USMC WWII 1943 Tee Shirt “Skivvy”
This is the classic undershirt of the USMC throughout the later phases of WWII. These Tee Shirts along with the corresponding under drawers were commonly known in the slang of sailors and marines as “Skivvies.”
The USMC entered WWII with off-white “Skivvies” identical to those worn by the U. S. Navy, but after lessons learned in combat amidst the green jungle landscape of Pacific battlefields, it became clear that anything white made the wearer a good target for enemy fire, so a directive was issued to contract for green “Skivvies” beginning in 1943. The shade of green was unique to the USMC, being something like bottle green, and due to various production and supply priorities and problems, these new “Marine Green” Tee Shirts and drawers didn’t see large-scale issue until the spring of 1944.
This “Marine Green” Tee Shirt copy has been meticulously researched, developed and manufactured in Japan by the best in the business. They’re produced with a special thread called ‘Raffy’, which is a combination of American Supima cotton, Egyptian cotton and Turfan cotton, which replicates the look and feel of vintage fabric; because these cottons all have different length staples, the thread has a distinctive texture that is similar to vintage fabric. This specialized thread is then woven on rare, vintage, circular knitting machines, so the body is a complete tube with no side seam and known as ‘body-size’ - just like the vintage “Skivvies.”
Finally, the dying and sewing construction are impeccably matched to original examples, rendering a recreation that is second-to-none.
Available in sizes 36 - 44. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from Japan
USMC WWII 1943 Tee Shirt “Skivvy”
SIZING TIPS
About this Style: The sizing on the undershirts is sensible if you wish to wear the shirts as originally intended - as an undergarment or to simply fit as if it was an undergarment. Just as with traditional underwear, the fabric will stretch nicely to the size and shape of your body.
Tip 1: Determine if you want to wear this shirt like traditional underwear (like a second skin), or looser than traditional underwear (with some excess fabric). For example: If your chest measures 40” and you want the shirt to fit more like traditional underwear, order size 40. If you prefer a looser fit than traditional underwear, order size 42 (one size up).
Tip 2: Follow the instructions entitled “How to Use Product Measures to Obtain a Good Fit” listed under the PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS tab for this product. After finding no substantive conflicts with your body measures obtained from the tab entitled BODY MEASURING, order this garment in a size that is equal to your chest circumference measure. If you prefer a roomier or longer fit, then order the next available size after reviewing all relative measures that pertain to that size.
Tip 3: Please note that your chest circumference measure is not necessarily the labeled size you wear in another garment you may own from a different maker or even the same maker, so please take the time to obtain your true chest circumference measure so as to compare to our chart of measures; this will enable us to perform a better job getting you the right size and minimize your chances in having to deal with the hassle and cost of exchanges.
Please ask us for fitting advice if in doubt.
Tip 4: Individuals who prefer looser fits and/or those with a waist measure that is nearly equal to or greater than their chest circumference measure may jump up one size in this shirt for comfort and desired fit (when we refer to waist measure we do not mean your trouser size; we mean the actual circumference measure of your waistline at its widest point). If you are unsure of the size to order we will assist you; please contact us with the following information: Height, waist circumference measure, chest circumference measure, body weight, and the type of fit you prefer: Trim, roomy or oversized.
USMC WWII 1943 Tee Shirt “Skivvy”
PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS
The following table provides actual product measures. These measures are provided as an aid because, in conjunction with the information found under the SIZING TIPS tab for each product, they can sometimes be very useful when comparing the measurements from this garment to the measures of your body; however, acting as an armchair tailor should be done with caution, as well as with knowledge of other important areas of fit that are not displayed here. Armchair tailors frequently fail to take into account other significant elements that impact fit; following the information found under the SIZING TIPS tab for each garment on this web site is strongly suggested, which can be very useful in supplanting or supplementing the listed measures below.
Our measures were derived from averaging many garments of the same size from each specific size in the range of any given product, thus the measures provided are representative for each size but they may not be exactly what you will receive. Some fluctuation in size is normal and to be expected, especially in these garments that have been manufactured on vintage machinery using natural fibers; the vintage machinery and techniques that create sought-after looks and fabrics are also less precise than machines contemporary to the current era.
| Size | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Chest width | 18 1/8" | 19 1/8" | 20 1/8" | 21 1/8" | 22 1/4" |
| Shoulder width | 14 1/2" | 15" | 16" | 16 3/4" | 18 1/2" |
| Back length | 27 1/2" | 27 1/2" | 28" | 28 1/2" | 28 1/2" |
How to Use the Product Measures to Obtain a Good Fit:
1) Using the measurements listed for this product and information found under the tab entitled MEASURING GARMENTS to understand our measuring technique, please double the chest measure to obtain the total external chest circumference of this garment. For example: If the chest measure listed for size Medium 40 is 20”, doubling this measure yields a 40” external chest circumference.
2) Measure your chest circumference as per the tab on this web site specifically addressing BODY MEASURING, then compare your chest measure to the chest measure of this product.
3) Underwear garments are cut in such a way that the wearer can require zero to even negative space in the shirt due to the stretch characteristics of the fabric. If your chest circumference is 40”, a product with a 20” chest width has a 40” external chest circumference and would provide no external room in this scenario (chest measures 40”, external chest measure of the shirt is 40”, thus zero external room would be realized).
4) If desired, repeat the measuring comparisons for back length.
5) Compare your body measures to the listed garment measures and follow the advice found under the SIZING TIPS tab to obtain a good fit.
Sometimes-Problematic Way to Determine a Good Fit:
Due to differences in how even near-identical garments are cut by different manufacturers, it is not necessarily a good idea to compare the listed measures of this product to the measures of an existing, similar product in your wardrobe to determine the correct size to order in this product. Though such comparisons can indeed work some of the time, and maybe even most of the time, vast experience with and knowledge of the products we market has proven such practices will sometimes fail. This inaccurate measuring methodology doesn't factor in other key variables of fit relative to you and the garment that includes: Armhole opening, shoulder slope, high-point shoulder, high chest, width of sleeves at all points including the all-important elbow, waist measure, and the thickness, plumpness, and rigidity of the material the garment is made from, naming just some variables influencing fit that do not appear on any list of measurements for a garment or that a customer is likely to account for.
It is best to compare your actual body measures to the listed measures of this product AND follow our advice listed under the SIZING TIPS tab specific to this product to obtain a good fit in this style.
A Good Fit:
This is highly subjective - what one person may think is too big, another may think fits perfectly. Some garments are cut quite generously and others are cut quite trimly. If comparing measurements of one of our products to another you may own, some individuals will surely find that none or maybe only one area of measure is commonly shared or remotely close to being the same. Ultimately, chest measure is the most important area to properly fit, then all other areas of measure will have to fall into place. And some individuals who are extremely tall may find that body and/or sleeve length are more important to accommodate than even chest measure.
It is best to compare your actual body measures to the listed measures of this product AND follow our advice listed under the SIZING TIPS tab specific to this product to obtain a good fit in this style.
We strive to create a crisp fit between our products and the customer, and not a loose, sloppy look. If you prefer your clothing to fit more loosely, then we will do our best to work with you to that end, though, by the very nature of our product designs and fits it may not be possible to duplicate the slack looks found in many mainstream clothing brands even if you go up one or two sizes in our products.
USMC WWII 1943 Tee Shirt “Skivvy”
| Size | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Chest width | 18 1/8" | 19 1/8" | 20 1/8" | 21 1/8" | 22 1/4" |
| Shoulder width | 14 1/2" | 15" | 16" | 16 3/4" | 18 1/2" |
| Back length | 27 1/2" | 27 1/2" | 28" | 28 1/2" | 28 1/2" |
