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[Argen Tium]

hi in my WIP I have a picture of my leather trenchcoat and would love to know whether the shoulder and arm armour plates need to be on top or under the trenchcoat?  if on top how to secure it without damaging the trenchcoat. is a velcro strap around the sleeves allowed?

also I know buttons are not allowed so how best to hide them?

here is the image.

[Gel'ren Drask]

The shoulder and arm plates would go over the the jacket.  Now, here's my advice if you're dead set on using a trenchcoat:  go to a thrift store, buy an inexpensive one and chop the sleeves off and make a trench vest, then the shoulder armor will be on your vest and not the jacket.  Not a lot of folks wear them for a number of reasons, mainly they are hard to get to look right and not just a chopped up trench coat tossed on your kit.  If I recall correctly, only the trench vest is approved for use and not the full coat.

For the buttons, one member, Ithica, was rather clever.  He removed the buttons and replaced them with some fine chain and clasps running across his chest, looked pretty sharp and was a nice little detail.

Now, personal opinion: don't use a leather one.  Try to find a fabric one, it will be somewhat lighter and not as hot a leather one.  These kits get rather warm, and anything to help you be a little more comfortable is a blessing.

[Chro]

There's pretty much no way to use a trenchcoat under your armor without modifying it, otherwise it looks funny. Wearing a coat over your armor doesn't work either because it hides everything.

The sleeve removal is really the way to go if you want to incorporate a duster/trenchcoat vibe into your armor. In that event you can wear it over your armor and still show some of it off, or under and it will look more seamless. Chopping one up also means you can just skip the buttons or closure altogether since you don't want to hide your chest anyway.

[Echo Darklighter]

There's pretty much no way to use a trenchcoat under your armor without modifying it, otherwise it looks funny. Wearing a coat over your armor doesn't work either because it hides everything.

The sleeve removal is really the way to go if you want to incorporate a duster/trenchcoat vibe into your armor. In that event you can wear it over your armor and still show some of it off, or under and it will look more seamless. Chopping one up also means you can just skip the buttons or closure altogether since you don't want to hide your chest anyway.

This.  I used a trench coat in my first kit.  On top of the vest with the lapels tucked back to show off the armor, but under my girth belt to keep it in place.  And, of course, hack off the sleeves.

[Argen Tium]

Thank you for your answers, I will NOT be hacking away at my favourite leather jacket. my only conundrum now is Backplate Or torn cape?

[Echo Darklighter]

Thank you for your answers, I will NOT be hacking away at my favourite leather jacket. my only conundrum now is Backplate Or torn cape?

Back plate and torn cape.  Build a nice back plate and slice up the cape so it pokes through.  Or you could do a Boba-style drape.  I just added one to my own kit, actually...

[Argen Tium]

Back plate and torn cape.  Build a nice back plate and slice up the cape so it pokes through.  Or you could do a Boba-style drape.  I just added one to my own kit, actually...

ooooh that could be do able.