Object: Man's military poncho
Maker:
United States Marine Corp
Date: 1948
Medium: Coated cotton
Country: USA
Credit Line: Museum purchase
Object number: 2003.98.1
DescriptionU.S. Marine waterproof poncho in coated cotton, printed in reversible camouflage, one side for woodlands in shades of green and brown, other side for desert in shades of tan and brown, large rectangle with neck hole, stand collar and CF slit, brass snaps at neck and outer edges
Label Text:The French developed camouflage during World War I to help soldiers (and equipment) blend into combat environments. By World War II, the U.S. had introduced the print into its military uniforms as ponchos and helmet covers, which were worn over standard issue uniforms. Today, combat uniforms are entirely camouflage—the colors and shapes in the print vary between countries and climates.
Exhibitions:
- Uniformity
- The Big, the Bold, and the Beautiful: Hand Screen-Printing for Fashion and Interiors