This ARP Pattern 41 Bluette Combination Overall is a well-made reproduction of the dark blue coverall worn by members of Britain’s Air Raid Precautions, commonly known as the ARP. With its practical Home Front appearance, this garment is ideal for an Air Raid Warden uniform, British Civil Defence display, WW2 Home Front re-enactment, museum presentation, theatre production or “Dad’s Army” style display.
Made from heavy blue cotton denim, the overall features a waist belt with chromed metal buckle, two buttoned breast pockets, one buttoned thigh pocket on the left leg, buttoned cuffs and a white cotton label sewn to the rear. The fit is deliberately generous, as the garment was designed to be worn over normal clothing. This gives the overall the correct functional look for ARP, Civil Defence and wartime Home Front impressions.
Historical Context
At the beginning of WWII, many ARP personnel still wore civilian clothes with an ARP badge, brassard or helmet. This soon proved unsuitable for blackout duties, rescue work, fire watching, first aid support and local civil defence tasks. In October 1939, large numbers of blue ARP overalls were ordered as the first attempt to provide ARP personnel with a practical and recognisable uniform. The blue denim cloth was also known as bluette. These overalls were worn by wardens, rescue parties and other members of Britain’s wartime civil defence services.
Specifications : reproduction, brand Kay Canvas, British ARP / Civil Defence, dark blue, cotton, heavy denim fabric, coverall/combination suit style, waist belt with chromed metal buckle, plain silver-coloured buttons with O-rings, 2 breast pockets, 1 left thigh pocket, buttoned cuffs, white cotton rear label, approx. weight 1100 g, sizes S to XXL, flat measurements: S pit to pit 53 cm / waist 52 cm / inseam 66 cm / shoulder to cuff 60 cm / full length 143 cm, M 58 / 56 / 67 / 61 / 148 cm, L 60 / 58 / 72 / 63 / 150 cm, XL 66 / 65 / 72 / 66 / 151 cm, XXL 69 / 66 / 72 / 68 / 155 cm.
Subtle advice / combination: For a complete ARP Air Raid Warden impression, this overall can be combined with a black beret with ARP cap badge, ARP chest badge, white shirt, black tie, black shoes or military boots and, where appropriate, a MKVII gas mask bag.
