GI Underwear: Original Images, Observations and Recommendations

Date Written: Spring 2010
Author: Chris Guska - 90th IDPG

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Foreword: Theres a long standing joke about authenticity regarding original underwear and skidmarks which has become a dividing line in the hobby. While some reenactors and living history types view correct underwear as the Nth degree of authenticity and would try and argue this point, that is precisely not my intention with this article. I belive there are several misconceptions about GI Underwear as well as a general lack of knowledge on the subject. In this article I intend to show what was actually worn to debunk the "OD Tanktop and OD Boxers ONLY!" myth, as well as present a variety of original examples, and finally to offer some sugguestions on finding acceptable modern alternatives to Originals.

Section 1: Original Photos and Observations Section 2: Original Underwear: Patterns and Styles through Original Examples and QM Catalog Study Section 3: Modern Alternatives "in the style of"