If you have ever looked at nice authentic gear from a sutler like The Trans-Mississippi Depot or Jersey Skillet Licker, you'll notice that it is really expensive. Although the price of high-quality is steep, it really is worth it sometimes. "What if I can't afford that nice stuff?", you might ask yourself. Well, here is a little guide for those of us (like me) who can't always afford gear from authentic sutlers.
1.) Go for scratch-and-dent items. Every sutler always has dented cup or a faded shirt that everybody always just overlooks. That is the kind of stuff that you want to look for! The more beat up it is, the more authentic it is. Plus, most sutlers will give you a discount on an item like that because of its "defect". Used clothes are also cheaper than new ones and they generally have that worn look that you want.
I got this shirt for half price just because the shoulders were faded.
2.) Learn how to sew. I can't tell you how valuable this piece of advice is. If you have a parent who sews, get them to teach you how. Once you learn the basics, you can do all kinds of things to save yourself money. Buy cheaper uniforms and re-do the topstitching yourself. It can even be cheaper in the long run to make your own garments rather than paying the hefty prices for hand-sewn clothes at sutlers. Just remember that your parents can be a big help on this one. Don't try and pull of an entirely hand-sewn coat the first day that you learn how to sew. Start small and get an adult to help you.
3.) Buy machine-sewn garments when it is appropriate. Reenactors often forget that sewing machines were around at the time of the Civil War. They were mostly only used in larger factories and depots (that puts most of them north of the Mason-Dixon Line) because they were expensive. Don't think that all of your coats MUST be hand sewn. Especially on the Union side, many of the depot garments were sewn on a machine. Plus, machine-sewn stuff is a heck of a lot cheaper for those of us who can't sew. Note: Remember that the machine-stitches of the time were much wider than they are now. Try and get uniforms that don't have that ultramodern tiny stitch in them.
4.) Start with the basics. When you are just getting started with reenacting, you don't need gaiters, overcoats, vests, cravats, winter gloves, pocket watches, and all of that other unnecissary junk that just weighs you down when you go to events. Stick with what you really need and get all of that cool stuff later.
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