Women's Reserve of the
Coast Guard
(SPARS)
... III. Uniforms
.
-. Insignia
-. Medals and Ribbons
-. Service and Dress Uniform
-. Work Attire
-. Miscellaneous
-. Dress Regulations
 
.
The uniform of the Navy WAVES was also adopted for the SPARS in accordance with the already existing similarity of uniforms between male Navy and Coast Guard personnel. The different services could be recognized by the distinctive insignia and buttons only. At the beginning the SPARS uniforms were acquired from the Navy, until the Coast Guard took over full responsibility for uniform matters pertaining to SPARS in June 1943. 
 
There were three types of basic uniform: 
- navy-blue wool (service dress, blue)
- white summer uniform (service dress, white)
- working uniform
.
Service and Dress Uniform

Service Dress, Blue, A

.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Service Dress, Blue, A
(Enlisted Personnel)
.
The picture shows the uniform of a
petty officer second class..
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Service Dress, Blue, A
(Officers)
.
The picture shows the uniform of a SPARS officer
in the rank of  Lieutenant 
.
* The Service Dress, Blue A for enlisted personnel consisted of the following items: ... *. The Service Dress, Blue A for officers consisted of the following items:
*. Cap:
Soft brimmed for enlisted personnel with navy blue cover
*. Cap:
SPARS officer's cap with Coast Guard officer's device and navy blue cover
*. Suit:
Navy blue jacket with matching skirt.
Jackets for enlisted SPARS had blue Coast Guard plastic buttons and a rating badge with specialty mark or a distinguishing mark on the left sleeve. 
The White Coast Guard shield was worn on the lower right sleeve.
*. Suit:
Navy blue jacket with matching skirt.
Jackets for SPARS officers had gilt Coast Guard buttons and reserve blue sleeve braids indicating the rank.
The gold embroidered Coast Guard shield was sewn above the braids on both sleeves.
*. Shirt & Tie:
Navy blue shirt worn with reserve blue tie.
Reserve-blue shirt or white shirt with black tie for dress occasions only.
*. Shirt & Tie:
White shirt with black tie or navy blue shirt worn with reserve blue tie
Reserve blue shirt with black tie for work.
*. Gloves:
Black gloves, white gloves optional for dress occasions
*. Gloves:
Black gloves, white gloves optional for dress occasions 
*. Stockings:
Beige hose
*. Stockings:
Beige hose
*. Shoes:
Black Oxfords or plain pumps with 2 inch heels
*. Shoes:
Black Oxfords or plain pumps with 2 inch heels
.
The service dress was made of navy blue woolen cloth. Officers were allowed to obtain additional uniforms of worsted wool or gabardine for spring and fall. The jacket had a four-button front and the collars had rounded ends with peaked lapels. The jacket had two upper pocket flaps (without real pockets underneath). Instead, there were two inside upper pockets. 
.
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY

The 6-panel skirt had six gores with two inset pockets at the front. 
Some jobs required the wear of slacks. These were made of the same material and matched the color of the jackets being worn. The slacks were pleated at the waist, had two side pockets and were closed with a zipper fastener. Slacks for SPARS were introduced in early 1943.

...
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY

.

.
Service Dress, Blue, B
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Service Dress, Blue, B
(Enlisted Personnel)
...... The Service Dress, Blue B consisted of the same items as Service Dress Blue A except that the cap was worn with the white cover and white gloves instead of black ones. 
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Service Dress, Blue, B
(Officers)
.
A female style garrison cap for SPARS was authorized in early 1945. The garrison cap worn with the service dress blue was made of navy blue wool matching the service jacket and skirt.
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Garrison Cap, Blue
(Enlisted Personnel)
...
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Garrison Cap, Blue
(Officers) 
.
Service Dress, White
.
The Service Dress, White consisted of the following items:
* white jacket with matching skirt
* white shirt with black tie
* cap with white hat cover
* beige hose
* white shoes and white gloves
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Service Dress White
(Enlisted Personnel)
.v
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Service Dress White
(Officers)
.
Officers wore navy blue sleeve braids with a gold Coast Guard shield sewn above. The jacket was closed with gilt Coast Guard buttons. Enlisted personnel wore a navy blue Coast Guard shield on the right sleeve. Qualified personnel wore rating badges and distinguishing marks on the left sleeve. The jacket was closed with navy blue Coast Guard plastic buttons.
A white handbag in the same style as the black handbag could be carried with the Service Dress, White. The black handbag could have a white fabric slipcover (but the black shoulder straps had to be removed). 
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Garrison Cap, White
(Enlisted Personnel)
...
A female style garrison cap could be worn with the Service Dress, White. 
...
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Garrison Cap, White
(Officers)
.
Winter Overcoat
.
The overcoat for enlisted personnel was made of navy blue woolen cloth. The double breasted front had a double row of four blue Coast Guard plastic buttons. The coat was closed with three main buttons on the left side. If necessary, it could be also worn buttoned at the neck using the uppermost left button. The collar had rounded ends and peaked lapels. The coat had two vertical, welted pockets at the front. The wearing of mufflers made of white silk, rayon or wool was optional. The white Coast Guard shield was worn on the lower right sleeve. 
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
.Overcoat
(Enlisted Personnel)
...
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
.
The back of the coat was held by a one or two piece half belt. The two piece belt was closed with two blue Coast Guard  plastic buttons.
.
The overcoat for officers was the same as for enlisted SPARS, except that it had gilt Coast Guard buttons and reserve blue sleeve stripes indicating the rank. The Coast Guard officer's shield was sewn above the sleeve stripes. 
.
Raincoat.
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
.. The double breasted raincoat had a double row of five navy blue plain plastic buttons and was made of navy blue, water repellent fabric. It had raglan sleeves and a full belt. Its collar was convertible like the overcoat collar. Additionally, it had a storm tab. 

The raincoat was equipped with a removable liner. No distinctive Coast Guard features and no insignia were worn on the raincoat.

.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
.
A rain hat cover called "havelock" was available in winter and summer weight material.
.
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
.v The havelock for summer wear was made of navy blue water repellent material.

It was so constructed that it could be worn over the hat with the brim fitting into a flap in front of the havelock.

The full cut side of the havelock hung down to the shoulders.

.
continue to:
.
Insignia
Medals and Ribbons
Service and Dress Uniform
Work Attire
Miscellaneous
Dress Regulations
.
.
[ I. Development ]..[ II. Facts about the SPARS ]..[ III. Uniforms ]..[ IV. Sources ]
.

.
 [Homepage]
...