Items I am looking for (and don't know wear to look)

[Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz]

     It has occured to me that my ordinary hiking boots are much too modern looking to go with any steampunk outfit. I am lookiing for something a little more retro. There are two problems...

1. I should probably get combat boots of some sort (as they would most likely go with cargo pants and one could wear gaiters with them). I know nothing about combat boots, or any kind of boots for that matter. There seems to be a very large variety.

2. Footwear in general is expensive, much of it is more than I am willing to spend (especially because I am young enough that it is still possible that I may grow a few inches).

     The costume is an adventurer/ explorer type but I want to be able to reuse the boots for other stuff (especially considering the price they seem to be).

     Other items I am looking for:

•   A map case or messenger bag (this will go with pretty much any costume I have in mind).
•   Some kind of Middle Eastern knife (like a jambiya or possibly a Khyber knife)
•   Knickerbockers (for a different costume I am putting together).
•   Cloth that could be used to wrap a turban or something (I am thinking of wearing that instead of a pith helmet or maybe just wearing it around my neck).



     Special Air Service during WWII.



     T.E. Lawrence

[Mrs. Whatsit]

Kapitan Fritz, do you have an army/navy surplus store in the region?  You are likely to find combat boots there for much less than new.  They will probably have the type of bag you are looking for as well.  The local one in San Diego is just FULL of gear as soldiers come back from duty.

[Aleister Crow]

Combat boots: Try a search for "Jungle Boots". They'd be a bit modern in style, but they tend to be cheap.

Messenger bag: http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Brown-Canvas-Medic-Bag/dp/B004I640EE/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1338514253&sr=8-21
Dirt cheap. I have one; it still hasn't fallen apart after a year, in spite of constantly overloading it.

Cloth: Maybe a keffiyeh? http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_0_5?url=search-alias%3Dapparel&field-keywords=keffiyeh&sprefix=kaffi%2Capparel%2C250

I know a few sources for knives, but they generally tend to be very expensive. The only cheap site I can think of offhand would be BudK.com - keep in mind, when I say they have cheap knives, I mean they're junk, and priced accordingly. If you're under 18, you'll need an adult to order for you; that's the law, and goes for any site selling weapons.

[Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz]

     I'm 19. The map case/ messenger bag doesn't have to be as inexpensive as the other stuff because I will use it more often (possibly even on a day-to-day basis, as my school backpack is starting to fall apart and I will need to get something to replace it for college, but I am afraid of getting girly handbag comments).

[Otto Von Pifka]

if your shoe size runs fairly standard and you know what it is, you could go with surplus boots from sportsmansguide.com . they're pretty much cleaned out right now but if you keep an eye on their websight, you may get a jump on something retro for dirt cheap.
I bought two pairs of boots from them, the austrian midcalf boots they still list (size 7 only left) and another set of low calf surplus for even cheaper. both pairs were used but have tons of life left in them and somebody else wen't through the pain and torture of breaking them in.

I would kill for a pair of the paratrooper boots in my size, they went fast. they probably wouldn't have fit my huge ankles anyways. I always have to buy longer shoelaces for anything like combat boots, since they will have to wrap around my hamhocks.

[jringling]

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/all-military-surplus.aspx?c=199

and

http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/9

[Capt. Dirigible]

Maybe a keffiyeh?

Are they the same as a Shemagh? There are a variety of ways you can wrap these and there are numerous  vids on YouTube to show how.

[Aleister Crow]

Maybe a keffiyeh?

Are they the same as a Shemagh? There are a variety of ways you can wrap these and there are numerous  vids on YouTube to show how.

I think so. Most of Amazon's listings have both words in the title. One warning about wearing one these days- they've become "trendy".

[Capt. Dirigible]

Maybe a keffiyeh?

Are they the same as a Shemagh? There are a variety of ways you can wrap these and there are numerous  vids on YouTube to show how.

I think so. Most of Amazon's listings have both words in the title. One warning about wearing one these days- they've become "trendy".

Also popular with  anti social 'yoots' keen to hide their identity whilst rioting

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

On the plus side..bloody warm when wrapped round your neck in winter and look really cool when wrapped round your head in an arab styl-ee.

[/spoiler]

[Lady Evelyn Grey]

I'm 19. The map case/ messenger bag doesn't have to be as inexpensive as the other stuff because I will use it more often (possibly even on a day-to-day basis, as my school backpack is starting to fall apart and I will need to get something to replace it for college, but I am afraid of getting girly handbag comments).

What is your price range for a new messenger bag? Because I know a few sites that have lovely, leather ones, but they tend to be on the more expensive side. The nice thing about leather though is that it ages beautifully, looks masculine and steampunk, and lasts forever (I'm still using my mum's leather satchel from her college days). But even if you go with the bag that Mr. Crow recommended, don't worry about girly handbag comments. Especially if you wear it across the chest and not over the shoulder.

[Narsil]

As others have said the best bet for most of that stuff would be military surplus. If you're not after specific rare things this is usually inexpensive and good quality.

There are a whole range of ex-military canvas bags around, which even if they aren't exactly what you have in mind are often easy enough to modify by adding new straps etc. Some of the styls are popular enough that there are lots of modern reproductions around, albeit sometime not of quite the same quality, the branded ones tend to have a massive mark up but you can still get generic ones cheap on places like amazon, ebay and local markets etc.

The current  generation of military boots tend to have quite a distinctively modern styling but older patterns tend to be pretty timeless. Another option would be work/safety boots which are often available quite cheaply in traditional styles.

For the headgear I would suggest just finding an off-cut/remnant of suitable fabric (a fairly loose weave cotton would be ideal) and using that, markets often have a couple of stalls selling assorted fabrics at a good prices. While the chequered Shemaghs are easy to find they are perhaps a bit too ubiquitous now although they would be fine as a stop-gap.

[Madasasteamfish]

Best bet for the map case would (as other people have said for most of the stuff you're after) is a military surplus shop, or failing that ebay. I do have a military belt hung leather map case that I got at weekend at the asylum a couple of years ago, and you probably could find one online fairly cheaply (under £20).

Just search for 'map case' on ebay under 'Militaria'  and you'll find a decent selection to give you ideas.

[inigo jameson-gatling]

http://onlinemilitaria.com is good, they may have something. I have some M1904 saddlebags from this store. The look cheaper than most other sites and did a good service in my case, with price and delivery.

[Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz]

     I am still looking for tweed knickerbockers/ breeks. I have no idea where to begin. I would appreciate some suggestions if possible. I don't know anyone with the necessary sewing skills to convert full-length pants, so unfortunately that is not an option. Gentleman's Emporium has knickerbockers, but they are mostly polyester.

[Capt. Dirigible]

     I am still looking for tweed knickerbockers/ breeks. I have no idea where to begin. I would appreciate some suggestions if possible. I don't know anyone with the necessary sewing skills to convert full-length pants, so unfortunately that is not an option. Gentleman's Emporium has knickerbockers, but they are mostly polyester.

Real tweed doesn't come cheap and it's very much a British 'huntin'/shootin'/fishin' thing. I doubt charity shops in the US would have much in the way of tweed  plus fours/knickerbockers. However here's some on ebay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390451582110?hlp=false

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/221098315246?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/221075146935?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=tweed+plus+fours

[Otto Von Pifka]

does anyone you know have a sewing machine you could borrow? modifying clothes is much easier than making from scratch and you could load up on some pants from the thrift store to convert and practice on. look for sewing lessons at the local fabric shops, some stores have seminars of sorts, to drum up potential cutomers. otherwise look for people adverting tailoring/alterations, either advertising on bulletin boards at craft shops or online locally. you can probably get some thrift store pants modded for about what you would pay for a good pair of pants.

[akumabito]

•   A map case or messenger bag (this will go with pretty much any costume I have in mind).

I use the Indiana Jones bag from Todd's Costumes. I was looking for just that bag, read a few reviews about this bag and the version offered by Magnoli Clothiers, and I looked t the prices of some WWII originals - the latter were almost twice as expensive almost anywhere I could find them. I went with Todd's version, because he's a great guy, with excellent service and super-quick delivery. Don't forget you need to order the leather strap seperately. I am pretty sure this bag is indestructible. It's made of thick canvas, with pretty sturdy stitching.. I love it..

[Prof Thadeus Q. Wychlock]

Plenty of map cases on fleabay.

try this one

[Mrs. Whatsit]

    I am still looking for tweed knickerbockers/ breeks. I have no idea where to begin. I would appreciate some suggestions if possible. I don't know anyone with the necessary sewing skills to convert full-length pants, so unfortunately that is not an option. Gentleman's Emporium has knickerbockers, but they are mostly polyester.

Have you tried searching for Golf Knickers online?  I've found some on ebay
These might get you through until you've saved enough for a good pair.

[PatronZero]

I've a good source for any costuming need is to visit your local charity-thrift shops as one never finds the same thing there twice and unique items often turn up in such than in other retail venues.

Good hunting !

[Capt. Dirigible]

www.savvyrow.co.uk has a selection of quality, real tweed breeks in various sizes (all second hand but in good condition). Not sure how much you want to spend (but as I said before real tweed ain't cheap) or if they ship to the US.

[akumabito]

I really like the gloves that first chap is wearing. Anyone know where I can find a pair just like those (on a budget)?

[Anastacia]

Perhaps do a search for welding gloves? Out of curiosity, I checked the website of a popular home improvement chain here in the US, and the only ones I saw with a wide cuff like that were welder's gloves.

[W. S. Marble]

Two other low cost options would be either gardening gloves, or sew a same-color (or dye both), coarse material (i.e. canvas) cuff to a smaller pair of cheap gloves.

[Otto Von Pifka]

you could search "sutlers" for civil war era equipment and look for gauntlet gloves. I bought a pair on sale for $25 but they're on the tight side and of very thin leather, very supple.