, the linen should be clean; (...) the stripes should be new enough to present a pleasing appearance; the shoes should be neatly shined; and the cap should be new enough to be well shaped and its gold should present a good appearance, all of which contribute to the general impression of a smartly dressed officer."

a) Indoor Uniform

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"The indoor uniform shall be worn when on duty in hospitals, in hospital ships, in dispensaries, and whenever prescribed by the Commanding Officer.
During the probationary period or until the indoor uniform outfit can be procured, any plain white uniform may be worn, but it must confirm with regulation uniform in length of skirt (not more than 16 inches from the floor) and sleeves (long), and, in addition, nurses will be required to wear the Navy Nurse Corps indoor cap, white cuff links, plain white hose and plain white oxfords with rubber heels."

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b) Outdoor Uniform

"(1) The outdoor uniform shall be worn at all times when the wearing of the indoor uniform is not indicated. The same regualtion for officers in reference to the wearing of the uniform at home or quarters and at exercise applies also to the members of the Navy Nurse Corps.
(2) Indoors under conditions when men are customarily uncovered (theater, church, meals, etc.) members of the Navy Nurse Corps, if they prefer, may wear their street caps. Under these conditions it is considered that the cap is worn not as a badge of office, but in conformance with civilian rather than military custom."

The uniform should be worn at all times by officers when out of their home or quarters, except when actually exercising, in which case they are permitted to wear civilian clothing appropriate to the sport in which they are engaging. The uniform need not to be worn at home or in quarters when not more than two guests are present.

The blue uniform was worn when blue is worn by male Naval officers. The white uniform was worn when working or white uniform was worn by male officers.

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 (((A special treatise about he use of cosmetics by service women during WWII
can be found here: Reenactor's Guide )
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Care of the Uniform
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"a. Necessity to Care of Uniform and Equipment
The longest service of the various articles of the prescribed uniform can be obtained only by proper care and maintenance. The information given here is presented in order that the useful life of uniforms and equipment may be prolonged, and also that they may be worn with the justifiable pride which should distinguish a naval or military uniform.

b. General Care
No matter how well fitting a uniform, and especially the coat, is when new, it will not continue to look its best or keep its shape unless it is carefully put on and kept buttoned. The carrying of large and heavy objects in the pockets will speedily destroy the shape of the best coat.

c. To fold a coat
Spread it out, lining down, on a table and turn up the collar. Straighten out the sleeves and fold each side from the lapel notch, bringing lower corners to center seam. Fold the coat over once on center seam. If the container will not allow the coat to be packed at its full length, turn the sleeves up at the elbow before folding the coat.

d. Moths
Frequent brushing and exposure to sunshine and fresh air will effectually prevent moths. If uniforms are to be put away for a long time and left undisturbed, thoroughly clean and then pack away with camphor balls, naphthalene, cedar wood, or balls of cotton saturated with turpentine.

e. To Remove Oil or Grease from Blue Uniforms
Soap a piece of blue cloth in chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, petroleum benzene, benzyl, or acetone, and rub the spot briskly. The stain will be washed out. The solvent will be rapidly evaporated.

f. To Remove Kerosene
Wash in a solution of warm soapy water.

g. To Remove Paint Stains from Blue Uniforms
Paint stains, while still fresh, can be removed by use of the method given above for removing oil or grease. Old and hard paint stains are difficult to remove and oftentimes impossible. The best treatment for old paint stains is to rub them hard with a piece of blue cloth saturated in turpentine.

h. Paraffin, Wax, etc.
Place blotting paper over the spot and apply a hot iron to the blotting paper. Continue this, using clean blotting paper, until the spot is removed.

i. Iodine Stains
Iodine stains can be readily removed by applying a solution of "hypo" (sometimes called "anticolor") used in photography, or sodium hyposulphite, and then rinsing thoroughly with water. It may also be removed by using starch as prepared for laundry purposes. Immerse the stained part in the starch and boil; the stain first turns blue then disappears.

j. Chocolate
Cover the stain with borax and wash with cold water, then pour boiling water on the stain and rub vigorously between the hands. When dry, sponge with naphtha, chloroform, or benzene.

k. To Remove Rust, Ink, or Fruit Stains from White Uniforms
Soak the stained part in a solution of oxalic acid, or put some powdered oxalic or sodium or potassium acid oxalate on the stain previously moistened with water and rub with a piece of white cotton or linen. The stain will dissolve and can be washed out with water. Oxalic acid and its soluble salts are very poisonous, and care should be taken in handling them. 

l. Care of Gold Lace
Gold lace will rapidly tarnish and deteriorate if in contact with or hung near any substance containing sulphur, such as rubber or ordinary manila and Kraft wrapping paper.

m. To Remove Tarnish from Gold Lace
Gold lace may be cleaned by dipping it in solution of potassium cyanide and rinsing it thoroughly with water. The use of potassium cyanide is very dangerous, as it is a powerful poison, and extreme care must be exercised. Never under any circumstance, use it if the hands have cuts or scratches. In any case, it is much safer to have an experienced tailor clean gold lace. 

n. Mildew
If stain is recent, simply use cold water. If it is an old stain, bleach.

o. To Clean Buttons That Have Turned Green
Buttons sometimes turn green when the gold plating is worn off and the copper base becomes covered with green copper carbonate due to the exposure to moist air. This can be removed by rubbing gently with acetic acid or any substance containing this acid, such as vinegar or Worcestershire sauce, followed by a thorough washing in fresh water and drying.

p. To Remove Shine from Serge Uniforms
The spot to be treated should be steamed by laying a wet cloth over it pressing with a hot iron and then rubbing it very gently with a piece of "00" sandpaper or emery cloth. This should be done by a regular tailor.

q. To Repair and Clean Cut in a Serge or Cloth Uniform
A clean cut in a serge or cloth uniform can be repaired by being rewoven with threads drawn from the material in another part of the garment. This must be done by an experienced tailor. This process is rather expensive but a cut so repaired cannot be detected after being rewoven.

r. To Remove a Singe Mark
A light singe mark on a blue serge or cloth should be rubbed vigorously with the flat side of a silver coin. In many cases, this will make a great improvement in appearance. It is, however, not effective against bad singes or scorches. 

s. Cap Devices
These and other embroidered insignia may be kept new and bright by scrubbing them occasionally with a nailbrush and ammonia which has been diluted with water. This should be done as soon as there are any signs of tarnishing or corrosion. If corrosion has been allowed to continue for a long period, the device cannot be restored to its original condition. 

t. Metal Cap Devices
The gold part of this device may be cleaned by washing it with soap and water or by rubbing it with any kind of polishing cloth; the sterling silver part can be cleaned with any silver polish.
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continue to:
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Insignia
Medals and Ribbons
Service and Dress Uniform
Work Attire
Flight Nurse's Apparel
Miscellaneous
Dress Regulations
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[ I. Development ]..[ II. Facts about the NNC ]..[ III. Uniforms ]..[ IV. Sources ]
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