The Clothes Make the Man

[kafka47]

Having just watched the old classic: The Man in the White Suit (Alec Guiness)...although, the science mentioned in the film is bunk. Would it be possible...?

The Imperial Fashion industry is really retro, just look at any CT product and you will see the 1970s written all over it. Save the military uniforms, which are classic Star Wars.

Later editions of Traveller did something to improve the fashion sensibility, like TNE, there is the classic all black look. And, I don't think anyone had time to get out of Battle Dress in MT.

T4 probably had a mixture of Roman Empire looks along with Space Suits from what samples Marc sent me a while back.

T20, again, I am holding my breath.

 

[Elliot]

From the Traveller's handbook in T20 everyone looks like they come from the X-Men - Marvel have obviously started up their own line of fashion in 1000 imp

 

[lightsenshi]

Originally posted by plop101:
All this discussion on clothes of the far future has me wondering; how does one do laundry in the far future? Surely someone has thought about it.

?TL16 Meson Washer/Dryer combo?

It's probably absorbed into the statroom/small cabin equipment on a starship. Otherwise, it's probably in the lifestyle cost. Besides, that's what stewards are for.

 

[far-trader]

Originally posted by lightsenshi:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by plop101:
All this discussion on clothes of the far future has me wondering; how does one do laundry in the far future? Surely someone has thought about it.

?TL16 Meson Washer/Dryer combo?

It's probably absorbed into the statroom/small cabin equipment on a starship. Otherwise, it's probably in the lifestyle cost. Besides, that's what stewards are for. </font>[/QUOTE]My vision of the modern fresher, as included in every stateroom, includes a clothes cleaning cycle. Just dump your clothes in, shut the door, start the cycle and wait a few moments, open the door and its all fresh and ready to wear. I imagine the cycle goes something like:

>computer scans to confirm no life forms (simple heat and motion scan, can be fooled or goof)

>artificial gravity module in floor of fresher is set to null and the clothes float freely

>normal clean cycle of fresher is engaged at maximum (this can be water, sonic, both or some other idea, whatever you like), depending on the type of cleaning drying may be needed

>fresher signals cleaning is complete, gravity is reset to normal

Naturally this is only recommended for typical traveller wash-n-wear, not your one of a kind designer dress or Groat leather jacket.

 

[Aquinas]

I had an idea for Army Uniforms that went like this:

The Army has several uniforms ranging from the Battle Dress worn on active service through to the archaic ceremonial uniforms worn at Imperial audiences. The standard field uniform, for temperate climates, (worn over a ballistic cloth armor) is matt green and consists of lose fitting pants, shirt, tie and thick sweater; the service uniform replaces the sweater with a high-collared jacket and smarter pants. Service Dress uniform for NCOs and other ranks consists of knee length boots and britches for the Armor and Cavalry units, and shoes and pants for the other Commands. A single stripe of piping in the color of the command is worn on the out seam of the pants and a peaked cap with a matching band is also worn. All officers in service dress wear britches, an enduring tradition from the Rule of Man, and carry a cavalry sword. Full dress and ceremonial uniforms vary according to rank, unit and command; they are rarely worn outside of the Imperial or Archducal Courts.
Rank insignia for NCOs and other ranks is worn on a brassard and for officers on either shoulder boards or cloth epaulettes, depending on the uniform. Unit identification on field uniform is worn on the right breast and consists of a cloth patch with a gold embroidered insignia: Airspace Command patches are white with either a bomb or a three bladed propeller; Infantry Command patches are red with a silhouette of a grav tank, a missile, crossed rifles, a knife, or a horse shoe; T&L Command patches are black with either a galaxy, a pair of linked cogs, a caduceus, or blank for the Chaplains. In service uniform, the patches are worn on the collar.
The Guards wear standard insignia with the addition of the unit title on each shoulder of the field uniform and a cuff title and collar crest on the service uniform. Prior to the creation of the Archduke of Deneb, the Deneb Guard wore a blank service patch on their collars; Archduke Norris has said that he intends to continue this tradition.


By the way Strephon and Cleon I only have one thing to say...

"must be nice to have a palace"



Vidmar

 

[Jame]

Wan't there some recreationist group in the GUPRS version, where everyone dressed up authentically - oh yeah, the Authenticist Movement! Try dressing up as a Roman nobleman or a Norman knight, and washing as regularly as either!

 

[Aquinas]

Washing as often as a Roman noble wouldn't be too much of a problem, although modern society frowns at spending so long in the bath.

Take your point about the medieval knight or just about any culture in the West prior to about the 19th Century. Queen Elizabeth I was considered excentric because she bathed twice a year rather than just prior to Easter...

On the otherhand, before we run down our Medieval forebears, the monastic orders would bathe daily (they also drank eight gallons of beer per week too but that's another story).

Vidmar

 

[sandman]

Originally posted by Vice-Admiral Vidmar Kulkinski:
On the otherhand, before we run down our Medieval forebears, the monastic orders would bathe daily (they also drank eight gallons of beer per week too but that's another story).

Vidmar

Well, since potable water was rather not *THAT* common, beer was much safer.

Just look at the Royal Navy of the past

 

[Aquinas]

Well, since potable water was rather not *THAT* common, beer was much safer.

Just look at the Royal Navy of the past

True, and in the Empire (Germany) it was indeed small beer. Problems came with the Benedictines in France and Italy who drank wine.


There was a reason for the Reformation critisims of some monks!!

Vidmar

 

[sandman]

Originally posted by Vice-Admiral Vidmar Kulkinski:
Sorry that last post was gibberish... please attempt to understand it (I have a chest infection)

Vidmar

No problem, you can go back and edit it so the quote blocks begins without the "/"

 

[plop101]

I suppose we could use the clothing listed in the equipment section of the D20 Modern game; I'd be good for the lower TL's anyway.

 

[Zutroi]

Ah, beer! Beats dysentary any day! There was a N.European order that asked the Pope for dispensation to drink beer instead of wine during the lenten season, sending along a sample. Said Pope sampled it, spewed it across several nearby cardinals and ordered the monks to drink as much of the stuff as they could handle, since they were obviously drinking this swill as pennance!

At the risk of returning to topic...

Character clothes - I've noted a distinct tendency for Vargr to wear leather jackets, dusters, etc.

Most canon ref's seem to indicate Vilani prefer baggy/loose garments. I take this as an indication of a hightened body-modesty among that culture

Anybody who's gamed with either a woman (just an observation, not a sexist remark - some of my favorite girlfriends are women) or a clothes-horse knows the joy of dressing the characters, which can lead to gunfights at the mall...

 

[Redleg58]

Originally posted by Trader Scott:
another question is. so noble marines wear puffy kilts??

only while at the ballet.......

 

[Redleg58]

Originally posted by RabidVargr:
For clothing, my group (when I inflicted Trav upon them) leaned toward star warsish type clothing. Not the hair styles mind ya, just the clothes. Our Vargr wore cammies. Purple lightweight pants and a brown vest with lots of pockets. And purple shades cause he was cool like that.

RV

Much the same with my group, with the Vargr in red schemed cammies (figured they'd have color issues.....Just kidding) We also imported allot of other influences largely dependent on what Sci-fi book was being read at the time.

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Vice-Admiral Vidmar Kulkinski:
On the otherhand, before we run down our Medieval forebears, the monastic orders would bathe daily (they also drank eight gallons of beer per week too but that's another story).

Always knew those Trappists, Cistercians, and the others had their heads glued on straight. Mmmmm beer... is there anything it can't do? (Hommage to Homer)

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Squid:
reason the marines wear kilts.

I seem to recall reading that Marines wore kilts in GT:GF, although that seems to be at odds with a rather neat presentation from (I believe) Challenge Magazine which showed the uniforms worn by the Marines in the Terran Occupation. I can't recall the issue number.

GT:GF seemed to like kilts and bagpipes for the Marines IIRC. They're very martial (the pipes) and flashy (the kilt and short jacket). And the kilt (as a kilt-owner and kilt-wearer) is an incredibly practical and warm piece of clothing.

I think the Imperium being the size it is, and probably integrating units from different traditions (Solomani, Vilani, Aslan, etc), it may well be that you have a sort of bland de-facto work dress uniform (fatigues or simple office working stuff) or two, a normal blando Standard Dress Uniform (just so everyone can look uniform) and a localized Special Dress Uniform - something that would bring out the regimental traditions of your Marine or Army Regiment or of your Navy Ship or Fleet.

 

[Falkayn]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
GT:GF seemed to like kilts and bagpipes for the Marines IIRC. They're very martial (the pipes) and flashy (the kilt and short jacket). And the kilt (as a kilt-owner and kilt-wearer) is an incredibly practical and warm piece of clothing.

It probably just means Doug likes kilts

Originally posted by kaladorn:
I think the Imperium being the size it is, and probably integrating units from different traditions (Solomani, Vilani, Aslan, etc), it may well be that you have a sort of bland de-facto work dress uniform (fatigues or simple office working stuff) or two, a normal blando Standard Dress Uniform (just so everyone can look uniform) and a localized Special Dress Uniform - something that would bring out the regimental traditions of your Marine or Army Regiment or of your Navy Ship or Fleet.

That sounds like a fine idea. I did invent a Vargr group that wore kilts, it seems to me that with retrograde legs like they do, it makes sense to go for something simple there rather than complicated leggings.

Try this place for some interesting non-traditional kilt designs:
http://www.utilikilts.com/
Warning! Big men with hairy legs ahead!

 

[Jame]

Traveller never did cover clothing. I think WEG's Star Wars game mentioned it.

Aren't clothes, and other things like hygiene kits, assumed to be part of the Traveller's Repertoire?

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Falkayn:
It probably just means Doug likes kilts

Firstly, that would show inestimable fashion sense and practicality, along with a flair for the traditional.

Secondly, and more importantly, there are strong Solomani martial ties here - Kilts appear in just about any force the British ever touched. Even Gurkhas have pipes and kilts. And Canada has a pile of Highlander units as do most former colonies. Even non-Highland units use the pipes, as they are a great mournful sound for taps, last post, etc. and rememberance events.

That sounds like a fine idea. I did invent a Vargr group that wore kilts, it seems to me that with retrograde legs like they do, it makes sense to go for something simple there rather than complicated leggings.

Good thought. They have just the legs for it and the fashion sense of a good (loud) plaid would really work for Vargr. And howling madmen (was that Vargr or Celts?) would be an appropriate historical fit... raiders and freebooters.

Try this place for some interesting non-traditional kilt designs:
http://www.utilikilts.com/

Ta muchly! And I just might *be* one of the men with hairy gams! (Highland blood)

 

[Falkayn]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />
Try this place for some interesting non-traditional kilt designs:
http://www.utilikilts.com/

Ta muchly! And I just might *be* one of the men with hairy gams! (Highland blood) </font>[/QUOTE]I've been given the green light by my wife for a leather utilkilt, but its usually just too dang hot in Australia for me to put up with that - so my first purchase is likely to be denim utilkilt. It also helps that there is a $600 price difference!