I don't know if this has been discussed, but one of my classmates, James C. Griffin '71, has written a book published by A&M Press called Pressed, Cleaned, and Properly Fitted. It traces the evolution of the Corps uniform from the beginnings to the present.

It is a large, coffee table type book, filled with photos and illustrations and explanatory text.

It is a beautiful book and fascinating to look at. I especially enjoyed reading about the uniform during my father's time (1940-1944) and my own time (1967-1971).

I discovered all sorts of things. Did you know that senior boots were briefly banned from campus around 1943?

I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job of research and writing on this topic. This is the definitive book on the A&M Corps uniforms.

Here's an interview with him discussing the book:

https://www.pbs.org/video/pressed-clean-and-properly-fitted-by-james-c-griffin-iii-viyurx/

Did you know that senior boots were briefly banned from campus around 1943?

Yes, the class of 1944 did not wear senior boots.

Somewhere in the great Texas Aggie Universe is a poster covering the uniform changes from 1876 to the admission of women into the Corps. It was done by Walter Bradford '68.

aggiejim70 said:

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Somewhere in the great Texas Aggie Universe is a poster covering the uniform changes from 1876 to the admission of women into the Corps. It was done by Walter Bradford '68.

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Here ya go

https://spirit.txamfoundation.com/winter-2025/what-are-the-pinks-and-greens-behind-the-iconic-corps-of-cadets-uniforms.aspx?hl=en-US

ABATTBQ87 said:

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Did you know that senior boots were briefly banned from campus around 1943?

Yes, the class of 1944 did not wear senior boots.

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assuming this was because of war time rationing?

Rationing was part of it.

But in 1938 the Army eliminated boots as a uniform option for all but mounted troops. From then on, A&M tried to ban boots to keep the Aggie uniform similar to the Army uniform. It was a constant, back and forth battle.

In fact, as James points out, the Corps reps who were advisors on the movie "We've Never Been Licked" lobbied to add details that would make the importance and tradition of the boots clear in the movie. It's a big deal in the movie when Craig gets his boots, for instance.

Within the next year or two, or perhaps already, it will be an "Old Army" pull out to wear black shoes.

The Battalion., August 15, 1944, Image 1