How to Wrap Leggings in WWI Army Uniforms

Leggings known as puttees were part of the World War I military uniform of American soldiers.

Known as Doughboys, American soldiers in World War I made military legging wraps famous. These leggings were called puttees and were wrapped around the calves and over the top of pant legs. Whether you participate in military reenactments, or are just interested in military history and uniforms, wrapping puttees is a way to replicate a bit of history. While the wrapping process can be a difficult task, there are a few steps that can be used to help wrap these World War I leggings.

Things You'll Need

• Puttees

Instructions

1. Roll up the cotton tape end of the puttee toward the end with the wool strip. You want the cotton tape to be in the middle of the roll.

2. Place the free end of the roll on your shin and unroll about 6-inches of it. Unroll until you reach the top of your boot.

3. Fold the legging wrap over and wrap it twice around your leg overlapping the material at the top of your boot.

4. Continue wrapping the leggings up your calf. Make sure to partially overlap the previous layer with each new layer.

5. Unroll the cotton tape once you finish wrapping the leggings. The wrap should end just below your knee near the top of your calf.

6. Wrap the cotton tape around the top of the leggings and tie it with a knot. The leggings should fit snugly but should not be so tight as to cut off circulation.

References

• Hardscrabblefarm.com: Putting On Puttees
• O'Ryan's Roughnecks: Wrap Puttees