'de-militarising' a smock - ideas sought

[MrEd]

Guys and Gals, I have an arktis smock, in black. Its a great jacket.

I have removed the epaulets, rank slider, and velcro patch. I was thinking about replacing the buttons with something different - it currently has slotted type military buttons.

I wonder does anyone have any ideas to customise it a bit, de-militarise it a bit and so on.

i can use a sewing machine etc.

Just looking for ideas, but not a fur ruff!

thanks

Ed

 

[Mollegabet]

I would tend to leave it be in its current state. There would seem to be little to call it 'military' any more. Perhaps if the buttons still give the wrong impression then you could replace them with antler or coconut buttons?

 

[MrEd]

yeah i did wonder about wood, or antler buttons. Will look into them i think

Removing the bits i did made the most difference imo

 

[MrEd]

i also cant decide whether to remove the hood wire or not. its great in the rain/wind as keep the hood shaped nicely but when the hod isnt up its kind of irritates me.....

 

[Laurentius]

Guys and Gals, I have an arktis smock, in black. Its a great jacket.

I have removed the epaulets, rank slider, and velcro patch. I was thinking about replacing the buttons with something different - it currently has slotted type military buttons.

I wonder does anyone have any ideas to customise it a bit, de-militarise it a bit and so on.

i can use a sewing machine etc.

Just looking for ideas, but not a fur ruff!

thanks

Ed

If you are very handy with a sewing machine, maybe you can replace the top pockets with something more colourful?

 

[John Fenna]

Day glo yellow waterproof yoke?

 

[lou1661]

de-militarise it a bit


Ed

Just leave the pockets unbuttoned, makes it look totally non military.

 

[Janne]

Sew on some colourful fabric 'stickers' or patches?

A tip: make your own buttons. wood , cow horn or antler. Also something to attach to the slider for the zip.

 

[MrEd]

cool ideas (most of them lol) thanks

 

[underground]

Maybe a strip of the embroidered tape such as that you see on arctic parkas, around the hem?

 

[richy3333]

How about letting John Fenna pink it up for you!?

 

[Robson Valley]

richy3333: nice play on words. Here, 'pink' can also mean to 'dress up' cars and boats. "Pink My Ride."

MrEd: right now, the coat doesn't look too far off from the Carhartt 'Canyon' coat model. My next buy.
As others suggest, I think changing all the buttons is a plan. Wood could warm it up a little.
There are really tough wood-grain plastic buttons that don't look half bad.

In museums, I have seen centuries-old buttons which appear to be polished slices of very under-ripe hickory nuts
or walnuts. Trying to recall = 15 - 20mm diameters????? Really interesting patterns in them.

 

[Robbi]

Think you'll find it's " PIMP" my ride

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimp_My_Ride

 

[Robson Valley]

Wiki needs updating with synonyms. The best I can do is buy new snow tires.

 

[Janne]

Wiki needs updating with synonyms. The best I can do is buy new snow tires.

Ah, you are Winter Pimping your ride!

 

[Janne]

Maybe a strip of the embroidered tape such as that you see on arctic parkas, around the hem?

Even better, undress a roadkill fox ( hare, rabbit, cat or dog) and use it for the collar!

 

[Robbi]

see the last sentence in the OP.

 

[Janne]

I thought fur ruff was something Vegan artificial.

 

[Ooops]

I would tend to leave it be in its current state. There would seem to be little to call it 'military' any more.

+1 not being camo it looks like any number of offerings out there

 

[Alan 13~7]

I thought fur ruff was something Vegan artificial.

Maybe your thinking of "faux" ruff? Faux being the French word for false.