Repro WWII Officers Dress Uniform

[Mike K.]

I thought perhaps I asked this question on the Lounge awhile back, but darned if I can find it searching through old posts/threads. :eusa_doh:

Does anybody have one of the reproduction U.S. army officer's dress uniforms from What Price Glory or WWII Impressions? If so, all I need to know is whether either of them have high armholes such as found on originals. Thanks!

 

[db5zx]

I haven't bought any uniforms from either of them, but I know from talking to a lot of WWII reenactors that both try to be as correct as possible in their repros, usually using original uniforms as masters to copy from. Those two are the top two reenactment suppliers for US uniforms, so I think they'd be out of business in no-time if they were inaccurate.

Jens

 

[Mike K.]

Thanks db5zx. However, the same could be said about repro flight jackets and we all know the subtle (or not) inaccuracies that exist even among the "biggest" and "best" companies out there. Just because the look is overall correct, doesn't necessarily mean that the fit is authentic. I own other pieces of military uniform (repro) that really look great & authentic, but do not meet muster when it comes to fitting properly as the originals do.

 

[Fletch]

Everybody (except perhaps John Chapman) has to get their .02 in on the fit issue when they reproduce clothing. The typical wisdom is that all those servicemen were built like some sort of bantam alien compared to the hearty strapping beerenactor of today, so b'golly let's change everything we can and loosen 'em up, extrapolate the pattern sizes literally by the seat of the pants, and communicate(?) the details by garbled fax to our supplier in East Whozistan, where fractions were unknown until the early '80s.

Let's just say that they're danged lucky most of their customers don't know or care a whole lot about civilian clothes.

 

[Mojave Jack]

I'd be interested to know about that, as well, Mike. I've often debated trying to fit that good fit from e-Bay versus buying a more known quantity from a dealer. I've had enough bad fits myself to be wary, too, and I've not gotten the courage (not to mention the cash) to drop the hammer on a repro service jacket.

That's where we should have gone when you were here in SoCal! Down to Juan's to try them on! Dang! Why didn't I think of that before?!

 

[Mike K.]

There's always next year Mojave! I am still keeping an eye out for a nice quality original. Fortunately for me, I can fit into original WWII apparel since I haven't yet fallen victim to the modern bulge physique. I periodically check my local store for quality items. Currently there's a beat up Aero A-2 hanging on the wall. Anyhow, I'd just like to keep options open - original or repro uniform.

 

[TraditionalFrog]

Hmm..

Can't say much about repro uniforms. However...

I can always get the originals from my grandfather's storage closet in his basement!

He saved several!

Disclaimer: Oops! He was a Tech Sergeant not an Officer.

 

[fortworthgal]

Well, I don't have much experience with repro officer's dress uniforms, but I have seen WPG uniforms in person and I have to say I'm not overly impressed. Something about the cut just seems off. A friend of ours had one for sale and my husband tried it on, it just didn't have the look of an original. It was huge in the shoulders and the skirt was very long. I don't think the armholes were high like originals, either. Now, that being said, I do have their reproduction enlisted WAC uniform and I really like it. I think the problem (IMHO) lies in the 4 pocket dress tunics.

Everything I've seen and had from WWII Impressions has been top quality, maybe give them a whirl.

Also, one thing I've seen that really helps repro uniforms look much nicer is to swap out as much stuff for original as possible - patches, coat buttons, etc.

 

[Alan Eardley]

Yeh. In the UK we get the same gear as WPG through SoF. The statement '...for the modern body' in their adverts says it all. If it said ...for the WW2 body' I would be a believer. Isn't that what it's supposed to be reproducing?

Alan

 

[reetpleat]

Everybody (except perhaps John Chapman) has to get their .02 in on the fit issue when they reproduce clothing. The typical wisdom is that all those servicemen were built like some sort of bantam alien compared to the hearty strapping beerenactor of today, so b'golly let's change everything we can and loosen 'em up, extrapolate the pattern sizes literally by the seat of the pants, and communicate(?) the details by garbled fax to our supplier in East Whozistan, where fractions were unknown until the early '80s.

Let's just say that they're danged lucky most of their customers don't know or care a whole lot about civilian clothes.

They might actually be right on from a market perspective. I would thin a company ought ot offer traditional cut and modern fit cut. Thanat way they can sell to both. BUt I suspect most reenactors would still want the looser cut if it still came close in look.

 

[Retro Rob]

I've been tempted to pick up a repro due to my large for Ww2 size. I did have a Peterson tunic, but sold it because it just looked too short. Checked out WPG at the gap this year, again there is a big difference between a repro and a finely tailored original. Anyhow the wait paid off, got an excellent condition original size 44xLong with no patches ever sewn on for $160.

 

[KilroyCD]

I can't really say anything about WPG's US officer's tunics, but their khaki drill British belted Bush Jacket has what I would call an odd fit. I had to order mine in a long size, as my torso is too long for a regular size, despite my being only 5'10". The long size is better, but still a bit short in my opinion. I also feel the breast pockets are about an inch too high. The sleeves are where the wierdness really gets extreme. The cuffs must all be cut one size (and it's small) for all sizes of the jacket. I can barely button them closed around my wrist, then the sleeve billows out like an 18th century French shirt sleeve. It's a good thing I'll be wearing it with the sleeves rolled up most of the time.
But oddness aside, at least it fits me. I have a body taper that's inverse to taper of most tunics, so I'm glad to finally find something that fits.

 

[pascalf]

I just started putting a WW2 AAF officer uniform together.
I got the pants and shirt from ELC.The fabric an color of the pinks is spot on.I have a WW2 officer topcoat and it is exactley the smae color as the pinks.
For the jacket and crusher I will go WWII impressions.It costs a little bit more ,but all the stuff I got from them is first grade.

 

[nightandthecity]

I keep coming across these people's stuff when trawling ebay. They seem to be shifting an awful lot of gear. Mostly German but also British, US, Italian etc. I'm not really into repro gear but I'm kind of curious to know if the quality is any good. Anyone here had any experience of this particular company?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360008747678

 

[Mike K.]

Everyone that I've heard from who has purchased from Keith says the products are quite good. I was planning on getting some GI service shoes from him but his stock ran out.

 

[doctor dan]

WPG Officers Dress

I have purchased several items from WPG. The Quality is very good. I have only purchase British items but as to fit, for our 21 centry bodies I suggest a least a size larger. Remember that there is no substitute for a good taylor.

 

[kampkatz]

As we age our bodies usually add some girth. It wasn't only WW2 vets who were trim. My 1970's Navy dress blues(officer) size 37 jacket and 29inch waist would only fit if I starved myself. Yet a 33 size trousers is not impossible to find in WW2 original. My late father in law's WW2 Ike jacket is a bit snug but I can wear it without passing out. Both WW2 officer's dress jackets unfortunately do not fit me anymore. The crush caps fortunately are just right.