WW2 Canadian Women’s Army Corps CWAC Officer’s Spats

WW2 Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) Officer’s Spats are uniform accessories issued to female officers serving in the Canadian Army during the Second World War. These spats, also known as gaiters, were designed to cover the upper part of the shoe and lower ankle, providing a neat and standardized appearance while offering some protection to the uniform and footwear. Typically constructed from light khaki fabric, the spats feature adjustable straps and metal fastening hooks or buttons for secure attachment. The CWAC was established in 1941 to allow women to serve in non-combatant roles within the Canadian military, and their distinctive uniforms, including items such as these spats, contributed to a cohesive military presentation. Officer’s spats are less commonly encountered than those issued to other ranks, and original wartime examples represent a specific aspect of Canadian military women’s dress. These items are of interest for the study of military uniforms and women’s service in the Canadian armed forces during the 1940s.