Working around Wool Allergy

[9th US Regulars]

This came to mind recently as I was thinking of alternative fabrics for more casual clothing. I have friends who are severely allergic to wool. As in, sleeping with a wool blanket will put them in the hospital. Is there an alternative fabric I could make a federal uniform from that will look the part?

 

[captaindrew]

The problem you'll run into is trousers. The fatigue blouse is actually made of a flannel material and your undergarments can be flannel or cotton. The trousers are wool though. I don't really know what you can substitute that with that would hold up.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

The only portion of a "standard" Federal uniform that is not made from a woolen fabric are the canton flannel drawers. There are a couple of denim state jackets that survive, but these were far from common and would severely limit the versatility of your kit. Trousers are a pretty big sticking point too. I know of a couple of pairs of cotton trousers worn by officers during the summer, but I've never seen a surviving example of cotton or linen trousers ID'd to a US enlisted man.

 

[lupaglupa]

I assume this is a contact allergy - could they wool parts of the uniform be lined with cotton?

 

[Lampasas Bill]

When I was reenacting I found that wool trousers next to my skin were irritating. I always wore canton flannel drawers which solved the problem.

 

[SgtDarby8OVI]

Years ago we had a guy in the unit who was "that guy" when it came to creative ways to annoy the officers. He once turned out for dress parade in his cotton drawers and leathers while claiming he was allergic to wool. He was on water detail for the rest of the event.

Seriously, your friend will need cotton drawers, linen or cotton shirts with good collars and long sleeves to protect his neck and wrists, cotton socks, and a quilt or comforter to sleep under. Unfortunately, the only place you will find more wool than a Civil War reenactment is a flock of sheep.