Civilian bottom shirts!!

[iraqvet05]

How popular were they? Were they a fashion or a necessity? I'm having trouble finding any documentation on them, so if anyone knows or could point me in the right direction.
Also if I'm using a bottom shirt, where could I find a quality vendor, or pattern to make my own and what type of fabric? Thanks

Ronnie Raymond
Aco. Chesapeake Volunteer Guards

[Matthew Semple]

Re: Civilian bottom shirts!!

Ronnie,

The following websites take you to quality, well researched and documented garments, provided by "authentic" vendors. I have looked at all of these reproductions and they are accurate and constructed like so many of the originals I have examined. (This list of vendors is not all inclusive, but it is a start.)

http://www.morris-clothiers.com/drawers.html

http://www.armoryguards.org/travelingman/

http://www.cornerclothiers.com/shirts.htm

As for popularity for the period we portray, I will let someone field that question.

Very respectfully,
Matt Semple

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Civilian bottom shirts!!

Another approved vendor is Army Drawers who list making bottom shirts. No experience with them personally though. I have one from corner clothiers that I wear with my issue shirt.

I remember reading at least one account of a soldier talking about a bottom shirt. He was wounded during the campaigns in 64 after weeks of marching, fighting and no bathing. He said he remember someone cutting off his bottom shirt from him. He said up till that point he thought he had lost it days ago and was no longer wearing it. He was so dirty that the shirt had almost become part of his skin. I wish I could remember which book that story was in....

[iraqvet05]

Re: Civilian bottom shirts!!

Thanks fellas!!