Needing tips on 'weathering' garments and gear...

[USSCassiopeia]

Hey!

I need your help... I need tips on weathering uniforms and field gear.

I have a WW2 German Army (repro) uniform and full field gear that I'd like to 'weather'. I'm wanting that Veteran look, and I need all the help I can get. I'm fighting my own natural impulses here - I'm usually quite anal about that kind of thing. As I'm tired of looking parade-ground fresh, I'm looking for a change.

Specifics:

Leather web gear
Original wood'n'steel e-tool with leather carrier
Cotton fabric breadbag and assault bag
Leather jack boots, steel hobnails.

Uniform is the lightweight summer cotton herringbone twill.
Helmet is regular steel with reversible camo cover

Weapon - MP40 with leather sling and canvas mag pouches.

What I need are tips to make it look more lived-in. For instance, a long time ago I found out that olive oil with soot in it makes convincing sweat stains.

Can you help me?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[TK1536]

My first response would've been Fullers Earth.
Ironically, over the weekend I picked up a book by a career costume supervisor and manager for numerous movies and TV. There was a chapter on making costumes look distressed and worn. His number one go-to was also Fullers Earth. One of his techniques was to put some in a small bag made of cheesecloth, then get it damp with certain oils (can't recall exactly), then blot your clothing. For things like cowboy hats and other leather items, he said not only use Fullers Earth to make it dirty, but also spill water and beer on it, shape it, then leave it in the sun to take shape. Any kind of material that has a 'fuzz' on it, should literally be shaved, to make it look aged, old and used.