SNAPPY SOLDIER TUNIC PLEAT

[John M McDermott]

Here is a picture of the fibula in place. It is not very neat looking, but it gets the job done. Remember, it functions as belt loop this way too. I think with repeated practice, a lot better result can be obtained, like tying a tie knot.

These are pictures of my first attempt. The sculptures show lots of very neat pleats. It could represent artistic convention or it could be that the number and perfection of the pleats was a point of expression with the individual soldier. The more and better the pleats, the sharper the look. I know from my own stay in the Marine Corps that such expression through one's uniform was very commonplace.

On these sculptures I think the pleats on the upper body come from the sagum. I am working on a correct expression of this too. I have worked out one way of wearing the sagum that matches some sculpture, but have not yet perfected the way it is shown on these sculptures. I have seen other sculpture that shows pleating on the upper part of the tunic too. Haven't been able to match this yet.