Original Items. Only One Set Available. This is a very nice original American Red Cross female worker uniform set consisting of a tailored jacket, matching skirt, and distinctive hobby hat. The jacket retains its American Red Cross shoulder insignia, four-place overseas theater ribbon bar, blood donor service badge, and a postwar 10-year service pin. Together, these insignia indicate a uniform that originated during the WWII period and continued to be worn or updated during the postwar years.

The jacket bears a manufacturer’s label from SMITH-GRAY of NEW YORK. Smith-Grey of New York manufactured women’s uniforms and is known to have supplied garments for the American Red Cross during WWII. A separate label remains inside one of the pockets, although it does not bear a visible name or date.

All of the jacket buttons remain present. An American Red Cross organization patch is sewn to the left shoulder. The left breast bears an enamel 10-year service pin. This form of longevity insignia was introduced after 1949 and therefore indicates that the jacket continued to be worn, or that its insignia was updated, after WWII.

Positioned beside the service pin is a small blood droplet badge, most likely associated with American Red Cross blood donor or blood services work. Below these badges is a four-place American Red Cross overseas theater ribbon bar representing service in:

Far Eastern Theater

European Theater of Operations

Mediterranean Theater of Operations

Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations

These were American Red Cross service distinctions rather than U.S. military campaign ribbons. They recognized Red Cross personnel who served in designated overseas theaters while supporting members of the Armed Forces.

The combination of four theater ribbons suggests broad overseas service during WWII. No name, personnel record, or accompanying documentation identifies the original wearer or establishes the sequence and duration of her assignments.

The matching skirt remains in excellent condition. A laundry label is present inside, but no name or additional identifying marking is visible.

The included hobby hat retains an enamel American Red Cross badge mounted above a cloth V device. The interior of the hat bears a size tag reading 23. No maker or ownership marking is visible inside the hat.

American Red Cross women served throughout the major theaters of WWII in service clubs, hospitals, recreation programs, clubmobiles, communications offices, blood programs, and other activities supporting American military personnel. Their military inspired uniforms identified them as members of a civilian humanitarian organization working alongside the Armed Forces rather than as enlisted members of the military.

The term “hobby hat” became associated with the distinctive American Red Cross service cap worn by female workers. Its compact brimmed design formed a recognizable part of the wartime uniform and is now closely associated with Red Cross women who served overseas.

The postwar 10-year pin provides evidence of continued association with the American Red Cross beyond the end of WWII. It may indicate that the original wearer accumulated at least a decade of service, although the absence of a name or service record prevents confirmation that every badge and ribbon presently attached was earned by one individual.

The Smith-Grey jacket, matching skirt, hobby hat, American Red Cross shoulder patch, four overseas theater ribbons, blood droplet badge, and postwar longevity pin form a substantial uniform grouping. The combination illustrates both the worldwide wartime responsibilities of American Red Cross women and the organization’s continued service during the postwar period. It would be relevant to a collection focused on American women in WWII, Red Cross overseas service, or women’s occupational uniforms.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 14.5"
Chest width: 18"
Waist: 16"
Hip: 18"
Front length: 29.5"

Skirt
Waist: 16"
Length: 31"