What exactly do you happen to have?Those uniforms we only wear at the academy and never again after i.e. long peacoat, short peacoat, raincoat and also extra passdown uniforms. Where can these be traded in for money? They are worth something.
In addition to high school drama clubs, consider community theater groups as well as college drama departments.Our oldest son contacted his HS drama club and they were ecstatic to get a load of free (real) uniforms to add to their drama department wardrobe. I know this doesn’t result in any money for you, but it’s a suggestion on where to dispose of uniforms that have no other use.
Stealth_81
Great tips. Will advise DS. Great repurposing.If you’re talking about the USNA:
- Navy officer reefer (pea coat is the name used for enlisted version), the short heavy wool one with double-breasted lapels and brass buttons? I still have mine and wear it regularly in season as the warmest parka-length (covers butt) coat I own, perfect for dog-walking in icy cold wind or winter errands. I removed the gold officer buttons, purchased appropriately sized plain black buttons, and took it to the tailor at the dry cleaners and had them sew them on. It takes a serious needle and strong thread to do that on a thick coat, or I would have done it myself. They also removed the shoulder board tabs. Presto, military uniform turned into a legit civilian coat that has, yes, lasted me from 1977 to the present. I get compliments every time I wear it, because it just oozes authenticity.
- Officer Bridge Coat, the heavy long wool coat, double-breasted, gold officer buttons. I did the same button and shoulder board tab alterations as above, but donated it through the coat drive for the homeless my dry cleaner conveniently runs. I already had a civilian dress long wool coat. I wore my bridge coat during my USNA and Pentagon tours, and whenever I was in SDBs and needed a warm coat. I cvilianized it after I retired, and I like to think it is still keeping someone warm.
- Raincoat. Civilianize it, use it, donate it.
Military uniforms, if identifying military elements are removed, can be worn as civilian attire.
I admit to keeping 1 gold officer button on the reefer. It’s the one out of sight, way up under the collar where the very top flap of the lapel would button if I ever wore the reefer fully buttoned up and the collar up around my neck in classic Navy style.
Here’s a visual of the enlisted Navy pea coat, which has dark buttons. This is the Lone Sailor statue.
View attachment 12921
Had to laugh at this one.... my full dress (drill) jacket purposefully disappeared after its swim in the Severn after the last Prade. Somehow my Mother in Law salvaged it, and we found it in her attic 30+ years later. (And yes, it shrank !)We told our son that we’d like to preserve his Nutcracker uniform, so don’t toss that one
Old NAPSTER trick - sew the buttons on with a heavy gauge needle and dental floss instead of thread. Much more durable.If you’re talking about the USNA:
- Navy officer reefer (pea coat is the name used for enlisted version), the short heavy wool one with double-breasted lapels and brass buttons? I still have mine and wear it regularly in season as the warmest parka-length (covers butt) coat I own, perfect for dog-walking in icy cold wind or winter errands. I removed the gold officer buttons, purchased appropriately sized plain black buttons, and took it to the tailor at the dry cleaners and had them sew them on. It takes a serious needle and strong thread to do that on a thick coat, or I would have done it myself. They also removed the shoulder board tabs. Presto, military uniform turned into a legit civilian coat that has, yes, lasted me from 1977 to the present. I get compliments every time I wear it, because it just oozes authenticity.
- Officer Bridge Coat, the heavy long wool coat, double-breasted, gold officer buttons. I did the same button and shoulder board tab alterations as above, but donated it through the coat drive for the homeless my dry cleaner conveniently runs. I already had a civilian dress long wool coat. I wore my bridge coat during my USNA and Pentagon tours, and whenever I was in SDBs and needed a warm coat. I cvilianized it after I retired, and I like to think it is still keeping someone warm.
- Raincoat. Civilianize it, use it, donate it.
Military uniforms, if identifying military elements are removed, can be worn as civilian attire.
I admit to keeping 1 gold officer button on the reefer. It’s the one out of sight, way up under the collar where the very top flap of the lapel would button if I ever wore the reefer fully buttoned up and the collar up around my neck in classic Navy style.
Here’s a visual of the enlisted Navy pea coat, which has dark buttons. This is the Lone Sailor statue.
View attachment 12921
That heavy gauge coat needle and industrial-strength thimble is what I needed! The alterations folks at Admiral Cleaners here in Annapolis got a kick out of what I was doing. Made my reefer look fresh and clean. I just got it dry cleaned in preparation for chillier dog walking weather. That thing is so thick is just stops the wind.Old NAPSTER trick - sew the buttons on with a heavy gauge needle and dental floss instead of thread. Much more durable.