Conditioning/weathering a new uniform

[DaveGink]

Hi guys,

Fresh Fish question:

I just received a brand new sack coat and trousers. Needless to say they look and feel brand new and I'd like to find a way to quickly give them a more used appearance. What do you guys do to "break them in". Any secret tips and techniques?

Also, they are itchy as all get-out. Anyway to soften them up at least a little?

Lastly, on a good-fitting sack coat, where does the bottom button sit in conjunction to your belly button? I'm wondering if this coat is a little short as the bottom button sits just above my belly button (by about a half inch).

Thanks!!
Dave

[MStuart]

Dave:

I've found the best way to take off the "new" is to wear 'em. If you don't want to show up at your next event looking like you just came from the quartermaster, wear the new uniform around the house, do yard work or mow the lawn in them (of course, this'll get you strange looks from the neighbors) but the best way to get the new off (IMHO) is to get them worn, dirty, sweat in them and get the fabric used. Perspiration, the fabric getting worn and stretched by having them on, will take the stiff out of them quickly. A little fresh air and being worn will make them look just that...worn.

Mark

[Ephraim_Zook]

Hello, Dave,

Welcome to the wonderful world of...

"Also, they are itchy as all get-out. Anyway to soften them up at least a little?" Get a pair of period drawers. They'll insulate your skin from the wool.

"Lastly, on a good-fitting sack coat, where does the bottom button sit in conjunction to your belly button? I'm wondering if this coat is a little short as the bottom button sits just above my belly button (by about a half inch)." You've probably heard the old army adage that uniforms come in two sizes -- "two" big and "two" small. I wouldn't lose much sleep over the fit. If you can get it on yourself and button it, and you don't look like you are wearing a sausage casing or a potato sack, it's the right size.

[jademonkey]

Dave,

To echo Mark's comment above - to make your uniform look lived-in, wear it. Please, do not, under any circumstances, walk through mud puddles, apply mud to your sleeves etc. They wouldn't have done this, and when you do it, it looks like a brand new uniform with mud applied to it. Remember, they were issued these things new as well, so depending on the scenario, new and clean is appropriate. As far as size goes, the fatigue blouse was issued in 4 standard sizes, so to have it be ill-fitting can also be appropriate. I wear a size 4 blouse, which fits me in the chest but is too short in the arms.

Good luck, Garrett

[tompritchett]

Use your coat as a pillow for a few nights and sleep in the pants. Will definitely get an authentic worn look to them.

Just my 2 cents.

[Rob]

1. Wear it out in the rain.

2. Stand downwind from a road-construction site while they're digging up the pavement. (Preferably while the uniform is still wet from standing out in the rain.)

[Rob Weaver]

The best way to break it in is wear it. A fatigue coat makes a dandy spring or fall jacket. Unfortunately, it's neither spring nor fall right now. I would be cautious about getting it wet. Wool shrinks, and often reenactor garments are not preshrunk. That button that's near your navel will rise toward your breastbone in no time!

God forbid anybody in the army ever drew a new uniform! I got a new coat and trousers about 6-7 years ago, and I was treated like dirt at the first event I at which I wore them! Eventually the unit commander figured out that I'd been reenacting since he was in first grade or so, and he lightened up. Veteran soldiers, and units, got new suits of clothing. Even the shot-up Iron Brigade had new duds in the spring of '64! So don't judge your comrade if his uniform looks right out of the box. Here endeth my catechism.

Sgt. Rob Weaver
Pine River Boys
Co I, 7th Wisconsin Volunteers

[Regular3]

God forbid anybody in the army ever drew a new uniform! I got a new coat and trousers about 6-7 years ago, and I was treated like dirt at the first event I at which I wore them! ..(snip).. Veteran soldiers, and units, got new suits of clothing. Even the shot-up Iron Brigade had new duds in the spring of '64! So don't judge your comrade if his uniform looks right out of the box. Here endeth my catechism.

Sgt. Rob Weaver
Pine River Boys
Co I, 7th Wisconsin Volunteers

Thank you. I bought a pair of trousers last fall but the first chance I got to wear them was this spring at Gaines' Mill, and the ribbing I took was unreal. You'd think nobody ever had to replace anything in this hobby.

Which brings to mind the other question about cleaning buttons and other brass items and the best way to "age" them. When I see that question my answer is always "Do you want to look like you're in the 1860s, or like you're wearing stuff that's 140 years old?"

The original boys did not take pride in being dirty and ragged - A most common complaint was having to 'make do' with worn-out shoes and clothing - So I don't know why some reenactors think we should try to look like we just spent two months in the trenches of Petersburg or Vicksburg.

[kodyharrell]

I think Darrell is right about the aging of uniforms. Back when soldiers got their uniforms, they were new, so why should they look worn out in todays reenactments? They are new just like the original soldiers' were.-Kody

[DaveGink]

Some great information here, thanks everyone!!