Since the day I started messing in the black powder dark arts I swore I would absolutely never be sucked into the furry hat group that likes to dress up in period clothing. As usual I am eating my words. While experimenting with different configurations of equipment, trying to carry everything that I would need for a rendezvous or an all day hunting trip into hostile Indian territory, "She who must be obeyed" declared that I needed to dress the part because in her words I looked like a dork wearing the bags, horn, etc in modern clothes. Before I start working on the finer details I have acquired some basics; moccassins, linen hunting shirt, canvas pants, 3" leather belt. I am aiming roughly for the Lewis & Clark trapper era. Here is a picture that she took this morning while I was trying everything on for size.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Rendezvous%20outfit/IMG_0411_zpsb68b5c76.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Rendezvous%20outfit/IMG_0411_zpsb68b5c76.jpg.html)
It would probably look better if I wasn't wearing the John Lennon costume glasses and I wasn't puffing out my cheeks, but that's what happens when she wants to take pictures of me a 5:30 in the morning.
I plan on dying the belt reddish brown, along with making a 3" leather sash that will connect to the belt so I can turn it into a batman like utility belt and hang some of the smaller tools that are in the bag to make shooting more efficient. I need to cut some length off the pants, and I guess I need to pick up a felt hat since I have bean told repeatedly that my canvas oilskin hat is not correct. And when I first walked in with my Daniel Boone coonskin hat she laughed hard at first then started looking up divorce attorney to make me take it off.
So this is the beginning and I am actively seeking advice, comments, and even criticisms towards finishing this outfit up. I didn't want to do it, but if I have to, then I would like it to be proper.
Yep, a new hat, maybe a wide brim felt one, or a wool sock hat for cold mornings. You might want to dye the shirt & pants as well. Brown, dark green, blue--some earth color. A really good start, Should work most places the thread counters aren't attending....Tom
yep , nice dye job , a new hat , and you`re good to go !
thmbsup wtch
ROFL Not your picture, but rather dealing "SHE", do NOT let her dictate what you wear! Mine tried that and I told her SHE could drive to the rondies and wear what SHE wanted and I would take my truck and wear what I wanted, Long story short, I wear what I want and SHE rides along and keeps her comments to herself. Any comments at Rondy and it's a LONG walk back home! :mini-devil-28492:
The next item I would suggest is a canteen. Got to have some water.
belt is just a little to new looking ! rub a little olive oil into it and let it lie in the sun for a while , it`ll darken up a bit , or you could use a little wood stain or leather dye ( either one works ) and after it dries rub some johnsons paste wax on it , let it sit for several minutes then buff it with a piece of denim or canvas . gives it a nice aged look and softens the leather up a bit !
So as much as I hate hats, and after watching Jeremiah Johnson again, would this hat be politically correct?
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Rendezvous%20outfit/BLACK_LEATHER_CLINT_NO_NAME_HAT_015_zpsbfb80cd7.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Rendezvous%20outfit/BLACK_LEATHER_CLINT_NO_NAME_HAT_015_zpsbfb80cd7.jpg.html)
I gave away my old tophats and I really don't think a fez will work out well, and the Stetsons are too modern.
Quote from: beowulf on November 13, 2014
belt is just a little to new looking ! rub a little olive oil into it and let it lie in the sun for a while , it`ll darken up a bit , or you could use a little wood stain or leather dye ( either one works ) and after it dries rub some johnsons paste wax on it , let it sit for several minutes then buff it with a piece of denim or canvas . gives it a nice aged look and softens the leather up a bit !
Just got the belt off Ebay, it was supposed to be already stained but is just raw leather. After I figure out how I want to build in sheaths and loops and such I will put it all together and color it up a bit. You know I like pretty and shiny things.
My main suggestion here is the Minnetonka Mocc's. They work good ( I have a set also) but if your going for the Lewis and Clark era they are inapproprate unless you are spanish. Those high tops with fringe are apache in origine and we didn't meet up with them for a few more years...
I cut the fringe off mine and go away with them at the events I go to. But becareful if you walk over the sides of the sole they don't recover well. pnic
the hat ! hhhhmmmm ! maybe get away with a southwestern portrayal ,,,,maybe ! it`s a nice hat and all , but I think I`d go with felt ! . but that`s just me ! lol have owned several over the years , have a couple of liberty caps , had a really nice coyote fur hat with a bill , that I made , but last several years its been felt ! why ? well because I "felt" like it ! ROFL ROFL ROFL :mini-devil-28492:
;D Find the cheapest old felt cowboy hat you can find without a bound rim ,push out the crease in the crown then steam to hold shape and you have a pretty close hat they would have had back then. The outfit looks pretty darn good.
thmbsup
Quote from: Hawken50 on November 14, 2014
;D Find the cheapest old felt cowboy hat you can find without a bound rim ,push out the crease in the crown then steam to hold shape and you have a pretty close hat they would have had back then. The outfit looks pretty darn good.
So just ware the old hat in the swimming hole a few times...that seems to loosen them up a little and make them floppy. Try it, it works...
Doug
Quote from: Hawken50 on November 14, 2014
;D Find the cheapest old felt cowboy hat you can find without a bound rim ,push out the crease in the crown then steam to hold shape and you have a pretty close hat they would have had back then. The outfit looks pretty darn good.
Now that seems like the kind of thing I can do well. As a matter of fact I have inadvertently done that to a few rather expensive Stetsons over the years. I didn't know I was actually remodeling them. I guess I was just ahead of my time.
Thanks, I will try that this weekend.
Quote from: Red Badger on November 14, 2014
My main suggestion here is the Minnetonka Mocc's. They work good ( I have a set also) but if your going for the Lewis and Clark era they are inapproprate unless you are spanish. Those high tops with fringe are apache in origine and we didn't meet up with them for a few more years...
I cut the fringe off mine and go away with them at the events I go to. But becareful if you walk over the sides of the sole they don't recover well. pnic
¿Quién te dijo que yo era español? ROFL
Actually I had to look that one up. I speak (well, I used to years ago) German & French and understood quite a bit of Russian along with some working Spanish, but nowadays I am lucky if I can understand English most of the time.
HotFxr - re read the rules - All posts must be in ENGLISH!!!! (so I can look up the words in the dictionary!) whipping
Quote from: Red Badger on November 25, 2014
HotFxr - re read the rules - All posts must be in ENGLISH!!!! (so I can look up the words in the dictionary!) whipping
Rules? :o
READING? pnic I didn't know this was going to be a test. hdslp I don't like tests, they make my brain hurt. Ow, ow, ow.
(It's an incorrect translation of "How did you know I was Spanish" provided by an acquaintance.)
(He doesn't like tests either)
Tests? We don' need no steenking tests!
lol
We now return you to your regulary scheduled nightmare.... flwa
Nightmare? Yes choosing a hat is a nightmare. Especially when I really don't like wearing hats. So y'all can help me choose which top piece is right and proper.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/Hats001_zps0a1a2975.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/Hats001_zps0a1a2975.jpg.html)
The ubiquitous Davey Crockett/Danial Boone faux fur coonskin cap. my opinion: :o I don't thinks so Tim!
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/Hats008_zpsa25a6fb1.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/Hats008_zpsa25a6fb1.jpg.html)
Ahh, the ever popular (with the sea going crowd) Tam-O-Shanter. A wise choice on cool days.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/Hats003_zpsefc7b90f.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/Hats003_zpsefc7b90f.jpg.html)
The ever popular Moroccan Fez, predating the mountain men however a sure guarantee to get ones hind end thoroughly trounced at most gatherings.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/Hats004_zpsacbfaac0.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/Hats004_zpsacbfaac0.jpg.html)
The Amish straw hat, kind of goes with the no modern tools theme, but again a bit on the prissy side.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/Hats005_zps8b218b80.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/Hats005_zps8b218b80.jpg.html)
Hmmm, it's wool but a little too downtown sugar daddy for me. hdslp
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/Hats010_zpsa7215c11.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/Hats010_zpsa7215c11.jpg.html)
Heeding Hawken50's advice (sage and wise always) a flat brimmed wool hat reshaped to no shape and the added embellishment of a beeswax coated leather braid (by yours truly) that an be worn proudly wheresoever 1800's gentlemen might gather. Hint, I think this one is the proper choice. dntn
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Hats/b2c91598-2816-47f4-ae58-f22f3f5a92e1_zps74a837c6.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Hats/b2c91598-2816-47f4-ae58-f22f3f5a92e1_zps74a837c6.jpg.html)
An added pictorial bonus, in making a belt, I added a 3" strap that will go over the shoulder, aid in keeping said belt in the correct vertical position, and will add places for additional knives and tools such as pan primer, cappers, etc. A bit more fitting then a nice stain and oil finish then one more item done.
As always, all comments and opinions for and against are welcome.
go with the tin hat ! thmbsup ROFL ROFL ROFL
The Tam is the only possible choice...
;D I am thinking a man of your good looks and Machismo could pull off the downtown Hotfxr Brown Sugardaddy look ,,,,,,,,, ROFL
Quote from: Hawken50 on November 30, 2014
;D I am thinking a man of your good looks and Machismo could pull off the downtown Hotfxr Brown Sugardaddy look ,,,,,,,,, ROFL
Ahhh many apologies for crediting RB with the hat suggestion. I have corrected my mistake and you are now the giver of wise & sage advice. Although I don't know what a spice has to do with advice or even hats for that matter. Oh well, I never claimed to be that smart.
Quote from: Dogshirt on November 13, 2014
ROFL Not your picture, but rather dealing "SHE", do NOT let her dictate what you wear! Mine tried that and I told her SHE could drive to the rondies and wear what SHE wanted and I would take my truck and wear what I wanted, Long story short, I wear what I want and SHE rides along and keeps her comments to herself. Any comments at Rondy and it's a LONG walk back home! :mini-devil-28492:
After 36 years of wedded
arduous agony, I mean bliss, I am a good 15 years or so past the "I can afford to get divorced" stage. And seeing as she is the one with the steady job nowadays, I generally defer to her at least in the matters of fashion. Of course letting her have the upper hand in clothing issues means that she makes any clothes that I need so I don't have to learn how to sew.Then she gets to travel to any shoots she wants to go to on the back of the Electra-glide. (The one without a working intercom I might add)
I prefer the Fez, since a Fez make a stout person look fat and a tall person looks like a Giant.
Mostly finished the belt. Tried to figure out how the innovative members of the L&C adventure would have modified their outfits to carry more without strings tangling up and getting caught on stuff and this is what I came up with. I added a 3" leather sash that does a couple of things. I lets me carry and extra knife that is easily accessible by reaching back or I was thinking of attaching a quiver there. I am going to add a couple of buttons to the front to hang who knows what, I will think of something. The small pocket on the front holds either a pan primer of a capper. I even mad a little slide on sheath that lets me carry an extra small knife that also is easy to reach. Plus the sash allows the belt to stay op on my waist since my ever shrinking hiney allows whatever I am wearing to slide down too far.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Belt/Belt001_zps6a277ab2.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Belt/Belt001_zps6a277ab2.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Belt/Belt002_zpsaa1a57e9.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Belt/Belt002_zpsaa1a57e9.jpg.html)
Pay no attention to the model, he was just some guy that decided to break in one night ignoring all the warning to the contrary. Of course he is a bit skinnier than I am so that sash comes in real handy.
With that outfit maybe you should get a Sgt Preston of the Mounties hat..... and then dye the belt black ...
cuch
And I was the first to answer you on the hat issue.... :blech:
[And I was the first to answer you on the hat issue.... :blech:[/quote]
Refer to my statement above, I have never claimed to be smart, or even particularly aware of my surroundings most of the time.