(My jacket is obviously a fashion item from God knows when)
There's sheds loads of Army Ivy gear out there, I was in my officer pinks myself to day. Perfect for -6 and below temperatures. Built like a Sherman tank: they can take the action.
To qualify for Army Ivy, I assume it must be military gear that was and is practical for outside of barrack room operations?
Last edited by Liam Mac (2012-02-10 09:58:41)
Oh, crap. Obvious stuff - men just love the military look etc - but you've hit on an area I love. I can't spend too much time on this at moment, but seeing as I see this lovely thread now and am all excited… I should point out that, if you'd had your glasses on, you'd have thought a little differently about my jacket Jim. It is great quality and does look great. Recent made in China thing, though. Gold zips rather than silver etc.
I love military clothes. USN, too. The N-1 jacket, which off the top of my head I think is the one both Paul Newman and Steve McQueen wore. I recently, finally, scored at a reasonable price a WWII pea coat that fits me perfectly and is in breathtaking condition. Some US Coast Guard stuff is also good. The N-3B, a USAF jacket, is another off-duty classic. Just look at the Kennedys (and yes, they count) at play. Ivyists love surplus.
Army colours are wonderful. The olive drabs and khakis (I prefer the slightly darker British khaki most, actually).
Some of the military RRL stuff is good. Some of their chinos. T-shirts too. Thermals. Shirts.
The T-shirt is a US military invention. It was white first, then olive.
HBT and other military caps.
The only scarf I have is the standard US army tubular one, the design of which remains unaltered since at least WWII. Cheap as chips surplus.
WWII US officer's web belt. Nice and narrow. I have a couple, including one in perfect condition with all the gold plate still on the buckle and the box and everything. £7.
You see variations of A-1 mechanics sweaters everywhere.
Wear more than one or two bits of this stuff together, you cease to look off-duty Ivy and instead look full-time Travis Bickle. You can expect security guards to follow you nervously round Tesco Metro. Trust me.
Leather jackets. I prefer the look of the G-1 (USN) over the A-2 nowadays.
Amazing astronauts photo, Liam.
...The black watch cap of course is surplus.
Thanks for the info Paul.
Regimental Ties... Military 'Beater' Watches on Nato G10 straps... Webbing (Surcingle) belts...
By the way, the other problem with the exact WII specs on chinos and pants, is the extreme bagginess. It ain't the slim, no break tapered look like Steve McQueen in the Great Escape - you need to get the local alterations tailor to do some serious taking in and even then you won't be able to get into the Levi Sta-Press/cooler king zone exactly how you want it.
Indeed, some of zips are better spec'd than others. There's a whole section on the WWII zips on their webpage.
Eastman Leather seems the best maker overall. You can always go one better but you know what I mean. God knows when I'd feel able to drop that amount of money on a leather jacket, anyway.
Having a squint at the photo I suppose it's the missing epaulettes and missing wool waistband (doesn't look like it has one to me anyway) that mark it out most obviously as non-original.
More mil ivy: the CPO and chambray shirt.
I'd just like to point out that I don't own everything on my last list!
Last edited by Drink (2012-02-10 12:20:27)
^Of course! And desert boots.
Quite a list.
The USN raincoats that Staceyboy got me interested in look incredible too. I bought two other perfect condition raincoats in the end so will resist buying for a while at least. (I got an Alligator and a (£6!) London Fog.)
One of the big advantages of the G-1 over the A-2 to me is... THROAT LATCH!!! I've only recently warmed to the idea of furry collars as well, so to speak. The ultimate denim jacket maker to me is Lee, but I've only recently seen the beauty of the Stormrider.
Last edited by Drink (2012-02-10 12:35:26)
I'm waiting for a pair of US Navy tan officer's slacks from 1967, ordered from An Affordable Wardrobe. They look like they might fit the bill - will look the business with a pair of burgundy smooths, I'm thinking.