Siren suit facts for kids
The siren suit was a special one-piece outfit. People could put it on very quickly. It was first made for wearing when going to air-raid shelters. These shelters were safe places during World War II when bombs might fall. The suit helped people stay warm and covered up. This was important when they had to leave their homes fast at night. Sirens would warn everyone about incoming air raids. People could quickly put on their siren suits over their pajamas. Both children and adults wore these suits when they went to shelters.
Contents
How the Siren Suit Started
The siren suit looked a lot like a boilersuit. Workers like mechanics and bricklayers wore boilersuits to protect their clothes. The siren suit was actually invented by Winston Churchill in the 1930s. He was a very important leader in the United Kingdom. He helped make the suit popular during World War II. He wore it often, even when meeting other important people. These included U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and General Dwight Eisenhower.
It was very helpful to have clothes that could be put on fast. This was especially true when people had to leave their homes quickly. They needed to find safety during air raids. Sirens gave the warning for these raids. That's why these special outfits became known as siren suits. Wearing fancy dresses or work clothes in a shelter was not very practical. The siren suit offered a much better solution.
What Siren Suits Were Made Of
Siren suits were made to be loose and comfortable. They often had zippers or buttons to close them. Some had a belt, and they always had big, simple pockets. These suits were made from different materials. Wool and cotton were common choices. People used whatever fabrics were available because of clothing rationing.
You could buy siren suits already made. Or, you could make one yourself using a pattern and fabric. Some suits even had a special flap at the back. This allowed people to use the toilet without taking off the whole suit.
Siren Suits for Kids
Early siren suits were sometimes seen as stylish. But suits for children were mostly about comfort. They helped kids stay cozy while seeking shelter during air raids. These children's suits were advertised as onesies. They were often described as being "knitted with 10 ounces of 4-ply wool." They were not sold as protective gear like the men's suits. Children's suits often had a fur-lined hood. This helped keep a child's head and ears warm in the shelters.
Siren Suits for Women
Siren suits for women were both protective and fashionable. They were marketed in a way that avoided causing fear about air raids. Pictures showed women wearing very stylish siren suits. They were not shown running or hiding in shelters. Sometimes, a woman would wear the hood over her hair. She might even hang her purse over her shoulder to complete the look. Many women felt these suits helped them stay covered up in a comfortable way.
