Molly's Aviator or After School-Help

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Originally posted by Melissa:

I question whether Molly would have really had access to an aviator outfit since during the war people were very careful with certain materials (leather, silk, metal, etc.), making sure they went to the armed forces rather than to everyday people.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Honestly, I don't think Molly would have had the outfit, but if you remember in the book, her brother does get a pilot's scarf- like the one included in the outfit, so while I also don't know how realistic that is, maybe "used" clothing was sent home to children of the pilots.

As for the outfit, I've met many WASP through an organization I was involved with in college, and most of them spoke about how they had no uniform, and had to make one themselves. (I believe in the later terms of the program, a uniform was established, but the first few training groups did not have one) Most of the time all the women would try to get the same thing together to make it look like a uniform, so it's possible that her Aunt had an extra jacket (and if it fit Molly- it wouldn't be of much use to a pilot) and sewed a spare Fifenella patch on it.

I think the history of the WASP is very important, and that's why I'm glad the outfit was released, it will increase awareness that the program existed.

I just put Molly's camp shirt or school blouse under the aviator jacket. It doesn't bother me at all.

I agree--it has great historical significance! My dad was a member of the US Air Force, and knew right away what WASPs were when my mom mentioned them (without mentioning them in connection to anything--I'm surprised he didn't say "White Anglosaxon Protestants). [img]wink.gif[/img] The outfit is on my wish list since it has a significance to me with my dad being a former member of the Air Force.

I just wish it had more of a realistic connection to Molly.

I would vote for the Aviator outfit... I think it's quite cute, potentially has a chance for retirement, and could work double time for Kit (nice Amelia Airheart costume to match her doll!). Both are lovely though- good luck deciding! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

The connection is the short story "Molly Takes Flight" where her aunt, who is a WASP, takes her up in a small plane. She lends her a hat with goggles and a jacket for the flight (maybe a scarf, too, I don't remember). I really love the outfit, especially since it's fairly unique.
My niece recently got Molly, so I'm considering buying one for her while it's on sale, to put away for her birthday. [img]smile.gif[/img]

It's a tough choice between the two. But if I were in the position, I would probably get the Aviator outfit, just because it is most likely retiring. And I think the AfterSchool outift is pretty safe.

Though I think Molly is cuter in the After School Outfit.


But Kit looks awesome in the aviator outfit (especially at Halloween).

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ February 22, 2006 06:39 PM: Message edited by: shuffar ]</font>

I would get both!!! As they maybe redoing Molly's collection, they possible will retire both these outfits. Molly's plays is YEARS old, so that may leave and also her Aviator is part of the Short Stories! so that may go too. I have both and like them, but Molly rarely wears them, lol!

If you could only pick between these two outfits, which would you choose? Since one is on sale this month, and the other next month DD needs to decide soon.

I personally would pick the aviator outfit because I love the history of the WASP. However, it doesn't have a shirt, and that's a bit annoying.

I have a homemade version of the after school outfit, but I think it's great since it's the only practical pants outfit for Molly in her favorite color scheme (she likes red and blue in the book series).

I question whether Molly would have really had access to an aviator outfit since during the war people were very careful with certain materials (leather, silk, metal, etc.), making sure they went to the armed forces rather than to everyday people.

The play value also may not be as much since Molly has no miniature plane, whereas the after school outfit would go great with a pair of roller skates.

But if your daughter doesn't care about realism, either outfit looks awfully cute to me. I hope she has fun deciding! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

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Edited to add: I forgot to mention that Molly's after school outfit appears in her second book (Molly Learns a Lesson), at least in the original illustrations by Payne. This helps add another unique element to the set since I remember when I was young I liked seeing the outfits in the books. (Yet I still have the aviator outfit on my wish-list, too. [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img] )

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ February 22, 2006 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>