Police/Sheriff costumes
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2352
Printed Date: 7/26/25 at 2:06pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Police/Sheriff costumes
Posted By: doublezero420
Subject: Police/Sheriff costumes
Date Posted: 4/14/07 at 6:39am
Nest season I will be directing a courtroom travesty and need costumes for the bailiff and prison guard. I have been searching on-line for costumes to rent or buy but cannot find anything better than a "Sexy Officer Ginger/Steve" that is only one step shy of a stripper outfit. (granted it is a comedy, but I'd still like realistic costumes. Especially since we're performing the show in the County Circuit Court Room.  )
does anyone know where i can find costumes to buy or rent? or even a pattern to make said costumes would be great (prob'ly better, that way they can be "made to fit").
Thanks,
aaron
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Replies:
Posted By: MikeO
Date Posted: 4/14/07 at 8:17pm
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Check with local colleges near you for campus police uniforms. They are probably very close to what you need. They may rent or lend them to you for a honorable mention. ------------- I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!! |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 4/14/07 at 10:38pm
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Check out a local Army/Navy Surplus store. They might have useable items for less.
Authentic police uniforms are expensive. Here's a link to purchase official uniforms, if you're still interested.
http://www.uniwearonline.com/index.php/cPath/34 - http://www.uniwearonline.com/index.php/cPath/34 ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: eagle10
Date Posted: 4/16/07 at 4:46am
| You could get pictures from the net of actual people in relevant costumes and see if tailors would be able or willing to make them. Some uniform companies make items that look fairly police-like and you might just add some detail to make it look more authentic. |
Posted By: teridtiger
Date Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:59pm
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How about trying a local security company? Ask if you can trade out insignia/logos/patches on their uniform shirt, and then return the uniform to its original state before returning to the security company.
Or, try trade magazines that sell security uniforms:
http://www.bigfrontuniforms.com/Security-Uniforms.html - http://www.bigfrontuniforms.com/Security-Uniforms.html
http://www.securityuniforms.com/ - http://www.securityuniforms.com/
Also Dickie's is an excellent company that sells "the basics" as far as industrial type work uniforms: http://www.dickies.com/ - http://www.dickies.com/
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Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:47pm
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If you have anyone who can sew, try adapting what you have (or what your actors have on hand). Flaps can easily be added to pockets, a ribbon added to pants legs, etc. ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: suzecue1
Date Posted: 4/16/07 at 6:04pm
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How about simply calling your local police department and asking if they have old uniforms. Most departments would like the good PR of having a thank you in the program! ------------- Sue ***** So many hats.....so few heads! |
Posted By: teridtiger
Date Posted: 4/16/07 at 6:17pm
| I am pretty sure that most official police uniforms are destroyed (at the very minimum patches/insignia must removed). At least that's the case in the City of San Diego and its environs. It's to avoid police/government liability in potential "impersonating a police officer" cases. Unfortunately, this happens quite a bit on Southern California freeways. |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 4/17/07 at 3:09am
| I agree with teridtiger... even in our very small town the police department is unwilling to lend any of this type of equipment, I suppose for the same reason. Still many shows it seems require a policeman to be costumed so you really need to hit upon something that you feel works for you. We have done what Nanette suggests--- found navy pants and shirts that closely approximate the look and add patches. Actually, we were able to obtain through a website an actual NYC police dept patch to sew on a shirt for Murray the Cop in the Odd Couple...which surprised us. |
Posted By: suzecue1
Date Posted: 4/17/07 at 10:38am
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I had no idea - I guess that is the joy of living in a small, trusting, rural town. We even cast the occasional police officer and fireman. LOL! We have borrowed old firemen and police uniforms and jackets (patches removed) and returned them when done. I see no reason why the navy shirt and pants wouldn't service the same purpose. ------------- Sue ***** So many hats.....so few heads! |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 4/25/07 at 3:07pm
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We have borrowed uniforms several times from the local departments. You may end up with summer uniforms in winter or vise versa but we have never had a problem. Funny Story: I was transporting a uniform to another theatre when I was stopped in a rural speed trap (I admit it I was going to fast). As the officer approached the car, he saw the uniform hanging in the back seat. He said "I'm not going to ticket a fellow officer, get out of here." I never lead him in any way to believe I was a police officer. If he had approached from the other side he would have seen a nice lace dress. I kept my mouth shut, obeyed the officer and left. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: Turkn8or
Date Posted: 6/04/07 at 10:22am
| Check out my website at http://www.StevanTurk.com - www.StevanTurk.com and contact me if I can be of service. Where are you located? I'm in San Diego County. |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 6/04/07 at 8:31pm
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A couple of years ago our state troopers donated used uniforms to our theater. We have used them and used them. We have lent them to other theaters numerous times. Along with the priest's cassock, I would say, they are our most borrowed costume items. Yes, badges and insignias were removed, but that is easy to take care of. There is no harm in asking.
Linda
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