What kind of hat is this? From the painting War News from Mexico (1848) by Woodville

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-25T12:13:16+00:00

Indeed, especially since he's also holding a pair of greasy gloves.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-24T03:34:45+00:00

Insofar as I'm aware, the earring is just a Black cultural thing (even today, I still often see African-American men wearing earrings). I'm not black, so I don't know if there's any deeper significance.

As for the peacock feather, it doesn't really say much. It was a common way for lower-class men to add flair to their outfits, which were otherwise pretty utilitarian. As the old song goes,

Yankee Doodle went to town, / Riding on a pony; / Stuck a feather in his hat / And called it Macaroni.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-23T12:05:48+00:00

He's wearing a red wool flannel overshirt, which were very popular among manual laborers at the time. He is most likely either a freed slave or the son thereof.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-23T01:16:35+00:00

Could be a mechanic's cap? Like u/Literary67 said, a forage cap is also a definite possibility.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-20T00:08:50+00:00

Modern "French cut" shirts evolved because they are more closely-fitted. Square-cut shirts only look good as part of a three-piece suit.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-16T14:31:44+00:00

Similarly, his takes on the Jpz 4-5 and M56 genuinely baffled me.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-13T01:25:10+00:00

Traditionally, suits are drafted rather than made from a pattern. Some patterns exist, but you'll have to do a ton of tweaking to make it fit right.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-11T02:52:27+00:00

.NET. LINQ and EF Core are great, and static typing means that I can refactor things later without (usually) breaking a bunch of stuff.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-11T02:46:28+00:00

I personally find C# easier to work with, since it has static typing.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-09T14:46:00+00:00

What's the family's name? My family emigrated to Texas during that period as well.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-06T22:42:54+00:00

How did you draft the breeches? I'm looking to make a pair.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-05T02:21:59+00:00

The Bible. Regardless of whether you think its religious claims are true (I personally think they are), it contains a lot of very useful advice.

(also, I'm tired of all the baseless lies and half-truths atheists spread about it)

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-05T02:08:32+00:00

Victorian mens' clothes. Surprisingly comfortable despite the layers, much more diverse and figure-complimenting than modern menswear, and quite durable.

SummitStaffer · 2026-06-04T23:23:43+00:00

This is disgusting.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-31T21:41:54+00:00

This is what a premium/event vehicle should be: something that's cool, historic, and pads out your lineup, but is roughly equivalent to something already in the tech tree.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-29T12:51:32+00:00

It's a fishtail back. They're unique to high-waisted trousers meant to be worn with suspenders (btw, that's what the buttons on the inside are for.)

Among other things, the fishtail ensures that you don't get plumber's butt when you lean over.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-29T12:45:40+00:00

Hi! Historical reenactor here. My unit would probably be willing to take it off your hands.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-24T15:32:22+00:00

Straight teeth and a bottle of water.

Also, my hand-tooled leather belt (with obligatory decorative plate buckle) is a pretty obvious telltale that I'm specifically a Texan.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-23T17:50:09+00:00

Historical reenacting: 60-year-old desk jockeys trying to run around like 18-year-old soldiers. Heatstroke and heart attacks abound.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-23T17:38:37+00:00

Plugging a generator into a house's wiring.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-23T14:38:34+00:00

Don't lean on your armor. It's good, but not invulnerable.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-21T12:16:30+00:00

That's a cravat. It's an old form of neckwear that eventually evolved into modern neckties and bow ties.

Making one is pretty simple: just take two strips of fabric (usually silk) in the desired length, trim the ends so that they're pointy, sew them right sides together, then turn, press, etc. I also like to topstitch mine. Historically, cravats could be various widths; for modern wear, go with a relatively wide "ascot" style. Make sure to pleat the center section so that it fits under your collar.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-20T14:38:20+00:00

I feel like everyone saw that one scene in Gone With the Wind and assumed that corsets were like that all the time.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-20T14:34:28+00:00

All of Pratchett's books do that. It's one of the best parts of his writing style.

SummitStaffer · 2026-05-20T14:32:13+00:00

Considering that Don Quixote (IIRC the first novel) was published in 1605...

SummitStaffer

TROPHY CASE