PHOTOS: Delta Uniforms through the years

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PHOTOS: Delta Uniforms through the years

From once-required hats and gloves, to bell bottoms, to the iconic red dress and Zac Posen purple, Delta Air Lines' uniforms have evolved over the decades. The airline unveiled its newest uniform for 2024.

Delta Air Lines' first flight attendants started in 1940. The winter uniform consisted of a navy blue jacket and skirt, a cap. White gloves were also part of the official uniform. The uniform was purchased from Rich's department store in Atlanta, Georgia. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta's 1940 summer uniform was a beige jacket and skirt and a rust-colored, open-collared blouse. (Delta Flight Museum)

In 1942, flight attendants wore black jackets, skirts, caps and shoes. The winter uniform included a black tie. A white tuxedo-front blouse without a tie was required in summer. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta's flight attendant uniform shifted to a tan ensemble in the summer from 1943-1946. A tan cap and white, button-down blouse completed the look. This image is from 1945 on the apron of the then Atlanta Airport.

Male pursers briefly joined the crew in 1946 through 1948. They wore maritime uniforms. A purser and female flight attendant worked in teams. (Delta Flight Museum)

Military styling continued for the winter from 1947 to 1949, with a navy jacket, skirt, overseas cap and pumps. The white blouse had a jewel neckline. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta's summer uniform for 1947 was tan, as in 1946, but the skirts lost their pleating and the jackets went from two buttons to one. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta adopted a sorter cream Eisenhower jacket, white blouse and navy blue skirt in the summer from 1948-1953. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta continued navy blue suiting for winter from 1950-1956. Adjustments were made with narrower skirts and wider lapels on the jacket.

Light blue was the color for the summer from 1954 to 1965. Considered a "tropical weight," the uniform was worn year-round on international flights. (Delta Flight Museum)

Uniform coloring shifted to grey from the winter in 1956 and 1957. Black-and-white stiletto spectator pumps completed the look. (Delta Flight Musem)

Delta closed out the 1950s with a navy blue collarless jacket, narrow skirt, cap and navy stiletto pumps. (Delta Flight Museum)

Academy Award-winning designer Edith Head designed Delta's winter uniform worn from 1959-1965.

Delta's French blue crepe suit topped with a pillbox hat set the tone for winter, 1965-1968. The hat replaced the traditional overseas cap, which had been worn since the 1940s. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta shifted to an iridescent-green version of their winter suit for 1966-1968. (Delta Flight Museum)

Red and black were the colors for Delta winter uniforms in 1968-1970. (Delta Flight Museum)

Pastels and polyester-knit dresses made up Delta's summer uniforms from 1969-1970. Reversible serving smocks paired with the aquanox blue, grenelle green and sunshine yellow dresses. (Delta Flight Museum)

The 1970s brought about significant changes in Delta's flight attendant uniforms -- pants. Also, hats were no longer required. (Delta Flight Museum)

Male flight attendants joined Delta cabin in 1973. They wore navy suit jackets and gray pants with a red/white/blue striped tie. Female flight attendants wore classic blazers in blue or red. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta's female flight attendants could choose sky blue or camel leisure suits, wrap dresses, or traditional blazers, slacks and skirts from 1975-1979. (Delta Flight Museum)

In 1983, Delta established its longest-worn look of a tailored navy blue suiting. Flight attendants wore this uniform until 2001. (Delta Flight Museum)

In 1983, Delta established its longest-worn look of a tailored navy blue suiting. Flight attendants wore this uniform until 2001. (Delta Flight Museum)

In the 1990s, red jackets were added as an option to the blue uniforms. (Delta Flight Museum)

Navy blue gave way to charcoal gray and blue accents from 2001 to 2006. (Delta Navy Flight Museum)

The iconic red dress was introduced for Delta flight attendants in 2006 and was a staple until 2018. Starting in 2008, flight attendants could wear a pink version of the dress for Breast Cancer Awareness month. (Delta Flight Museum)

Delta launched its purple uniforms in 2018. Some Delta employees alleged that wearing their uniforms caused skin rashes, headaches, fatigue and other issues. Delta offered an alternative gray uniform for those who opted out of wearing purple. (Steve Schaefer / AJC)

Delta Air Lines unveiled new employee uniform prototypes. The navy blue and burgundy colors will eventually replace purple uniforms.(Delta)

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Delta Air Lines' first flight attendants started in 1940. The winter uniform consisted of a navy blue jacket and skirt, a cap. White gloves were also part of the official uniform. The uniform was purchased from Rich's department store in Atlanta, Georgia. (Delta Flight Museum)

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