The Lure of the White Shirt

 

Another recurring theme, that possibly starts pre-puberty and continues into adulthood is the fascination for women wearing some sort of uniform. However, not just any uniform as I'm sure statistics on this subject would reveal. The uniform must contain that essential ingredient, the crisp white, shirt or blouse. Where does this start? Is it the adolescent views of girls, possibly sisters in their riding attire? Whatever the cause, the end result is that groups as diverse as the local gymkhana club, policewomen, WRNS officers and airline stewardesses attract an unusual amount of attention.

 

 
 

 Anybody who doubts the power of the white shirt should take a look at the auction houses where women's uniforms sometimes come up for sale. British Army and Airforce uniforms might fetch $100, but a complete WRNS uniform will sell for around $ 400. Why ? WRNS wore a white shirt, the others wore green and grey!

On the left in this row are British Airways stewardesses from the 1950's and 2000. Note how the white shirt has gone full circle.

 

 Displayed above are charming representatives from the world of equestriennes, Italian police, British WRNS, British traffic wardens, British Airways, The evergreen Lois Maxwell (alias Miss Moneypenny), the British police, Lufthansa, US Navy and TWA. All were kindly donated by a reader of the site who knows what he likes, but strangely may not know why he likes it, or when the fascination began.

There appears to be a fascination with what lies beneath the uniform, whether military, civilian or airline. It is a rather strange obsession, since the answer is quite simply, that women will wear what their peers wear, whether they are in uniform or not! Certainly, a uniform demands (or should) a degree of smartness, however, a women in uniform has a job to perform, and in no way will she encumber herself unnecessarily.

Even the equestrienne who may wear a spinal support of some description to protect her back from the rigours of show-jumping is simply copying the sound advice of her peers.- Ivy

 

We received a photograph of an enthusiast's collection of women's uniforms. How many can you identify ? Click on the Wren officer's hat to find out!

 

One fanatic's collection shows