61 replies to this topic

[BlueFly17]

I've been playing with the idea of making something to wear to the September Launch event in San Francisco. I've decided to go with a uniform from either the 3rd or Heavy Davion Guard. Obviously, I've taken a bit of creative license with this design, as very little is out there on specific uniforms, and even what I could find didn't look great (ie. I'm not wearing shorts!). I've tried to base most of the design details on elements I've seen in canon examples, but as you can see, I departed from it in several ways. Most obvious are pants vs shorts, and jacket vs vest. I'm still in the design phase, so suggestions are welcome!

[Bishop Steiner]

shorts and vest are for IN cockpit. A jumper of some sort is normal out of cockpit, off duty, on base, etc.

[Nathan Foxbane]

Epaulets for rank insignia? Pretty standard on many military uniforms for over a century to current and I do not really see them going out of style any time soon, if ever. They will likely still be around in the 31st century.

[WILL WORK FOR JUMPJETS]

I'd buy/wear that.

[Bishop Steiner]

Nathan Foxbane, on 21 August 2013 - 10:21 AM, said:

Epaulets for rank insignia? Pretty standard on many military uniforms for over a century to current and I do not really see them going out of style any time soon, if ever. They will likely still be around in the 31st century.

being an jumper by the looks of it, vs a "dress" or "undress" uni, I would think rank pips on the collar would suit more. Epaulets would look oddly out of place on what looks like a running suit.

[Nathan Foxbane]

Bishop Steiner, on 21 August 2013 - 10:33 AM, said:

being an jumper by the looks of it, vs a "dress" or "undress" uni, I would think rank pips on the collar would suit more. Epaulets would look oddly out of place on what looks like a running suit.

True enough. If it's going to be pulled on over a cooling vest and a pair of shorts then it's fine as is. Anything more and it starts to enter more formal territory instead of field wear... I think I need to dig that old ruck out from under my bed to see if the DCU therein has epaulets. I don't think it does. Then again I'd want to wear something less conspicuous color wise outside a 'Mech in the field. In garrison, on New Avalon I doubt it would matter much. Only ComStar is that bold and even they got their heads handed to them.

On review I retract my suggestion. The more I look at the jacket the more I think of US WWII bomber jackets... now I am kinda wondering what style cover (hat) they are going to wear with it.

[Bishop Steiner]

Nathan Foxbane, on 21 August 2013 - 10:48 AM, said:

True enough. If it's going to be pulled on over a cooling vest and a pair of shorts then it's fine as is. Anything more and it starts to enter more formal territory instead of field wear... I think I need to dig that old ruck out from under my bed to see if the DCU therein has epaulets. I don't think it does. Then again I'd want to wear something less conspicuous color wise outside a 'Mech in the field. In garrison, on New Avalon I doubt it would matter much. Only ComStar is that bold and even they got their heads handed to them.

On review I retract my suggestion. The more I look at the jacket the more I think of US WWII bomber jackets... now I am kinda wondering what style cover (hat) they are going to wear with it.

baseball cap. Davion aerojocks wore them anyhow, as the first ed artwork showed. Would fit this outfit well.

[ValdnadHartagga]

MechWarrior fashion for the 3050s consisted of a jumpsuit unzipped to the navel (Blood Legacy, among other sources). I'd like to see your design as a jumpsuit!

Also, Davion MechWarriors wear spurs, usually with the dress uniform but it's a tradition so I could imagine warriors wearing them in the field.


See also the Uniforms section of the AFFS page on Sarna: http://www.sarna.net...d_Suns_Uniforms

Lots of red accents, not to mention the red rank insignia for MechWarriors.


If it were up to me, I would suggest an olive drab jumpsuit (it just feels more Davion) with your white and red details, throw in a blue stripe or two.

Edited by ValdnadHartagga, 21 August 2013 - 07:43 PM.

[BlueFly17]

I originally leaned towards an olive drab, but in the end decided to go with blue to try and differentiate it from the infantry look it might have had. I still agree OD probably would have looked more "real", if that makes any sense. Also, I had already bought the materials to make it in blue, white and red, so I was a bit committed, color-wise. I have the boots, but have yet to find a pair of spurs. I expect I should be able to get a hold of some, I live in a largely rural area.
I've been working on the pants, and wanted to post an update:

Here's everything pinned up...



Here's a close up of the seams after assembly...




And here are the pants completed...


The jacket is next, and that'll probably take quite a bit longer, due to both the greater complexity and the embroidery.

[That Guy]

NICE! so this is like the regimental PT gear or something?

also those redbars on the shoulders are rank. a cadet or low lieutenant

[Khanahar]

This is incredibly awesome.

Lore question: The insignia are of a Leftenant, as I understand. So a typical lance of MechWarriors in this kit would include one guy with this setup and 3 with triple-red scars (Sergeant)? Now, granted that this is an informal uniform, but would a formal version of the officer one use Steiner pips at this time in history? Having a hard time coming up with the real information, and I'm a generation too late to already own all the sourcebooks. :-/

[Heffay]

Bishop Steiner, on 21 August 2013 - 02:13 AM, said:

shorts and vest are for IN cockpit. A jumper of some sort is normal out of cockpit, off duty, on base, etc.

I've always had problems with that part of battletech lore. The coolest outfit isn't the one with the least coverage. Not to mention having some protection against heat/fire/explosions is fairly essential.

I guess it's a convenient plot device if you want to sex up some female pilot to try to justify a skimpy outfit...

[BlueFly17]

Khanahar, on 26 August 2013 - 02:06 PM, said:

This is incredibly awesome.

Lore question: The insignia are of a Leftenant, as I understand. So a typical lance of MechWarriors in this kit would include one guy with this setup and 3 with triple-red scars (Sergeant)? Now, granted that this is an informal uniform, but would a formal version of the officer one use Steiner pips at this time in history?

I believe you area correct, Lt would head the lance, the rest would probably be Sgts. The epaulets I made are for a Lt. As far as the pips go, I honestly don't know. As far as a guess goes, I would lean towards no at least on the Davion Guard units. I may be completely wrong though. And yes, it can be pretty difficult to find any of those really small details.

If you're interested, here's the eppies and shoulder stripes finished:

[ValdnadHartagga]

Khanahar, on 26 August 2013 - 02:06 PM, said:

Now, granted that this is an informal uniform, but would a formal version of the officer one use Steiner pips at this time in history? Having a hard time coming up with the real information, and I'm a generation too late to already own all the sourcebooks. :-/

So you're asking if the Davion Guard would be wearing Steiner livery?

[DevilCrayon]

Wow! That looks great so far!

[SideSt3p]

Looks good

[Khanahar]

ValdnadHartagga, on 27 August 2013 - 09:08 AM, said:

So you're asking if the Davion Guard would be wearing Steiner livery?

Well, not technically canon, but...



The 1st Davion Guard MechCommanders in that are wearing Steiner pips on the collar.  Indeed, the logo for the game is the Steiner pips for a major.  But I can still imagine that, particularly in less formal situations, the traditional Davion style might be preferred.

Edited by Khanahar, 29 August 2013 - 11:32 AM.

[BlueFly17]

Another update on my progress.

The sleeves:








Finished...



On to the embroidery

Back Panel:


Front Panel (Thanks to Hayden, who kindly let me use his interpretation of the Third Guard Logo!):


Side by side for size:


I went simple with the shirt, but may revisit it in the future (maybe fill in the letters):

Edited by BlueFly17, 19 September 2013 - 10:01 PM.

[Heffay]

Are you going to the Launch party? It would be incredible to show up to that with the uniform!

That sewing machine... is it fully automated, so you just input an image and it can recreate it? Or was that all hand done?

Edited by Heffay, 20 September 2013 - 06:29 AM.

[BlueFly17]

Heffay, on 20 September 2013 - 06:28 AM, said:

Are you going to the Launch party? It would be incredible to show up to that with the uniform!

Yep, the launch party was what prompted me to give making a costume a try. I think it'll be fun to show up in it, but I imagine I may draw some weird looks on the train :-P

Heffay, on 20 September 2013 - 06:28 AM, said:

That sewing machine... is it fully automated, so you just input an image and it can recreate it? Or was that all hand done?

It's sort of automated, to a point. It's a Brother Pe770. Basically, if I want to stitch out an original image (and not just buy a design from someone online), I first draw a clean version of it in photoshop. This makes the next step easier, and allows me to narrow down the colors. Then I import that image into an embroidery design program (usually referred to as a digitizer) and digitize each color in the order I want it to stitch out. This is the hardest step because you really have to think ahead about connecting areas of same colors, overlap, and jumping over already stitched areas, etc. You're really just telling the machine where to put each and every stitch. I'm still pretty new at it, and the software is really oddly designed (at least for someone used to photoshop), but it's fun learning.