Gray-scale Indy - General Gear

[riothamus]

I kind of ressurected an old thread in the jacket section but thought that my continued interest might be better addressed here. Black jackets are available from USW, G&B, and Wested, gray fedoras are available from AB, Pennman, and Hatsdirect.

That leaves the rest of the gear. Primarily, I'm interested in everyday gear, so not so much the holster and whip, though a gunbelt could be used for pants.

I know Wade and Magnoli have black straps available, but what about the bag? I can think of three options:

• Use the vintage MKVII with a black strap
  Use a different bag in the spirit of Indy
  Re-dye a vintage or repro bag

I'm not sure the OD color will look right with a black jacket, gray hat, and gray-scale shirt/pants and I like the MK bags and I don't want to buy a bag when I already have MK bags.

So I think I'm going to try removing the dye from a MKVI repro I have and re-dyeing to a charcoal gray only buying a black strap.

Thoughts?

Riothamus

[Chewbacca Jones]

For a repro bag, I suggest finding the lightest offering, rather than the most accurate copy. Maybe a cheap ebay offering. Then, add the dye. Either that, or cannibalize something of a gray color and make a simple bag out of it... or maybe a sort of "sock" to put on your existing bag.

I did not know that Magnoli offered a black strap, so thanks for that! I'm working on a gray-scale Indy outfit, too. Haven't gotten very far.

The pants and shirt are a problem. I can find close-enoughs for a dark gray shirt and black pants, but think the outfit would work better with dark gray pants and a light gray shirt. I know Magnoli could make both, and they would be very accurate. Good if you plan to wear them as everyday items, but expensive for a once-in-a-while gear appearance. I'll probably go this route at some point.

[riothamus]

Definitely not going to try to dye an original MK at this point.

I have a reproduction bag that is a brown/yellow/mustard khaki color that I wouldn't care if it got messed up color-wise. I know it is sturdy, so I don't want to bother with something like the costumebase on the bay that migtht not hold up to weight.

I'm definitely in the close-enough camp on pants and shirts. I do indeed intend to wear (and do wear what I have) the gear in daily life. I'm still not quite to the point of affording clothes that expensive so I'll stick with close enoughs.

I'll post when I have something to report on the bag!

Excelsior!
Riothamus

[knibs7]

I'm just having a hard time coming to grips with a gray-scale Indy attire. My stomach just doesn't sit right when I think of black and gray gear

Kyle

[riothamus]

Well, it definitely wouldn't be the full gear with holster and whip. But since I have such a nice gray AB and I like to vary my work attire between browns and grays/blacks then a bag that will work with those clothes is a good addition. I don't think I'll have black aldens either for that matter. Just some regular black dress shoes.

I could go with just a functional bag but I'd have to spend money on one and they aren't necessarily made well these days and I really like the functionality of the MK bags.

Plus it should be fun to experiment!

Excelsior!
Riothamus

[fenris]

How about soaking the bag in bleach first to make it a whiter color so the gray dye will be able to seep in more?

[riothamus]

I am going to use either bleach or a dye remover before trying the black/gray dye. I've been doing some research on past threads (I used the search button! ) and I've come up with dylon dye and RIT. What I'm not sure about is the best way/product to remove dye first.

Excelsior!
Riothamus

[Chewbacca Jones]

Perhaps RIT has a product for that. Otherwise, diluted bleach I guess. Pure bleach would work great to remove the color, but it can do other, less desirable things, too.

[John Vaughan]

Have you tried going to the Sportsman's Guide? I was there looking for a bag and came across a few close enoughs. I'm sure there was a black bag in their military section. It's not a gas bag but rather a canvas shoulder bag. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/m ... x?a=604928

Peace

John

[Chewbacca Jones]

Nice find, John. If it was bigger, I would scoop up one in every color. I might still get a black one for the Gray-scale gear, though.

[John Vaughan]

Thanks Bro. I've been really eyeing that thing for awile. I know it's not SA and even tho' I'm starting to put together a SA version of Indys outfit, it's just something I wouldn't wear every day. My weekend attire is Indy inspired. Hat, jacket, color of clothing and the like. It just looked like something I would use, say on a hike.

[riothamus]

Just ordered a black bag strap (and black belt) from Wade taking advantage of his May COW sale. Now to pick up some dye remover and dye this weekend...

Excelsior!
Riothamus

[Zach R.]

Guess that goes to show that if I let enough time pass my idea would be realized.

One of the things I think of though, when the whole thing comes together, is that these colors don't lend themselves as well to being "beat-up" as the earth tones do.

But I think that's the point I was trying to make all those years ago...a dressier and more subdued form of indy-inspired gear.

[riothamus]

My wife and I went out to see the broadway tour of Wicked last night. Since she was using the opportunity to dress up in an outfit she doesn't normally wear, I thought I'd do the same now that my suit fits again! Not exactly a pure "grayscale" Indy, but trying for the style and spirit of perhaps what Dr. Jones might wear?




Excelsior!
Riothamus

[Chewbacca Jones]

Looking good, man.

If I may offer some advice, though; leave the bottom button of the jacket undone. It's not a mistake to close it, but it's more commonly left open. Same goes for most vests, should you ever go that route. I'm even starting to see the bottom button left open on double breasted jackets, too.

[Kredepops]

I thought I'd do the same now that my suit fits again!

Did you lose weight? Awesome!! Looking mighty good!

[riothamus]

Did you lose weight? Awesome!! Looking mighty good!

Yeah, I'm in the process of going from 267 lbs to somewhere under or around 200 lbs. As you see me I'm ~215 lbs. I bought that suit in May 2004 as a graduation present. I wore it to my first major job interviews later that year and over the next few years went up in weight to I think a max of 275 lbs before hovering at 260-267 lbs for a while. I started a MAJOR effort on January 1, 2010 to drop the weight and adjust the amount I eat (not what I eat as that doesn't work for me). I don't think that suit fit me for at least 4 years. I was glad to be able to wear it again! Now pretty soon I'm going to have to get a lot of clothes tailored or replaced!

Thanks for the compliments!
Riothamus

[Chewbacca Jones]

Well, my gray scale Indy is just about as complete as it's going to get. Thanks to the posts of numerous members (in some cases unaware of the contributions they have made) I have tracked down close-enoughs to do the deed. I'm waiting on a shirt to arrive by mail, which I just ordered, that should be a lightish gray. I have the trousers, belts, black shoes, jacket, hat and bag (with a webbing strap long enough to avoid buying a leather replacement). I won't be buying a black holster or whip, unless I find a fake leather costume whip somewhere. My webley holster is very dark, so I'll pretend that it's black.

So, when you see the gear at last, those who had influence will know who they are. I thank you. Photos to come... soon!

[riothamus]

That's great! You should definitely post the pictures here. I've been swamped and haven't had a weekend to try redyeing my repro MKVI. I keep hoping the black USW goat will go on sale.

Excelsior!
Riothamus