Vintage 1940s 1950s British Navy WRENS Cotton Side Button High Waist Split Skirt Culottes RARE Size XS to M

♛Killer vintage shorts -- these are women's military regulation wear in a rich navy blue color. These beauties hail from the WRNS or "WRENS," the British Women's Royal Naval Service.

The fabric is a sturdy mid-weight cotton twill, similar to what you might find in a better quality pair of modern day "khaki" type trousers. These are "cuspers," made right as 1940s shifted into 1950s (most dated 1951 inside), but certainly cut like late 40s shorts, so they work great with either era.

Interesting note: some of the labels indicate that these were gym shorts and some refer to them as "divided skirts." Man, they are the nicest gym shorts we've ever seen! :) Whether you are a vintage purist or you love to mix and match with modern, these shorts are on point (and I daresay way cuter in person!). Wearable history!

•high waist with pointed deco seaming

•big heavy black plastic side buttons to close (likely Bakelite by the feel and sound of them)

•they look smart and tidy like a skirt, but are easy to wear shorts! like a shorter pair of culottes :)

These are labeled inside with original military regulation labels. Some were made by company Gymphlex Ltd., some H.&K. Modes Ltd., etc.

Our shop partner was cool enough to score a large and complete collection of early women's military pieces, much of it deadstock/unworn, and these are part of that collection. Most if not all pieces have their original military regulation tags inside. The shorts shown are an example pair only; the pair you will receive is the same style and color. There may be tiny natural variations.

 ♛Measurements

Please select from the following collection using the drop-down menu. Be sure to allow room for fit and ease. (Note: if they are too large for you, they are easy to alter smaller as these uniform pieces were designed with alterations/customization in mind. They all have small extra fabric allowances on rear waist, as well, and can be adjusted a bit larger.)

Size 22/23 

Waist 22"/tight 23"

Hips full/38"

Inseam about 5"

Outseam 18"

Rise about 15 1/2"

Size 25/26

Waist 25"/tight 26"

Hips full/42"

Inseam about 6"

Outseam about 18 1/2"/19"

Rise about 16 1/2"

Size 26/27

Waist 26"/tight 27"

Hips full/42"

Inseam about 6" to 6 1/2"

Outseam about 18 1/2"/19"

Rise about 16 1/2"

♛Condition Deadstock, unworn, collectible pieces of military history dating from nearly 70 years ago.

They have sturdy, unfaded fabric. Many still have the pleats tacked down with white thread which was intended to be removed before worn. Although unworn, there may be the occasional tiny flaw picked up over the eras, nothing that prevents them from being worn or enjoyed. In storage for all these decades, they may have minor signs of shelf dust or lint or fold lines/creases. Cleaning and pressing with a regular iron before first wearing is recommended.

Note: all buttons are present, but do remember that they are held on with thread dating to the era of the shorts and may require eventual reinforcement. We can't warranty vintage, but these are sturdy pieces that were meant to be worn hard and to last!

To keep our price points low, all deadstock military collection pieces are sold as-is with no returns, exchanges, or cancellations, so please check sizing carefully before ordering and ask any questions prior to purchase.