Clothing, post-SHTF/TEOTW
#101166
02/10/2012 09:38 AM
02/10/2012 09:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7 NC
americanpatriot7787
OP
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7
NC
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Hey all, long time reader, first time poster.
I have read quite a few different post on this site and many others regarding things to either stockpile or cache for TEOTW scenarios. Most dealing with the basics : food, water, shelter, security, medical and in at least some aspect clothing.
This is where I had by "little light bulb" go off; most articles or post say "3 pairs of socks, and cold weather gear in your B.O.B.", or something to that effect. But, after the SHTF where do more clothes come from? I have not yet read a post promoting the stockpiling of clothing, and although I have not read everything out there (far from it), I believe it deserves a mention at the very least.
The second thing I wanted to mention was clothing repair, now, assuming that you have a stockpile of clothing both for yourself and immediate family (including children now and for their growth spurts)without stores to go to and buy new clothes what happens when they wear out? I bring this up because today I had an epiphany... I have this one pair of jeans that I love, they are insulated (a must in these cold northern winters) and plain enough to blend in. They do, however, have one gaping hole in the crotch...I didn't want to throw them away, so I asked the wife if she could sew them up for me. She agreed, with the stipulation that I get the patch needed for her to fix the jeans with. That is where my idea came from, I took two old pairs of jeans I had from high school, when i was big into "looking cool" and before my awakening, and decided that I would never again wear them. So I cut them up, and in the process I realized a couple things.
1. By cutting each leg individually, you essentially get 4 usable areas to pull patches from.
2. By cutting off the bottom hem, and the hems on the pant legs themselves I made 12 tourniquets.
3. If you are careful, you can remove the back pockets without damaging them or the fabric underneath, which results in 2 more "normal" patches, and the pockets, which are sturdy enough to be used as elbow or knee reinforcements.
4. You can save the zippers and buttons also. They can be reattached to new pants or clothes you make, or they can be saved for barter.
5. The fabric "recovered" from the jeans doesn't have to be patches for other clothing items, they could be boiled in water to make wound dressings, or used as general-purpose rags (as I found in afghanistan when my shop ordered rags, and received 2 boxes of shredded jeans and t-shirts)
I dunno, just my two cents. I hadn't seen much in the way of clothing preparation advice, so I thought I could help change that. Hope it helps offer a new way of looking at those old clothes!
Semper Fi! I swore to defend and uphold the Constitution, not the political agenda of some desk-jockey with dreams of dictatorial grandeur.
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Re: Clothing, post-SHTF/TEOTW
#101169
02/11/2012 03:15 AM
02/11/2012 03:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 968 A 127 Btn 10 FF
Leo
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 968
A 127 Btn 10 FF
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This is a very good topic and seemly over looked. I am guilty myself. Safetalker is also right. You have to have real clothes,not just militaria style duds.
CK, you make me laugh, but in a good way.
Reply With Quote I think in the first stages of an emergency, the average patriot should wear khakis, basic casual wear and a windbreaker. Exactly what you'd wear for working around the farm.
I grew up around the farm, come from farmers and never saw khakis except to go to church on Sunday. Jeans and Carhartts seemed to be what we have always worn and seen warn.
Just poking you a little.
Leo out
Fight the fight, Endure to win!
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Re: Clothing, post-SHTF/TEOTW
#101170
02/11/2012 05:32 AM
02/11/2012 05:32 AM
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,705 Western States
Breacher
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,705
Western States
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I have different clothes in different bugout bags depending on season, climate, expected mode of travel ect.
Generally speaking, you go with a layered approach, clothes with no visible readable labels or slogans on the outside, I am also partial to new or like new clothes for this, so as to not be mistaken as a bum. Figure you could go a few days without the clothes being washed, so colors matching the dirt in your environment might be more functional.
A lot of times, durable vs lightweight seems to be the big issue. Some of my bugout stuff is lightweight, but not particularly durable. The plan on some socks and underwear in certain bugout kits is to simply throw them away when they get dirty. Same with some T shirts.
Carhartt cargo pants are probably the best of the best for retreat and rough travel wear, just twice as bulky as other clothes that you would want to carry in a backpack. The shrinkage issue can mess up the fit and restrict your movement in them for combat purposes, but your mileage may vary. A lot of the homeless people around here seem to consider Carhartts to be a fashion statement, as the color of their orange/tan is quasi-camoflage and the clothes are durable enough to sit on the ground a lot in, which they seem to do a lot of.
Life liberty, and the pursuit of those who threaten them.
Trump: not the president America needs, but the president America deserves.
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Re: Clothing, post-SHTF/TEOTW
#101172
02/12/2012 05:50 AM
02/12/2012 05:50 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 639 Eastern NC
HARBINGER
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 639
Eastern NC
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My everyday wardrobe has become earth tones. I'm more partial to carpenter pants than cargo pants though I may regret that later. Wrangler jeans are pretty tough they hold up as well as any and cost way less. Some hunting gear is good got some pants I've had for 4-5 years can't remember name bought at wal-mart. Not a bad idea to have BDU's for down the road but to start off dockers and a windbreaker may be the best cammo to hide in plain sight.
Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. - Psalm, CXLIV
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Re: Clothing, post-SHTF/TEOTW
#101173
02/12/2012 06:29 AM
02/12/2012 06:29 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,229 61Bttn; 42FF West. Wash.
Lord Eoin
NCO Contributor
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NCO Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,229
61Bttn; 42FF West. Wash.
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I buy cargo Khakis or other neutral color clothes thru Sportsmans guide. ...My problem is that I went from Large to Xlarge after my last surgery....So I have numerous pairs of Large, Bdus and khakis pantsThe local thrift store has lots of Clothing that fits the bill for neutral and rugged.
" Don't Tread On Me "
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