Propeller Era Uniforms (1940-1959)

1940-1942 Winter
This was the first uniform worn by Delta flight attendants, or "stewardesses," as they were called at the time. Military styling of a navy blue jacket fastened with brass buttons, a gored skirt, an overseas cap and white gloves. The white silk blouse had a pleated front.

The uniform was purchased from Rich's Department Store in Atlanta. Cost to employee: $110, which was payroll deductible.


1940-1942 Summer
Lightweight uniform made up of a beige jacket and gored skirt, an open-collared blouse in rust, and an oval hat. Shoes were brown and cream spectators. The uniform was purchased from Neiman Marcus Department Store in Dallas, Texas.

1942-1946 Winter
Stewardesses wore black head-to-toe, from their overseas cap and gored-skirted suit, to the pumps. A black tie was worn one winter with the white tuxedo-front blouse.

fa_1942-46_winter_tie fa_1942-46_winter

1943-1946 Summer
No more brass buttons in summer—this tan, collarless jacket fastened with two plastic buttons. The skirt was box-pleated and knee-length. A white, button-down blouse and a tan overseas cap finished the look.


1946-1947 Purser Uniform
Male pursers, wearing maritime uniforms purchased from the Army & Navy Store, briefly served at Delta in the post-war period, from March 1946 to July 1947. Each purser worked with a female flight attendant as a team of two onboard the DC-4, Delta's new four-engine, 44-seat aircraft.

1947-1949 Winter
Military styling continued for winter with a navy jacket, gored skirt, overseas cap and pumps. The white blouse had a jewel neckline.


1947 Summer
Similar to the previous summer uniform, but featuring a one-button, not two-button, jacket and a narrower skirt without box pleating.


1948-1953 Summer
One of Delta's prettiest uniforms—a short Eisenhower jacket of cream worn over a white blouse and a slim navy blue skirt.


1950-1956 Winter
Brass buttons discontinued for winter—this navy blue jacket fastened with one plastic button. The jacket had wider lapels and the skirt was narrower than last winter's uniform.


1954-1965 Summer
Light blue, long, collarless jacket fastened with three, fabric-covered buttons. The light blue skirt was slim with a kick-pleat in back. White v-neck blouse, light blue overseas cap, and navy-and-white stiletto spectator pumps finished the look.

Delta introduced this uniform after acquiring its first international flights—to the Caribbean and Caracas, Venezuela—from a merger with Chicago and Southern (C&S) Air Lines on May 1, 1953. This "tropical weight uniform" was worn year-round on the international flights.

Serving smocks, in dark blue, were issued for meal service for the first time in 1960.


1956-1957 Winter
Long, collarless jacket, narrow skirt and overseas hat in Civil War "Confederate gray." Shoes were black-and-white stiletto spectator pumps.


fa_1957-59_winter1957-1959 Winter
Navy blue collarless jacket, narrow skirt and overseas cap, paired with navy stiletto pumps.



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