Under-suit Alternatives

[greenyone]

I'm new here and just started the gathering process for my scout build.  In the 'Undersuit Mods' thread I mentioned that I was a bit disappointed in how heavy/thick my recently acquired RedKap coverall is (I'll also add here that it's a poor fit for my body type).  As to not hijack that thread I'm starting a new conversation here.  Anyway, with my RedKap disappointments, I started to turn my attention to an old pair of US Navy Utility coveralls I have lying around my from military days.  It's a much lighter weight composition of the same poly/cotton blend that most Civvy coverall are....which is desirable if you are looking to keep a bit cooler when in full TB garb in the warmer months.  So as I'm inspecting the USN version and thinking about attempting to dye it black and make the necessary alternations I started obsessing on how poorly these things fit me.  I'm not a big buy.  About 5'-9" 163lbs but I have somewhat broad shoulders for my height.  So a size 40 fits well in the legs, but not so much in the shoulders.  I have the same problem buying suits and dress shirts.  To get them to fit me in the shoulders I need to get a 42 which then causes the bottom of the shirt to hang to my knees.   With the coveralls I end up with a properly fitting top portion and at the bottom I'm "bustin a sag" in the crotch/butt.  Which is fine for working conditions, but maybe not if you are trying to do cosplay and want to eliminate the sag.  I think the ultimate reason is that coveralls are probably meant to be worn over pants.  That's how we were instructed to wear them my Uncle Sam anyway...take off your over-shirt and put the coverall on over your undershirt and uniform pants.  We never did this in the Navy.  Most of us squids just had the coveralls on with nothing but skivvies and a white undershirt underneath to keep cool and flexible while crawling around the belly of a boat or in my case an aircraft.  Anyway...the point here is, why are we using coveralls anyway?  With only portions of the neck, legs and arms visible couldn't we turn to better fitting pants and shirts for the under-suit?   If so I kinda like the idea of a pair of black cargo type pants with external pockets that would be easy to remove paired up with something like a black 1/4 zip tactical shirt. 

Is anyone doing this...if not..thoughts?

[BikerScout007]

We do coveralls because they used flight suits in the film.  Coveralls are cheaper, in particular the Red Kaps, as I stated in the other thread.  

You can do a two-piece.  A lot of ladies do two-pieces because it makes it easier if a bathroom break is required.  It just has to have the appearance of a one-piece suit, as in the film.

The garments you posted seem to have a lot of pockets to remove.  And it would still require the making of a mandarin collar flap.  

[Barber]

If you decide to go the Red-Kap undersuit route, you can always take them in where needed. I bought one that fit me perfectly in my torso and height. Then we (mostly my wife) seam ripped the legs and arms completely. I put the suit on inside out, she pinned it all the way down the legs and arms, then sewed it back up. This way it's a more form fitting suit for me. It also made it easier to sew on the riding patches.

Just a thought.

[greenyone]

2 hours ago, BikerScout007 said:

We do coveralls because they used flight suits in the film.  Coveralls are cheaper, in particular the Red Kaps, as I stated in the other thread.  

You can do a two-piece.  A lot of ladies do two-pieces because it makes it easier if a bathroom break is required.  It just has to have the appearance of a one-piece suit, as in the film.

The garments you posted seem to have a lot of pockets to remove.  And it would still require the making of a mandarin collar flap.  

It doesn't seem that a 1 piece suit is a CRL requirement....is it?  

[greenyone]

1 hour ago, Barber said:

If you decide to go the Red-Kap undersuit route, you can always take them in where needed. I bought one that fit me perfectly in my torso and height. Then we (mostly my wife) seam ripped the legs and arms completely. I put the suit on inside out, she pinned it all the way down the legs and arms, then sewed it back up. This way it's a more form fitting suit for me. It also made it easier to sew on the riding patches.

Just a thought.

Yes.  I'd be game for that.   But as I said, I'm not a fan of the heavy RedKap material.  I may try it with another brand that uses a thinner more breathable fabric.

[BikerScout007]

2 minutes ago, greenyone said:

It doesn't seem that a 1 piece suit is a CRL requirement....is it?  

I'll quote the CRL

"The undersuit is a one or two-piece black textile suit, such as military flightsuits, motorcycle racing suits, industrial work clothing (Red Kap/Dickies), or similar suits modified appropriately."

[greenyone]

For those of you looking for a lightweight alternative.  I decided dig into my old US Navy Seabag to pull out an pair of GI issued dark navy blue coveralls.  These are a very nice thin weight coverall that has the same 65% 35% poly/cotton blend as the popular RedKap coverall (albeit a much thinner weight version of that blend).  I believe the Navy used these in the 80's up until the mid 2000's if you care to try and find them on Ebay, a govt. auction site. or wherever.  I gave them the old sailors try with the Rit DyeMore "graphite" fabric dye.  This is the closest thing to black that they make in their line of dyes for poly blended fabrics.  But for all intents and purposes...it's black.  I'd call this a success.  After an hour in the stove-top dye bath, rinsing followed by a cycle in the washing machine they are in fact more black than the brand new RedKap garment.