Uniforms

There seems to be a thriving industry in old World War two uniforms, both original and more recent. I wanted to be a RAF officer but discovered that the way the uniforms are cut meant that I was much more of a GI. In other words, I eat like an American. So I got my genuine uniform from 1941 complete with a Vietnam service medal. Go figure, as the GIs would say.

Canon EOS1, Ilford HP5+

13 thoughts on “Uniforms”

Meanderer on 04/03/2012 at 10:29 said:

I’ve always wondered what wearing a busby must feel like. Since watching the guards at Windsor Castle when young I’ve always imagined them to be very uncomfortable with the unwieldly weight and awkwardly placed chinstrap.

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- mostlymonochrome on 04/03/2012 at 18:34 said:
  
  I wasn’t adventurous enough for a busby!
  
  Chris
  
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  - Meanderer on 07/03/2012 at 18:25 said:
    
    🙂 One day, one of us will have the opportunity again and if it’s me, I’ll post an photo of it.
    
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KatiesCameraBlog on 04/03/2012 at 14:58 said:

Eat like an American. 🙂 The photos are perfect in b&w.

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- mostlymonochrome on 04/03/2012 at 15:59 said:
  
  A 40’s American, if that’s any better!
  
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  - KatiesCameraBlog on 04/03/2012 at 16:08 said:
    
    🙂
    
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Santi on 04/03/2012 at 19:06 said:

Great series of shots!!

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eddyzone on 04/03/2012 at 21:59 said:

nice documentation my man! greets from germany^^

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Brandon Brasseaux on 05/03/2012 at 00:17 said:

Great series and so well in B&W. Really like the gray mix on the medals and emblems.

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Posky on 05/03/2012 at 16:11 said:

I’m very lean and have an affinity for vintage clothing but still have a hard time finding things that work. It seems as if the further back in time you go, the more difficult it is to find something that fits. Even though I’m thin enough to get into just about anything, I am often way too lanky for it not to look comical.

RAF uniforms appear to be made for children and their American variants aren’t really any larger. Time has constantly preferred pilots to be for a smaller stature. Even the average G.I. uniforms are pretty small- there’s just a lot more to choose from. I just don’t think people in either country were all that heavy until years after the war. Of course now the obesity rates in America are roughly 30% and rising while the United Kingdom is a few places behind at 23% (and also rising). I wonder where the tipping point was.

They should compare the average serviceman’s body in 1941 to today. I’d be interested to see the difference.

Anyway, great share and great black and whites!

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- mostlymonochrome on 05/03/2012 at 21:15 said:
  
  Thanks, some good points.
  
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David Hall on 06/03/2012 at 00:06 said:

Excellent set of photos, exposure is spot on, especially the medals. Wonderful tones.

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Cardinal Guzman on 08/03/2012 at 22:50 said:

Nice set of photos.

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