Make Do and Mend Booklet - WWII Clothing Conservation Reproduction
Military Clothing Size Guide (Click to Expand)
Military clothing sizes are listed as Height / Chest (for jackets and smocks) or Height / Waist (for trousers).
Example: 180/96 fits someone around 5'11" tall with a 38" chest.
| NATO Size (Label) | Approx Height | Chest / Waist (in) | Generic Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 / 88 | 5'3"–5'5" | 34–35" | Small (S) |
| 170 / 88 | 5'7"–5'9" | 34–35" | Small (S) |
| 170 / 96 | 5'7"–5'9" | 37–38" | Medium (M) |
| 180 / 96 | 5'10"–5'11" | 37–38" | Medium (M) |
| 180 / 104 | 5'10"–5'11" | 40–41" | Large (L) |
| 190 / 96 | 6'2" | 37–38" | Medium (M) Tall |
| 190 / 104 | 6'2" | 40–41" | Large (L) Tall |
| 180 / 112 | 5'11" | 43–44" | X-Large (XL) |
| 190 / 112 | 6'2" | 43–44" | X-Large (XL) Tall |
| 200 / 120 | 6'4"+ | 46–48" | 2X-Large (2XL) |
⚙️ Sizing Tips
- The first number is your height in cm.
- The second number is your chest or waist in cm.
- Military gear is usually cut roomy for layering and movement.
- If you’re between sizes, go down for a closer fit or up for layering.
- Example: 5'11" tall with 40" chest → 180/104 (Large).
This reproduction is a faithful replica of the "Make Do and Mend" booklet issued by the Ministry of Information during the Second World War. Originally released in 1943, this manual was a critical resource for a nation facing severe clothing rationing and a shortage of raw materials. It provides a factual, no-nonsense guide to extending the life of garments, offering a direct insight into the domestic frugality and logistical ingenuity required on the British Home Front.
Product Specifications & Features
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Original Instructional Content: Contains the full range of wartime tips for darning, patching, and "turning" old clothes to create new garments.
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Period-Correct Format: A staple-bound booklet designed to mirror the size, layout, and paper weight of the original government-issue publication.
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Practical Advice: Includes technical diagrams and instructions on moth prevention, laundry efficiency, and repairing knitted goods.
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Service-Issue Quality: Printed on durable, era-appropriate paper stock that replicates the texture of 1940s stationery while ensuring longevity for handling.
Key Historical Insights
This booklet serves as a primary-source record of the civilian effort to conserve national resources:
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Resource Management: Illustrates how the "CC41" utility clothing scheme necessitated a culture of repair to save factory capacity for military uniforms.
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Technical Skill: Reflects the high level of needlework and repair skills expected of the average British household during the 1940s.
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Government Propaganda: Demonstrates the shift in national messaging, where "vanity" was replaced by "utility" as a patriotic duty.
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Economic Reality: Provides a realistic look at how families managed when "coupons" for new clothes were extremely limited.
Realistic Use Cases
In line with our army surplus UK standards for functional historical resources, this booklet is intended for:
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Historical Reenactment: An essential, period-correct accessory for those portraying Home Front civilians, WVS members, or Land Army girls.
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Educational Workshops: A hands-on tool for schools and museums to teach the history of sustainability and the domestic realities of WWII.
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Living History Displays: Ideal for set dressing in "Wartime Home" exhibits to show the actual guidance provided to the public.
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Craft & Design Research: A factual resource for those interested in vintage tailoring, repair techniques, and 1940s fashion history.
Condition Note: This is a high-quality modern reproduction. It is designed for active study and practical use, offering a realistic look and feel where an original 80-year-old booklet would be far too fragile for regular handling.
Domestic Shipping
We mainly use Royal mail 48 for items under 1kg and DPD for items over this weight. We may change this at any time dependant on service availability and destination.
We send out the majority of orders the same day of receiving upto 1pm
We also offer an express shipping service which ensures your delivery is prioritised for delivery as quick as possible and usually delivered the next working day.
We do offer Saturday delivery and timed delivery but prices are on application.
For US and Canada we mainly use Fedex priority and deliveries are usually recieved within 2 to 5 days
For EU deliveries we mainly use DPD by road and usually takes from 3 to 7 days, your parcels are not necessarily delivered by DPD in your county and the parcel may be passed to your countries nominated carrier.
Rest of the World, we have availability with all the major carriers and each is nominated dependant on the best service for the receivers destination.
If you can not get an automated shipping quote please contact us for a spot shipping quote.
If you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, we're here to help.
You have 7 calendar days to contact us and arrange for the item to be returned which will be received by us no longer than 30 days from initial order. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused (if applicable) and in the same condition that you received it. Your item must be in the original packaging (if applicable).
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Once we receive your item, we will inspect it and notify you that we have received your returned item. We will immediately notify you on the status of your refund or exchange and if applicable we will initiate a refund via your original method of payment.
If you opt for an exchange we will contact you for further postage costs. (price dependant on weight/destination).
If applicable you will receive the credit within 7 days, depending on your card issuer's policies. Contact Us If you have any questions on how to return your item to us.