uniforms and gear
Unless you've got a lot on money to drop, the Blackhawk tac vests are nice, but not worth the cost unless you're really gonna use it for something.
Omega Tactical Vest Black-#1 -Mesh 30VT03BK retails off the website for $134.95 not counting S&H. That's their basic vest. They have about 12 different types all told.
If you hit a military surplus store [and, if you have to, do a web search and buy from there, but you'll have minimal idea what you're getting unless you can talk 'milspeak']
Remember, they don't always wear vests. Sometimes they're in daypacks, sometimes bigger ALICE rigs with LBE [Load Beraing Equipment]. Don't forget Field Protective mask, canteen -cup - cover, web belt, ammo and first aid pouches... any one a lot of things.
If you buy BDU's, besure to wash them several times before you wear them or the finish in the material will rub you raw in delicate spots. EXCEPT the hats... they shrink. So either follow the direction and cold hand wash and let the hats dry or try a size or two larger and hope they shrink to fit.
Yes... you've got three color choices... actually four, if you count the old Air Force olive drab fatigues they wear on occosion. Those are Mil Surplus finds. In fact, unless you want to pay around $25.00 US for a shirt and another for a pair of pants, go used. The hat will run you about $15.00 or so, depending where you are. Now I'm talking military grade uniforms here, not the 'fly-by-nights' that will melt in your washer on the second pass.
Belt! Don't forget a belt for your pants. $6 or 7 there.
Woodland is the most common, followed by Desert [DCU's - SG-1 one wears the three color pattern, most of the Sesert Storm were the five color ones] and then the blue. The blue are actually the dark navy blue BDUs that have been washed several times to lighten them a bit.
You'll need a t-shirt under all that. They seem to get away with black most of the time, but that not really authorised except in the black BDU's. Opps... there's a fifth color. the OD brown ones run around $5.00 used... $8.00 or so new.
Next come boots. Unless you want to pay anywhere from $85 [real cheap ones that will hurt your feet] up to $200.00 something, again, buy used - around $50 or so. these may take you longer to find as combat boots are made in men's sizes. I wear a 5&1/2 wide in a men's boot [a 6$1/2 - 7 women's shoe]. And since they're already used and broken into someone elses feet, make sure the pair you get are comfortable. They *will* not re-break in. Get several pairs of thick socks if necessay. this is 'in the field' experience talking. You don't want combat boot blisters, believe me.
Okay... so we have hat, shirt [called a jacket in the military - the field jacket is actually a field coat], pants, boots, various packs, web gear and stuff. If you bought this stuff new, you'd be looking at around, including vest, somewhere in the high $300's low $400's US.
For a con?
Okay... so I'm a party pooper. People see me at cons in my military gear. What some folks fail to realize is I've spent over 20 years collecting all this courtisy of my 'Uncle Sam' who made me wear it and learn to use it. My Kelvar vest and helmet saw time in Desert Shield - Desert Storm, same with my ruck, my field protective mask, my ALICE pack and LBE. The military kept my sidearm, but my personal sidearm is identical to the one I carried for a lot of years. I've had to pay for items issued to me that I've lost, and believe me, it can get expensive. Makes me marvel at the creativness of the SGC supply section for writing off so much stuff or every single person on every team would be in hock to the government.
My point is: Find some used stuff that looks right, I've found the patches from Intergalactic Trading Company to be the right size [web search for them], Grab a black t-shirt and a comfortable pair of black boots [ if you *do* buy boots, prepaired to take a long time to break them in. Now is not too soon to start off slowly for the Con in Sept.] Snag a hat and just come and enjoy yourself.
With anyone who wears a uniform for a living: You wear the uniform, the uniform doesn't wear you. If you look, walk and act confident and comfortable in it, you'll pull off the look better than someone who spent a bucket full of money and looks like a geek.
Just a hint from 'Ol' Sarge'.
