Snappy Uniforms

One reason Merrily Kurtz selected the Navy was because of the fashionable Mainbocher-designed uniform.

We had measurements and tried them on. They came up to us, oh gee!  You know, “What size are you?”  They’d look at you and give you a size approximately (laughs).  I didn’t have to have my altered. They gave me a buxom, and I’m glad.  I don’t think that I’m a buxom, but they through I was.  Evidently it gave me a little bit more room in the front.  I don’t remember having to be altered.  Then we got our shoes, and our hose and — it was so cold back in New York.  We went in February.  You marched everywhere, and the wind blowing off the reservoir was colder than blazes.  I don’t know what the temperature was, but it was awful cold.

This photograph shows Merrily Kurtz and another WAVE marching. It comes from the collection of Merrily Kurtz Hewett.