Shopping gurus, I need clothes...

[EliteRetard]

Im going to be spending most of my time in some very hot and sunny areas over the next few months, so Im looking for an outfit(s) that will work for that. Think open desert. I know exactly what I want but don't know what its called or how to find it. Ive spent a few hours online and tried all the local stores and malls as well. For some reason I can't find anyone who sells reasonable clothes.

I just want some loose fit plain white pants...lightweight but not see through (even when damp from sweat). Not slacks either. I need a plain loose fit lightweight white coat as well, that's also not see through. Like a linen or thin lightweight jean like material or something with no liner. I'll be wearing a thin black T-shirt as well.

It can be very windy, so I'd like to find a hooded jacket...hats are to much hassle, always blowing away and they don't provide as much protection (from sun or sand). And I'm on a budget of $50 for the outfit (pants and jacket). Really what I'm looking for is so plain and basic it shouldn't cost much. Probably going to need a few pairs of the pants (and T-shirts), so if the pants were a little cheaper that'd be awesome. But maybe I should get a second coat too...Hmmmm.

Best I've come up with so far are some painters pants and a sushi chef coat. Not quite what Im looking for. I dont need so many pockets and loops and extra knee pads ect. And the chefs coats are all short sleeved double lined and fold over themselves in the front and no hooded options. I wan't something more straight cut that will sit just slightly open in the front so I'm not roasting like an oven bag. Maybe a zipper or row of buttons for when it gets darker and colder out or to windy.

The black shirt helps pull body heat away, while the white helps reflect the suns heat and radiation (I don't want to bathe in SPF lotion all day for months). Ive lived in the desert before and that's what we wore.

Picture something like an assasins outfit. Just not so heavy and hot, and I don't need it to be cloak like either, the jacket can end around hip level. This is the closest image I could find quickly:

Maybe a bit looser jacket on the body and full length sleeves, and some loser/lighter white pants. I figure a computer enthusiast forum is the perfect place to ask...

I need to get everything picked up in less than two weeks. So can anybody here help me out, or offer some other possible suggestions?

As a bonus question, anybody know where I can get some decent shoes (breatheable sneaker probably) in a mens size 14 around $20? I only found one pair locally, a Sketchers brand, it literally had cloth for tread and the inside was just flat and hard with a floppy foam thing as the insole. I was like WTF? Ive gotta be able to walk a few miles.

And for those of you thinking this is a joke, I assure you it is not.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

You'll probably have to spend more than $20 to get a decent pair of walking shoes. Might be able to pick up a cheap pair of combat boots from a surplus store though. Otherwise you can try to thrift a pair of shoes. Or you can try a cheap pair of shoes with custom insoles.

As for the pants why not something like a pair of linen pants or seersucker. I think they're called summer or beach or lounge pants. Or a lot of companies are pants made with technical materials like whicking golf pants. I think they're breathable too or maybe grab some pants with vents.

I don't know about a jacket but why not grab a field jacket or something like a barbour desert jacket. I think there's a company that makes a Gi that also works as a hoody. Looks pretty bad ass lol.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

20 bucks will not get you a decent pair of shoes. Go to rack room shoes. Its always buy one get one half off

 

[EliteRetard]

I do have a pair of waterproof leather boots...I'll bring them, but during the day I'm sure they'll be to hot. I'd get trenchfoot from soaking in my own sweat.

You don't think $20 is enough for a pair of sneakers? Don't think I saw a pair locally for more than $25...just couldn't find size 14s. I can understand a good quality boot costing more, but a sneaker is just a sandal with scraps of fabric and some string to help keep it on your foot. I am willing to pay a bit more for something that actually has real arch support though.

Seersucker, havn't heard of that before. Got any links? When I search online I find a lot of womens pants and a bunch of stuff that looks like slacks. Im not sure if slacks are thick enough/durable enough. I don't want my sweaty ass shining through the white pants. I don't want to win the wet pants contest. Since I havn't found anything locally I cant really check it out and know what to look for.

Ill try browsing for beach/lounge pants. I dont need anything expensive or fancy with technical materials. Ill probably need a few pairs so I want to stay under $25 pair.

Thanks for the tip on rackroomshoes, but the site seems very poorly laid out. I couldn't find anywhere to search by size and I tried a few different options on a few different pages, couldn't find a size 14.

 

[EliteRetard]

Not having any luck on the jackets...those barbour jackets are stupid expensive and not what I'm looking for...anything I can find on feild jackets doesn't have a hood and is dark colored or camo. I want a light/white color for the outer layer.

Thanks for the help so far...Ill keep browsing with your info for now.

Doesn't have to be cotton, I could use a thin/lightweight breatheable plastic like material (nylon/polyester maybe?). Do they make jackets like that, what would they be called?

 

[lxskllr]

http://www.utilikilts.com/company/products/kilts/survival/

 

[EliteRetard]

Thanks for the input, but not good for the desert...you don't want exposed skin. No matter what your resistance, many hours of sun exposure will cause you harm.

 

[lxskllr]

Thanks for the input, but not good for the desert...you don't want exposed skin. No matter what your resistance, many hours of sun exposure will cause you harm.

Go to a surplus store, and get the old summer issue BDUs, or some of the new things with the digital camo. They're fairly cool, fairly inexpensive, and very durable with lots of useful pockets. That's all I wore to work for years.

 

[The_Dude8]

Try REI Sahara pants and shirt, but they're expensive thought

http://www.rei.com/search?query=sahara

 

[EliteRetard]

At first I was like BDU? Then I was like OHHHhhh...dur. Perhaps a desert camo version is what I will end up with. Im still holding out for something a little different (with a hood).

 

[EliteRetard]

Convertible pants? Brilliant! Ill keep an eye out for something like that...and the shirt may have potential. If I can find them for 60% off.

Oh I gotta go for a bit...Ill be back.

 

[Pia]

That is a super low budget for good quality clothing, IMO.
Military surplus is the best bet, that stuff is going to be durable, cheap, and some of it designed explicitly for desert conditions.

I suggest buying multifunction (tube) headwear; it's lightweight but can shield your neck from sun and be pulled up to cover your face vs dust and sand as well. I have recently become a fan of these, except I use them in blizzard conditions. "Buff" is the name brand but it looks like there are generic ones available from ebay for a few bucks.

I'd at least take a cap, if not a hat. Having a visor helps a lot against the sun. Chinstrap fixes any flying-away problems. I don't like hoods so much - they are unlikely to be so big and roomy that they cover your eyes and nose properly; if they are big and roomy they are likely to catch the wind and try to pull back over your head; etc.

 

[lxskllr]

For a hat, I used to wear a military boonie hat with a bandanna tied into the camo loops so it hung over my neck legionnaire style. Bandannas are handy anyway. You should keep a few with you. They wipe sweat, make handy improvised pouches and pockets, and can block sun while being lightweight.