Oh no she di-n't!

Oh yes, I did. From the Dark Threads Design Studio:

Original design by Mirv - mens jacket in digital urban twill.

Corset, based on historical pattern, in digital urban twill.

What to Wear: On "Tropical" Assignment

I keep looking over the Woolrich Elite Tactical Series and thinking, this must be what spies wear on vacation, LOL. Seriously, though, this line looks stylish yet functional, and I really like that. The designers paid careful attention to detail, and must have put a lot of thought into the color story (ok, maybe I watch Project Runway, a lot). It also reminds me of things that the character, Sam, on Burn Notice would wear...



L-R: Woolrich Elite 4-Pocket Discreet Carry Short-Sleeve Shirt, Woolrich Elite Discreet Carry Short-Sleeve Shirt, Elite CCW Shirt.

Any of the Woolrich Elite Tactical Series items are available for pre-order at this time, just by contacting sales@darkthreads.com.

Many, many updates

Hope everyone had a fine holiday! I sure did. I got a lot done over the long weekend, including lots of updates to the darkthreads.com site. One notable addition:

Tru-Spec 27-P Flight Suit - a very well-made, durable, and affordable coverall in four different colors and a range of sizes.

I wore one of these at The Wasteland game and I was very comfortable in it all day. I'm thinking that it would make a great base for all sorts of loadouts or costumes, in addition to more practical applications.

Stay tuned, there's more to come!

Happy Holidays!

see more Political Pictures
Have a good one! From all of us at Dark Threads!

Oh baby, it's cold outside!

...but no worries. The key to staying warm, as I've mentioned before, is layering, and taking advantage of the technology available.


GEN III ECWCS - Extended Cold Weather Clothing System - is based on the layering systems used by the Army and mountaineering professionals, and is designed to keep you warm and comfortable in extreme cold conditions.

Level 1 - a lightweight undershirt and leggings worn next to the skin, made of a highly breathable fabric with moisture-wicking abilities, dries quickly to providing cooling in warmer weather, and works as an insulating base under other layers without adding a lot of bulk. Black or sand, sizes Small - 3XL. Level 1 balaclava, also available.

Level 1 Top, Bottom, or Balaclava

Level 2 - a mid-weight top and bottom, also has moisture-wicking properties and provides another layer of insulation in colder climates. Black or sand, sizes Small - 3XL. Level 2 balaclava, also available.

Level 2 Top, Bottom, or Balaclava

Level 3 - a fleece jacket that can be worn as a liner for level 4, or as the top layer in milder weather. Black or foliage, sizes Small - 3XL.

Level 3 - Jacket

Microfleece watch cap - I know I can't get through winter without one. One Size in black, coyote, or foliage.


And don't forget our tried and true Flight Jacket.


Stay warm this season!

Holiday fun

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

LOL!

Updates: Propper, ABUs, 5.11, and more

Keep in mind that our Web store is an ever-changing thing. I am constantly adding new items and enhancements to make it a better experience for everyone. Feedback is welcome!

I recently updated our offerings from Propper , and I will be adding more items to that category, including the Mens ABU.



Also coming soon - 5.11, and much more! We have plans to greatly expand our line of uniforms and tactical gear for 2010!

Photo of the Day

Outdoor Game
Originally uploaded by mirvana

I was just browsing through my flickr photostream and thought, this is a really great photo of me in my MultiCam Tru-Spec TRU Combat Shirt, plate carrier, WileyX XL-1s, &etc. With chilly weather upon us, the TRU Combat Shirt would make an excellent layer under a fleece/insulated vest, as a transition into winter.

DarkThreads Tweets!

Get your tweet cloud here - http://tweetcloud.icodeforlove.com/

And follow us on Twitter!

Women in Airsoft

Just joined the SAWA Girls forum - a forum for women interested in discussion and empowering each other through Airsoft, MilSim and other similar activities.



Speaking of women in airsoft, here is my "Tip of the Day for Women in Airsoft": buy pants that are a little large and fit loosely. This will allow for greater mobility and ease of movement in the hips. A good test is if you can do a deep lunge or squat and hold it there for a few minutes. Tight pants might look good, but it might also hamper your speed and agility. If you ever need help choosing gear that fits, feel free to contact mirv@darkthreads.com for expert advice.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy T-day!

We hope that everyone has a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving tommorrow!

Tru-Spec Extended Cold Weather Clothing System

Now taking orders for Tru-Spec Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (Gen III ECWCS). Contact sales@darkthreads.com for pricing and info, or check out some of the products listed here on our Web site (I will be adding more products to the store as the cold season approaches).

I was glad I was wearing the base layers level 1 and 2 under my uniform at an event in Ohio last Feburary. There was snow on the ground and freezing temperatures for most of the day. The key to staying warm in those conditions is layering, and you want to choose the appropriate materials for each layer, as follows:

Level 1 Top and Bottom

Layer 1 goes right next to your skin, and should allow perspiration to dry quickly. Otherwise, if you get damp, you'll feel the cold right away. The Tru-Spec 3.7 oz. Performance Plus 100% polyester jersey in Gen III ECWCS level 1 base layer is specifically designed to breathe and wick away moisture. It's a smooth, comfortable, stretchy fabric, and also uses Microban For Anti-Microbial And Anti-Odor Defense.

Layer 2 should provide some insulation against the cold. The best fabrics for that purpose are wool or fleece, and it also helps if this layer fits well over your level 1 gear for easy movement. The Tru-Spec Gen III ECWCS level 2 is made of 6.6 oz. Performance Plus 93% Polyester/7% Spandex. Grid Fleece Aids In Breathability And Moisture Wicking Properties, and once again this is a soft, stretchy, comfortable fabric, with Microban.

Level 2 Balaclava


Layer 3, or your outermost layer should have some weather resistant properties, like our flight jacket. We are also taking pre-orders for any of the Tru-Spec Gen III ECWCS level 3 and H2O Proof gear. Contact sales@darkthreads.com for pricing and info.

Don't get left out in the cold or the rain this season!

Video from Wasteland

Photos/Review of Wasteland

It was in so many ways awesome, I don't even know where to begin. We arrived on site at Wayne's World of Paintball in Ocala, FL the day before the event to set up. We had trunkloads of props and equipment to put out on the field because we really wanted to capture the essence of the theme: Fallout 3.

I had never been to Wayne's before and got a chance to walk around the field. It's amazing and huge. There are dozens of plywood or concrete buildings and structures, vehicle chassis, and other installations scattered throughout the field, which is otherwise covered in dense foliage. It lends itself well to all sorts of scenarios. Check out the photos here on flickr.

Day of the event, I would guesstimate that we had around 170 players, plus a couple/few dozen staffers and NPCs. I was impressed with how many players and teams that showed up in good costumes and brought their own props to fit in with the theme. A lot of people really showed some effort. I set up the Dark Threads shop just briefly in case anyone needed anything. Surprisingly, we did make a lot of sales in that short time!


After the briefing, the players went onto the field and I took my position at "Craterside Supply" in "Megaton" as the character, Moira Brown. Sorry I didn't get any photos of myself in costume. Maybe someone else did and will share...but I did get a lot of photos of the players coming to me to purchase their weapons upgrades and trade relics for caps (the currency of the Wasteland). Players needed 50 caps to use their AEGs, and 75 to use a SAW. I also employed a mercenary or two, and gave players missions to find stuff for me. I didn't get to see much action outside of Megaton, but later in the afternoon, we were raided and there was a big firefight in Megaton.

The Enclave faction stole the "nuclear bomb" from the crater at the center of town, and some raiders looted my store. Fun times. As night fell, activity waned at Megaton, and I closed Craterside Supply for the night, and went to my tent to get some sleep.

Although we did break for lunch, the game was scheduled to go on through the night. I know that some teams and players took breaks for dinner, or to sleep, but in the morning, there was still a lot of action going on. I know there was a lot going on around "Paradise Falls," which was controlled by the Slaver faction. They occupied a three-story plywood structure, that they had lit up a like a Christmas tree, with strings of lights around the perimeter, and spotlights mounted around the compound, running off a generator that they brought into game. They even had a disco ball! From what I hear, the place was impenetrable, until someone fired a rocket launcher at the tower, and they shut off the lights to simulate a hit. Then, it was overrun.

I also heard that the Brotherhood of Steal obtained their objective - they found the GECK? - a techno device in a suitcase thingy (it was very impressive looking, actually) - in a vault-like structure on site that Mac (MGP) had rigged with a "secured" door. They had to connect some wires in an electrical box on the door, to trigger the cannon fuse, which released the latch on the door.

Of course, there were lots of Raider factions roaming about the field, harassing and robbing other players and merchants. Besides, Moira, there were other NPCs playing wandering merchants in the game.

It ended up being one of the most immersive airsoft games that I ever participated in, and a remarkable blending of an airsoft game with a post-apocalyptic themed LARP. I don't think there has really been anything else like it, and the feedback from the attendees so far has been unprecedentedly positive. Players are posting their AARs up on the Mindgame Productions forums and the Florida airsoft forums.

We are DEFINITELY doing something like this again.

We're back...

...and the MGP event, Wasteland, at Wayne's World of Paintball in Ocala, was a huge success, judging by the really positive feedback and AARs on the Mindgame Products and Florida airsoft forums...but before I go into my own review, we here at Dark Threads would like to extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family of the fallen soldiers at the Fort Hood tragedy that occurred last week. We also wish a speedy recovery and healing process for those who were injured, and a huge thanks to everyone who has ever served our country. Thank you.

This Week: Heading down to Florida for Wasteland event

The plan this week is to leave Pittsburgh, PA on Wednesday evening after work and head down to Raleigh, NC to stay overnight at my cousin's, and then continue on to Orlando, FL, Thursday to rendezvous with other Mindgame Productions operators. We will caravan up to Wayne's World in Ocala together on Friday. Friday, we have some setup to do on-site, and then Saturday is the big event - Wasteland - an airsoft LARP based on the post-apocalyptic themed video game, Fallout 3. I've seen other events with a post-apocalyptic theme, and cosplayers and LARPers doing Fallout 3 events, but I don't think there's ever been an event like this one in these parts. This will be a unique experience for all the players, and I'm very excited to be a part of it.

[Featured Brand] Eyewear: WileyX

Choosing protective eyewear is an investment, and as a brand, WileyX offers very high quality and value. They also offer many different styles to accommodate different needs and head sizes. So I have added the full line of WileyX tactical eyewear to our store. You can choose from goggles, which exceed military specifications for ballistic impact protection, and are NVG compatible, to the classic Saber style, which provides high velocity impact safety (ANSI Z87.1-2003 standards) for a very affordable price.

But that's not the coolest thing about WileyX...what is cool about WileyX is seeing them on one of my favorite sci-fi shows - Stargate Universe. Yes indeed, WileyX eyewear was featured prominently in the second episode, where several character traveled to a desert planet. It only made sense that they would be wearing WileyX to protect them from the harsh climate. I'm pretty sure that Scott and Greer were wearing the XL-1 Advanced climate-control specs (with a removable facial cavity seal), and Eli was either wearing the Romer II or Blink sunglasses.


XL-1 Advanced:


WileyX Romer II, or Blink?

Blink:
RomerII:
...the more I look at them, the more I'm thinking Blink.

Stargate Universe images, courtesy of GateWorld.net.

[Featured Product] Uniforms: TRU Combat Shirt

This item is so popular that it's hard to keep in stock. At first, only a few of the colors were available, but now we've got all the colors for the TRU Combat Shirt listed in the store.






I might just get one in each color for myself, because these shirts are so comfortable and wearable in so many different environments. The Cordura base layer fabric is soft and breathable, which makes it great for layering underneath a vest, while you still have the sleeve features of a conventional uniform. If you wear a vest all the time, you could easily swap out your old uniform shirt for this one. Or, it looks good on its own, for a more modern look.