Carried With Honor: The Women Veterans Day Collection
At R. Riveter, we believe that every stitch tells a story. This Women Veterans Day, we’re proud to introduce a truly meaningful limited-edition collection: handmade bags crafted from authentic uniforms worn by trailblazing female Marines who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
These one-of-a-kind pieces are more than just bags—they’re legacies, carried forward.
Preserving Her Story—One Bag at a Time
For generations, women in uniform have served with strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment—often without the recognition they deserved. Our Women Veterans Day Collection brings their service into the spotlight by transforming pieces of military history into something new, tangible, and deeply personal.
Each bag in this collection is handcrafted in the United States by our team of military spouses and artisans, using authentic uniforms donated by female veterans. From the fabric to the form, each detail honors the legacy of the women who wore them.
The Korean War: Service and Strength in Stripes
In 1950, as the Korean War escalated, women in the Marine Corps Reserves were mobilized in unprecedented numbers. With 2,787 women Marines serving on active duty, their roles stateside freed up male Marines for combat duty—and their presence became essential to the war effort.
One of the standout pieces from this era was the 1951 Summer Uniform—a practical yet polished one-piece dress made from green-and-white striped nylon-dacron. Known for its wrinkle resistance and ease of care, it was paired with a tailored jacket, detailed with epaulets and green piping, and a matching overseas cap.
Now, that same fabric has been reimagined into timeless, handmade bags that honor the women who wore them with pride.
The Vietnam War: Breaking Barriers, Redefining Roles
As the Vietnam War intensified, the role of women Marines expanded. Approximately 2,700 women served during this time, with 36 breaking barriers by deploying to Vietnam in various support roles.
Uniforms evolved, too—first with a dacron-cotton blend in 1962, then a lightweight polyester-cotton mix in 1966. Designed for the harsh tropical climate, these two-piece dresses in green-and-white corded fabric reflected a shift toward more functional, formal attire for women. They also symbolized a broader transformation: one where women began to access more advanced training and leadership opportunities within the Marine Corps.
These fabrics—once worn in service and strength—now live on in every handcrafted R. Riveter bag in this collection.
A Collection That Carries Her Legacy
Each piece in the Women Veterans Day Collection is limited, personal, and powerful. No two are exactly alike. The variations in fabric, the subtle marks of time, the details once sewn into uniforms—all serve as reminders of the women who wore them and the paths they helped pave.
This is more than a tribute. It’s a chance to carry her story, every day.
Join us in Honoring Her
This Women Veterans Day, we invite you to shop the collection and honor the legacy of female veterans who helped shape history. These bags are not just accessories—they’re symbols of service, strength, and remembrance.
Explore the Women Veterans Day Collection
Handmade in America. Powered by women. Inspired by those who served.
