Female cadet epaulets

Started by Bexa, February 17, 2020, 01:36:52 AM

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Bexa

So I recently promoted to C/2d Lt. and the epaulets don't fit me.  I'm a fairly small female cadet and Vanguard doesn't make female epaulets. They come in a standard size that's too big for me and I'm very upset because I can't wear my rank. Does anyone know if I can get smaller ones? Or what I should do?

Abby.L

I would take an equal length piece of fabric from both the top and fold them in, using a regulation female SM or AF Officer epaulet for reference. Once you have it sized out, you should be able to tack/sew it in a way that looks natural and professional for fairly cheap, especially if you're handy with a sewing machine.
Capt Abby R. Lockling
SSgt(Sep) USAF, 41ECS
Charlie flight, NBB 2013

Capt Thompson

Is the issue that they are too long or too wide? If the issue is width, you can flip them over and cut the seams, take them in a bit, sew them back up and then iron them flat. If the issue is that they are too long you should be able to shorten them a bit, or take them to a shop to have them altered. Not as easy as just buying smaller ones, but if smaller ones don't exist that may be the best solution.
Capt Matt Thompson
Deputy Commander for Cadets, Historian, Public Affairs Officer

Mitchell - 31 OCT 98 (#44670) Earhart - 1 OCT 00 (#11401)


Capt Thompson

No she is referring to the blue epaulets with CAP at the top and the silver dot to center pips or diamonds.
Capt Matt Thompson
Deputy Commander for Cadets, Historian, Public Affairs Officer

Mitchell - 31 OCT 98 (#44670) Earhart - 1 OCT 00 (#11401)

Terry W.

I just ordered a set of shoulder boards for a FO and they are unisex. I am not aware of any shoulder boards being unisex.

Abby.L

Quote from: Terry W. on February 17, 2020, 12:07:33 PMI just ordered a set of shoulder boards for a FO and they are unisex. I am not aware of any shoulder boards being unisex.

https://www.vanguardmil.com/collections/senior-grade-epaulets-female

There's a whole section for SM female epaulets, and there are also female active duty officer epaulets. While true that male sized epaulets may be used by both, there are some smaller women who just need a smaller product for proper fit or proportions where that small size would look odd on anyone else.
Capt Abby R. Lockling
SSgt(Sep) USAF, 41ECS
Charlie flight, NBB 2013

Eclipse

Quote from: Levi Lockling on February 17, 2020, 02:21:52 AMI would take an equal length piece of fabric from both the top and fold them in, using a regulation female SM or AF Officer epaulet for reference. Once you have it sized out, you should be able to tack/sew it in a way that looks natural and professional for fairly cheap, especially if you're handy with a sewing machine.

This.

There is only one cadet officer epaulet sleeve, the same for both male and female
uniforms.



If it's really that bad, your only choice is to find some way to fold them under and sew to fit.
If I were doing it I'd just take the material off the "bottom" (in the photo), vs. trying to equalize it
which will be even harder and have a more noticeable weird appearance.

"That Others May Zoom"

SarDragon

Quote from: Terry W. on February 17, 2020, 12:07:33 PMI just ordered a set of shoulder boards for a FO and they are unisex. I am not aware of any shoulder boards being unisex.
Shoulder boards and the cloth gizmos that slide onto the shirt/coat epaulets are very different. I think the discussion here is the latter, in the cadet variety, which differ from what SMs wear.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

GaryVC

We have a cadet officer in our squadron with this problem. She folded the bottom over (away from the CAP initials) and wears it that way. Does it look good? No. Does it work? Yes. I think the idea to modify both the top and bottom of the epaulettes is better. She is close to cadet major and I will suggest that to her when she is promoted.

PHall

Quote from: GaryVC on February 17, 2020, 07:18:47 PMWe have a cadet officer in our squadron with this problem. She folded the bottom over (away from the CAP initials) and wears it that way. Does it look good? No. Does it work? Yes. I think the idea to modify both the top and bottom of the epaulettes is better. She is close to cadet major and I will suggest that to her when she is promoted.


Any good alterations place should be able shorten the epaulet sleeves and will probably look a whole lot better.

MSG Mac

You should let Vanguard know that there's a need for shorter epaulets. Rita LaBarre is the contact for CAP items.
Michael P. McEleney
Lt Col CAP
MSG USA (Retired)
50 Year Member

JC004

#12
I did this for a tiny cadet.  It came out nicely.  How much material is left over?

============

Quote from: GaryVC on February 17, 2020, 07:18:47 PMWe have a cadet officer in our squadron with this problem. She folded the bottom over (away from the CAP initials) and wears it that way. Does it look good? No. Does it work? Yes. I think the idea to modify both the top and bottom of the epaulettes is better. She is close to cadet major and I will suggest that to her when she is promoted.

I'd happily re-sew this set as well.

They need a permanent crease and line of stitching to look correct.  That takes the right supplies, which are what I use for my insignia:

mtzgamer01

I would say if you're like EXTREMELY small, the sleeve for the GoreTex rank would work, but that also has the "CAP" on the wrong side, and there seems to be a plethora of good suggestions already. Hope you can get it working!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
C/Maj Michael Zielinski
Missoula Comp. Sq. C/CC
MTWG Encampment 2020 C/CC

JC004

I always encourage thinking outside the box.  In this case, I think the tabs are just too small.  I can't imagine the Air Force makes any shirts with epaulets that small.  The tab is 1 3/4" and the epaulet sleeve is almost 4 inches.

It would be best to trim the sleeve to the correct size, add a permanent crease, and sew them.

I would be glad to modify these sleeves for the cadets who need them trimmed.



I am happy to do them for cadets who need it, at about-cost, especially while finding a tailor is difficult with so many businesses closed.  I can be messaged directly by those who need it done.