The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

And we don't know whether it will be cold or hot or if we will be forced to migrate.

Therefore time is running out on getting good, durable clothing for all temperature ranges for your family.

For example, my wife literally 'catches cold'. I can chop and split wood as a blizzard rolls in, with ice forming on my face and be glad the weather keeps me from overheating in a vest and shirtsleeves. But even the 50s and she is sniffles prone. So I just ordered her a wonderful microfiber and goretex fleece lined parka intended for Canada, a nice water resistant woolen cap (from Ireland) that met her fashion standards for slightly less cold weather than the parka with hood, and thinsulate lined kangaroo gloves that are so flexible she sorted the mail in them as a test. And a second pair of deerskin slippers with shearling lining for cooking or lounging around the house (when jobs go away) in her many sweat suits.

About 30 to 60 bucks per superbly made item now. Such things will be beyond our means all too soon.

Original duofold 2 piece long johns are warm but gentle on even sensitive skin and last a very long time. Cotton next to the skin and then a wool layer, yet thinner than those itchy waffle weaves. You can still get them. They make many claims about plastic long johns, but only cotton really keeps jock itch and its female equivalent away.

I have extra jeans, tees and oxford cloth long sleeve shirts plus some flannel and the midlayer very warm plastic fleece for layering. We both have lots of good walking and hiking shoes, I have a parka if it ever gets that cold from a volcano or something, and we both have -20 rated sleeping bags. I may get a pair of those kangaroo gloves (cabelas) for me. Sun blocking aerial dust is not an entirely remote possibility. Then I will do the outdoor chores.

Consider what your family needs for any weather if there are no utilities right now, is my advice. Shipping is already grinding slowly to a halt. Water first, then food. But you need medicine and cold and hot weather clothing and non electric hand tools. Dressing for success has a small place, but dressing for survival a large one.

Some things, like t shirts, you can go for el cheapo. But you need good quality, whatever the price (though it is still dirt cheap for the quality) in shoes, gloves, and cold weather gear. The cheap gloves you have to take off to do anything. The cheap shoes won't hold up. And you may not get to buy any good ones the rest of your life, so they need to wear well. Flip flops are fine for hot weather, but to hike to a bug out you need a boot or hiking shoe that is light, strong, and can handle both water and terrain. Cabela's is my favorite source. For cheaper stuff I hunt around. Only levis and wranglers make my jeans cut. Too much cr@p that falls apart is marketed by designer labels.

Ships are sitting empty because letters of credit are frozen. Forget silly Christmas gifts and get some really useful things.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Dickies makes jeans that last--I've got a pair I've been wearing for a year without tears or rips or anything. Far better than Levi's or Wrangler.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I just picked up a dozen of these hoodies for $11 bucks a pop. tough to beat that!
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Pro...&cdf=TopSeller

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Thanks for the tips. Levis tend to last 5 to 10 years for me. Depends on what I do in them. It is the thread holding some brand x's together that fails first for me, or the fabric if they tried to make them look 'broken in' by grinding them part way up. As in 'stonewash' etc.

Here are those incredibly flexible warm gloves.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Great idea and reminder to stock up while stuff is still available!

Suggest you check out Duluth Trading Co., they specialize in men's outdoor, work clothing and gadgets to make work easer.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

speaking of thread. not a pro here but a good treadle sewing machine [i have a converted to electric that will convert back] .

also threads[ i have a bulk of nylon-very very strong ] & of course needles for machine & hand sewing.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

watch for after xmas sales at stores like kohl's. we got high quality socks & longjohns for next to nothin 2 yrs. ago. so many socks the check out lady made a comment; then said thanks i won't have to restock em. [got shoes too]

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Excellent idea. All the treadle machines I located were 'antique' priced. But that is a great idea. Ditto stocking thread and needles.

I have a top of the line electric machine, but I will have to have some power for it to be any use. My wife does not sew, nor do I, but if we need to I wanted to have an excellent machine. I got that a long time back. Now I may just hunt harder for a treadle that isn't through the roof as an antique.

I think old mule drawn, or ancient non PTO farm tools are still cheap in some rural areas. I will merely be gardening with cultivation and weeding via poultry. But those with acreage may end up using oxen and the associated plows and cultivators and hay cutters. I really like cattle, but don't currently have the land. Horses are too high strung for me.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Great idea! I hope people keep posting tips because I sure see it coming because of 40% of shipping already in letter of credit lockdown. Tarriffs are not even needed. Trade is being shut down by the banks.

Long term that means jobs coming home. Short term, I don't want anyone freezing because they don't have what they need when the power is off or no heating oil is available, or they are in a tent city, which way too many will. And it may be much colder than normal.

We are so accustomed to anything we might possibly need being on the shelves, and considering how much we import, it has to change what is there to buy even if you have the money.

A cheap addition to make any sleeping bag much warmer it to tape or sew 2 space blankets into a sleeping bag envelope. And don't forget your head where a lot of heat escapes. Have cheap stocking caps and / or ski masks for not freezing in your sleep in your house, trekking, or in a tent city.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

+1

the only clothing i buy brand new nowadays are socks and underwear
everything else i wear is second hand, not too worried about fashion, i dress to be comfortable and warm
4-5 weeks ago, stopped by a yard sale and picked up a practically new winter-lined one piece coveralls for $20 ( brand new - $100 )

never been one to buy big bulky winter coats
i'd rather go with the " layers " line of thought for winter warmth
whenever i see a XXL or XXXL sweatshirt or hoodie, it's mine

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

It's very hard to imagine the US having a clothing crisis. American closets are chuck full of clothing. There is probably enough clothing already purchased within the US right now to comfortably cloth every American for at least 5 years.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

not socks, undies. lots in those closets are for looks.

but u make a good point.




from oildrum.com drumbeat

GreyZone on October 31, 2008 - 11:08am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=a7AhRhE4NJlM
The Shipping News Suggests World Economy Is Toast

In the third quarter of 2007, Volvo AB booked 41,970 European orders for new trucks. Guess how many prospective purchases Volvo, the world's second-biggest maker of heavy rigs, received in the third quarter of this year?

Here's a clue. Picture a highway gridlocked by 41,815 abandoned trucks -- because Volvo's order book got destroyed to the tune of 99.63 percent, with customers signing up for just 155 vehicles in the three-month period, the Gothenburg, Sweden-based company said last week.

The pathogen that has fatally infected swathes of the banking industry is now contaminating non-financial companies. ``We're heading toward the sharpest downturn I've ever seen in Europe,'' said Chief Executive Officer Leif Johansson.

Additionally, if any of you are following the Baltic Dry Goods Shipping index, then you know that for about 2 months now international maritime shipments of dry goods cargoes have essentially ceased. Foodstuffs are languishing at ports, awaiting shipment overseas but cannot move because the entire letters of credit system appears to have collapsed. China's entire manufacturing sector, from the coast to over 1000 miles inland, is shutting down.

Remember, this wonderful JIT economy has 5-7 days of food and other essential consumables on the store shelves. Have fun getting yours when 99% of the rest of the population has the same idea.

to amforpm's point!

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Exactly. Getting it at yard sales is by far the best resource allocation, but at this time the point is -- anything you have not already gotten that you or anyone who depends on you could die without, just get it right now.

The system is shutting down. I think it will be partial and temporary, but you can be gone before it gets straightened out.

I mention warm clothing because we don't have winter where I live. Some years there is not even ONE hard freeze. So people don't have much warm clothing. I know people who wear sandals year round and don't own any socks. In what passes for winter here they are never outside long and their homes are warm, so they are fine.

But if temporary is 6 months and foreclosure or social unrest made you migrate, you could die of lack of warm clothes in one cold night, or slowly from a cold that became pneumonia.

We've discussed having food and water, so I figure everyone here is aware about that. But maybe not so much on making it through a week under an underpass in January.

And all Americans are accustomed to utilities working. They might not for a time, in some areas.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I've been stock up on Costco Blue Jeans for $10.

Also, entire fanily has been living in sweats and fleece for the past 2 years...we now only average 65 inside temp in the day and 60 overnight....will be no problem for us to drop back to 60 days and 50's at night...if we have to....we feel like we are going to die when we visit friend homes at 70+ degrees....

When I see something i like that is a good deal in clothing ....I buy 5X and hoard the rest.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I have bought new, brand name clothing for 10% of the retail price at Salvation Army. I know some people are too good to shop there, but I find it amazing what people give away to charity.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

You might also want to account for the possibility of a shrinking waistline if TSHTF, you will lose weight even if you have stocked up.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I got the kids and I sleeping bags last year that go down to -5 F. Didn't cost all that much. New leather boots were on sale at Farm & Fleet. Been buying denim jeans when they go on sale and stocking up for quite some time now.

Excellent line!!

sb

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

:111:

Because she was fool enough to marry me.

(and treat me nice whether I deserved it or not)

But seriously, hers are 3 years old and worn some part of almost every day. Her feet get cold from air conditioning too. They will last forever, but the shearling eventually packs down some and this gives her a warm pair and a super warm pair.

I prefer her feet not feeling like dry ice when we go to bed too. I do not understand how a human foot can be that cold to the touch and not have frostbite. Her feet get a LOT colder than air temperature!! (without slippers)

Here they are, but this is the men's model

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1

enjoy! Made in China, however, weird though that is, so the shipping thing applies. How long they will be in stock is unknown. 60% of shipping is still rolling. I bet the deer is from one country, the shearling another, and China assembles it. And as that Chinese fabricator claimed, they can make whatever quality the customer requests, but high quality costs more. I assumed they were US made till I decided on this 2nd pair and I looked inside her first pair to be sure about size.

I'm lusting after these,

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0048104823934a

but we don't get snow and I'm don't have cold feet, so one pair of good hiking boots is all I need, and I have them, lovingly called 'tractor feet'.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

WHEW!!! I am relieved to note that this thread isn't a notice that Goodwill has jacked up their prices. If you think the Icelanders are peeved........

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I have a pair of Levi 501's that I have worn 6 days a week for 5 or 6 years now, and they are holding up fine.
Shoes, on the other hand - Doc Martens have a good rep, but they are useless. I've had 2 pairs, and the stitching rots out in no time. Less than a year, and I only own one pair of shoes. Timberland, on the other hand - My current pair are 3 years old, getting a bit scruffy, but nothing I can't fix with some wet'n dry, dye, and polish. 3 years of every day wear, from morning till bedtime.
I wish I had access in the UK to the Redwing boots I've heard a lot about - they seem to be pretty bulletproof.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Oh, and if your boots or shoes ever get a bit stinky - put them in the freezer overnight. Kills all the skanky bacteria, and also wakes you up in the morning when you are wandering round the house thinking "Where the F**K are my boots!"

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I'm sold on wickers mid-weight themal underwear .... i've used it for hunting and skiing .... i wear it everyday in the wintertime to work (turtleneck top under a sweater)

available at www.sierratradingpost.com

I do have a pair of expedition weight thermals i bought at a hunting store and they are fleece lined ... i sweat in them!

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

edit, How humiliating, James, I typed John speaking to you.
:signs14:

and your de-stinking lore is cool too, especially since many more people may soon start wearing shoes and boots all the way out.

So, James, I agree about 501's. In college before I found salvation army and got a big wardrobe, I had my old 501s with serious holes that I wore when I washed my new iron 501s, and that was it. By year 2 the iron was getting comfy. They were my only pants and my shoes were 1 pair of Justin ropers I walked a hole in the (I thought) indestructible sole of. They had some fancy long wearing sole, but I walked a lot of miles per day. Those were some tough boots.

Neither Salvation Army nor Goodwill has a good outlet here and I miss them. Great clothes for 30 to 80 cents or so per item. Anyone near a good outlet should look there first.

But anything you don't have that could become a survival or keeping fingers or toes issue... I don't think it is worth risking how much time you may have on important items with what is going on with shipping.

The thing is, you win either way. If your area and items not yet bought are stuck rotting on some dock, then you win because you bought it soon. If inflation or income loss hits you, then you win by buying now that way. And for sure you sleep better knowing your family will be warm, dry, and have food and water.

Those tractor feet with shearling are drool worthy, aren't they? If I lived in snow country I'd have them.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

not clothing, but a good accessory to have for us in colder areas of the US that some might think of. Keep two in my car, one in my backpack, and a few others at home for that just in case scenario. I believe the packaging says they are good for roughly 4 years(Exp, 2011). They work great and are relatively cheap. Cant go wrong with a small source of portable heat
http://www.horsetackinternational.co...rmer_hand1.jpg

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Don't forget a hoodie sweatshirt. Now that we live in a police state and have cameras everywhere...ya never know when they'll come in handy.
A good pair of Redwing boots are a must too!

http://www.nexternal.com/armynavy/im...weatshirt1.gif

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

During normal times the local homeless shelter offers all kinds of clothing including warm winter coats but never ever socks or skivvies. During winter the homeless guys use pajamas as thermals. Americans have closets and closets full of unused clothing they donate.

Stockpile socks and skivvies first.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Some of my thoughts on this issue.

1) If you live in a rural area, check out garage and yard sales. Lots of good clothing changes hands here for mere pittances. Especially good for finding clothes for kids.

2) For good quality outerwear, buy old American designs built in the USA. I prefer Filson and have more than a few coats, chaps, and bib overalls. Expensive stuff but it lasts forever. I bought some of the coats used from an engineer from Marlin who listed his stuff on a hunting board. It was cool to talk with the guy who was responsible for building my .35 Remington Guide Gun. I had the coats dry cleaned before I ever wore them. I did not think there was an issue, but it never hurts to be sure.

3) Never skimp on shoes and boots. Good shoes and boots wear better and are easier on your feet. I only buy made in the USA shoes and boots, but I usually buy a new pair every few years or so. I pay more for each pair but pay much less over time. Last year I bought two pair of boots, one a Danner and one a West Coast Custom Shoe (Wesco), as I knew the downturn was on its way. I take care of what I have, and I get them resoled by a local cobbler when they need the work. Some of my boots have been resoled and re-heeled a dozen times. Luckily for me, my wife and daughter share my shoe size, so we have lots of spare footwear.

4) I prefer natural materials over engineered materials. I do better with wool than I do with microfiber polyester. I prefer leather over nylon. I prefer cotton over Under Armour. Natural materials seem to wear better and are more comfortable over extremes. I actually wore the same wool coat all year, from fall through summer, with no issues.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

I have the same experience with natural materials. It seems to adapt to a much wider temperature range and be extremely better as to body moisture. That may vary with how sweat prone the wearer is.

The one thing I like about that fleece from a refinery is that as a removable mid layer it is hot as hades, which is sometimes a plus, when the weather is very cold and you are out in it and still. If oil exporters just stop sending it to the broke US, leading to gasoline shortages and rationing, and the wife has to stand at a bus stop on a chilly day, I want her in bake oven hot clothing.

It is impossible for me to tell how things will play out. Maybes include gas rationing, empty stores, martial law, bank holiday... or things could just keep getting incrementally worse with no single day of shock: spot shortages, rising cost of necessities with falling asset prices, state and local tax hikes, more homeless... But clearly what has already happened means things are coming apart. It is the track of the fall that is unclear.

It makes sense about socks and skivvies... people would feel odd both donating and buying those 2nd hand.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

That is true until it gets wet. Then it just seems to suck the heat out of people. So I agree for use a mid layer if there is a water-resistant outer layer.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

i too mostly like natural fibers . in fact i get 2nd hand silk shirts & use them as undershirt when sweating yet cold out & hot/cold frequently. smells less too.

the one big exception is sleeping bags & bedding. if i ever had to migrate, even vehicle; the polyester sleeping bags & fleece covers would be first to load in that category. they will work damp, even wet[maybe not quite as good as wool, but much lighter], + fleece wears very slowly too.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

The 2008 Farmer's Almanac has predicted that this will be the coldest winter we've had in decades......how appropriate

And just so I am contributing in this thread, I second that Kangaroo gloves are the most comfortable and easy to do things in gloves I have ever owned.

Rayon is a great fabric for blankets, it's very light and VERY warm.

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Where have you purchased from?

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Links above for shoes and gloves. My parka was cabelas (goretex outer matters in wet conditions) and the wife's sold out ($50 was quite a bargain. The markdown had been marked down because of the season thing retailers do).

Socks and jeans and tees and such I get assorted places, and don't know good current deals. But some good hoodie buys are posted above. They are nice casual wear plus fit in for layering.

Plus, as Ferfal says, if you have to go out in bad times, you want to blend in as a bit scruffy.

Of the parkas still in stock I like this one (dry plus, multi parts)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...012&id=0041306

and this one, gore tex, thinsulate, that is so close to sold out they say call to make sure they have your size (go bigger for layering)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...012&hasJS=true

Re: The Inexpensive Clothing We are Used To May Be Over Soon
 

Every American who keeps having climate control and is not running from some disaster or foreclosed. Almost no Americans, pretty much hunters and skiiers only, have clothing for real winter emergencies. Or at least in the south. Buffalo natives may have clothes for weeks out in 33 degree rain or minus 20 snow. But do they have it for the whole family?