You Must Be Fit: 40 Years of Physical Fitness Uniforms
Overview
During the era of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) a number of physical fitness uniforms were worn. They were authorized for use for calisthenics, KP (kitchen patrol), fatigue duties, training classes and sports. Depending on the activity, a WAC wore varying caps and hats with these uniforms.
The seersucker exercise suit in either brown or green was used from 1942 to 1958—the longest period of all the physical training uniforms. A shortage of the uniform occurred when the ranks of the WAC expanded; the Quartermaster General substituted it with a blue exercise suit worn by the members of the Women’s Air Force (WAF). By the end of 1958 a taupe suit (similar in design to that of the WAF) was issued.
In 1969 the taupe suit was replaced with a blue one and within 3 years the WAC replaced all of the exercise suits with the two-tone green uniform. It was renamed a training duty uniform.
Seersucker Exercise Suit, 1940s–1950s
When the WAC was first established in World War II this exercise suit was designed to provide for the needs of fatigue and utility clothing. A pair of bloomers were also issued to be worn under the dress. The bloomers initially were cinched at the legs with elastic. With later redesigns this feature was discontinued in order to conserve rubber used in the elastic.
One complaint arose after use by the first women in the Army. When the WACs “indulged in vigorous exercise, the buttonholes had an embarrassing way of popping open.” Subsequently the buttonholes were changed from vertical to horizontal.
Chambray Exercise Suit, 1960s–1970s
Due to a shortage of the seersucker suit in the late 1950s, the WAC borrowed a blue exercise suit from the Women’s Air Forces (WAF). The WAC then issued the taupe uniform of similar design to the WAF uniform.
In 1969 the three piece blue cotton chambray exercise suit replaced the taupe version of the same design. The blue color was adopted from the Air Force.
Training Duty Uniform, 1970s
In 1972 the exercise suit was renamed the training duty uniform and a two-toned green uniform was issued. The uniform consisted of a shirt, shorts and skirt and could be worn with the green cord garrison cap or Army green garrison cap. In the same year the first women were trained as drill sergeants and were authorized the iconic Australian bush hat still worn by female drill sergeants today.
The training duty uniform was worn during physical training as well as to classroom training and was authorized year-round.
Beyond the WAC
The end of the WAC era, 1978, marked the end of gender-specific physical training uniforms. For decades physical training (PT) uniforms were gender neutral. With the adoption of the Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU) in 2015, specific women sizes were made available. Standards for hair and makeup have also changed over time. In 2021 women were authorized to wear ponytails, a style previously prohibited, in all uniforms. In 2025 the standard was updated to a more conservative one allowing ponytails only while wearing Army combat uniforms and physical fitness uniforms.
Bringing History To Life
Inspired by an exhibit she was working on at the Army's Museum Support Center-Anniston, Curator Christel Sanchez set out to bring history to life by researching, sewing and wearing her own replica of a WAC physical fitness uniform. Using photos and documents she was able to create a pattern and hand sew a World War II era seersucker exercise suit. She wore the piece during a 5K race, interacting with the public and sharing about the uniform's history. You can read the full story here.
