Urban-Tone Clothing

[BerettaNut92]

For academic purposes....

Other than black = bad, we see guys wear tan for the desert and OD for everything else...what colors would be best for an urban environment? Light gray? Medium gray? Dark gray? I don't know where I read that blue was supposed to work well at night?

Anyone?

 

[TrapperReady]

Around here, we have Scooter Ninjas who are nearly invisible in their jeans and navy-blue hooded sweatshirts. This past fall, it was a miracle I didn't run over a couple of them every time I pulled into the subdivision.

In most major cities, I would think that a black leather Kenneth Cole jacket, a dark-gray t-shirt and a pair of Diesel jeans would pretty much ensure that you just melt into the background.

Perhaps there needs to be a new "Queer Eye for the Tactical Guy" show?

 

[sanchezero]

Earth tones are usually good to go. Black actually isn't so good.

 

[Telperion]

Supposedly red is the first color to disappear under low-light conditions.

 

[Oracle]

I'd say a medium-dark gray. Like what the Germans used for their uniforms in WWII.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

 

[El Tejon]

Colours found in Nature are the natural choice.

I like OD. Looks like the Earf, around here at least.

 

[Mute]

If you don't move, they can't see you.



Seriously, I'd say medium to light gray.

 

[Smoke]

Wait, wait, wait.....

Earth tones? For Skunky?

Now possumbilly has always worn earth tones. Tactical khakis, Brown leather, etc. But how can we in good consious tell Skunk to wear earth tones. The guy has a fortune tied up in black, carbon fiber, nylon, plastic etc. It could bankrupt him to re-equip!

...then again it could be good for the economy.....


Smoke

 

[Dr.Rob]

Supposedly some alphabet agency once did a study, medium to,light gray works best.

Problem is, before everything gets turned to rubble, an urban environment is a sea of hard angles, no matter what you are wearing, motion is easier to see.

Anything that breaks up your overall outline is good. Smaller 'chunks" of color/shade give you less to "see" at a distance.

A muted pair of pants ie olive/kahki/tan with a reversable gray/brown/black jacket would be pretty useful.

As for wearing red, Bosnian women stopped wearing the color red during the siege of Sarajevo... just like shiny red sports cars get more tickets than brown ones, red is a color that attracts the eye. Also civilians never wore anything that resembled a uniform, as this too would draw fire. They suggested shades of dark blue, muted purple or gray for moving about outside.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Mmmm. That picture of the shopping cart lady reminded me of an idea I had awhile back: Urban Ghillie Suitâ„¢. It would be made up from old black garbage bags, fast food wrappers and old newspapers. Just prone out on the sidewalk, or say, in the back of an alley, flip up your patented Urban Ghillie Suiteâ„¢ Pringles Canâ„¢ scope cover and start survailing the target area.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

nobody pays attention to the bag ladies

the one above has her electronic ears on and an arsenal in the cart

 

[Soap]

Fubu, Pelle Pelle, Sean John, RocaWear, etc.

 

[El Tejon]

QBG, I guess it depends on where you are. Try your idea here and a troop of Boy Scouts will rush out into the street and haul you off to the recycling center, after posing for a photo on B6 of the paper.

BTW, here they would keep your rifle for merit badge qualification or "Guns for the Underprivileged" Program.

 

[10-Ring]

I would think shades of beige, tan, blue-ish gray, gray & green just like all the colors of all those new houses in the OC.

 

[Sleuth]

Skunk, in Orange County, either fusha or mauve is the best urban camo. You ARE in the PRC, after all.

In most major cities, a nice suit or sportcoat for the men. Blend in, not stand out.

 

[sm]

Earth tones, grays, kahki, Olive green and other shades of green, and blue.

Style of dress makes difference in not being "noticed". I spot CCW using some belts and the first thing a LEO buddy told a new undercover was to ditch The Sam Browne belt.

Vehicles, black doesn't work for them either. Almost happened to my cobalt truck, but did happen to my aforementioned LEO undercover buddy. Cobalt blue full size GMC re cab p/u ( his undercover vehicle) was hit in his driveway by his wife at the time...she did not see it!!! He also used a hunter green Chevy P/U on occaisons. His unmarked car was cobalt blue and "not stock" tho'. it looked like an old man's car.

We both wore Kahkis/jeans, button down oxfords and appeared to be then as now tho older 40s -50's guys that had retired early, didn't have to dress for success, or heading out to get lawn/garden/building supplies.

I once stood still on his driveway and he and his wife ( he did notice first) looked right me--me in jeans, a OD shooting shirt with the shooting patch and elbows, the tree behind me camo'd me...and it was not dark yet. His wife jumped 2 ft striaght up when I said hello. Jeans "appeared' to be the trunk of tree...that darn tree "spoke"

 

[Steve Smith]

Nice button down shirt, nice jeans, Doc Martens...perhaps a good leather jacket for style points. Blend in perfectly. Why is this so hard, Skunk?

 

[Dr.Rob]

I'd opt for a Diamante tab collared rayon shirt in black or dove gray, slightly worn black wranglers, A Shepler's dress belt, Hondo pointy toed boots, and a gray/silver rayon blazer...

Oh wait thats for a different kind of tactical operations.

Funny thing though I've 'suprised" a few friends who didn't see me standing in the shadows with that get-up.

Fleece and wool also don't make as much noise as other fabric when they scrape agianst branches, fire escapes, car hoods etc.

 

[G-Raptor]

On first impression, I'd have to agree with Dr. Rob. In the modern urban environment , there is no "natural" background - you're just as likely to encounter a stainless steel and glass wall, as one of brick or woood. Public places generally include some ornamental greenery - even in the dead of winter.

Until the walls come crashing down, the landscape is primarily straight lines and angles. Most backgrounds (walls) are largely monochrome and have regular patterns, so any irregular pattern will stand out.

Vertical or horizontal striped patterns in earth tones would probably work (the zebra effect), particularly in low light.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Weren't the Marines experimenting with some gray BDU with different toned gray right angles on them? Or are they going to go with an urban version of their MARPAT? Or not even bother?

Anyone see those urban tiger stripes?

 

[nordaim]

My Urban Wear

Both for colouration and casualness:

-Dark pair of sturdy shoes (usually Doc Martens)
-Well worn and faded jeans, so it fades through light, medium, and dark blue.
-Heather gray t-shirt
-Dark gray fleece

I find it effective for most seasons here in PA. Too warm, ditch the fleece, too cold, pull on the field jacket.

 

[Brian D.]

Just wear a mailbox! Sorry, every urban camo thread makes me think about that unseen agent on Get Smart. The one who apparently could cram himself into vending machines and such to stay out of sight...

 

[fiVe]

Would you believe that was Agent 13 and/or Agent 44?

Sorry about that, chief.

 

[Sleuth]

During the "survivalist" craze, I remember guys talking about keeping a bug out bag with cammo clothing at their offices in big cities. Asking the question WHY? was not part of their plan.

So here I am, a big city cop in the middle of town, and some guy walks out of a building wearing cammo, while everyone else is in 3 piece suits & business wear. Who becomes the target? How about for "them" (whoever your version of "them is)?
Blend in, in what is called "smart casual", which in the city would be at least a sport coat & slacks for the men. You want to blend in with the sheeple, not stand out.

As with any other camo, examine your environment 1st!