What You’ll Need
Black Tiller Hat (Large)
Union Mounted Greatcoat in Navy Blue
Undercollar Fabric in Yellow
Black Velvet Vest
Dark Grey Two-Button Sport Coat
Black and White Marled Cable Knit Scarf
Red Neck Tie
White Leather Gauntlet Gloves
Black Captain Boots
Silver Pocket Watch
Black Belt and Holster
Wild West Metal Cap Gun
Major Marquis Warren‘s outfit reflects a harsh Wyoming winter layered over the remnants of his military past. His silhouette is defined by heavy outerwear, dominated by a dark cavalry greatcoat, a wide-brimmed tiller hat, and striking white gauntlets that stand out against the darker woolens beneath.
Recreating this outfit comes down to balancing authentic-looking period layers without cooking yourself alive indoors. Warren wears nearly four distinct layers on his upper body alone, so paying attention to garment weight and structure makes a massive difference in how wearable the finished costume feels.
The Cavalry Greatcoat and Cape
The centerpiece of Warren’s appearance is his Union mounted greatcoat in dark navy blue. Unlike standard infantry coats, a mounted overcoat features an attached elbow-length capelet designed to drape over the shoulders and shed snow. Historical reproduction coats in heavy wool give the most accurate drape and weight, though they can be quite heavy for all-day wear.
One essential detail on Warren’s coat is the cavalry yellow undercollar. When the collar is turned up against the cold, bright yellow wool shows along the underside. If your base coat has a plain blue collar, basting or gluing a strip of yellow wool or flannel fabric to the underside of the collar creates the correct cavalry officer accent without requiring major tailoring.
Inner Suiting and Neckwear
Beneath the greatcoat, Warren dresses in formal post-war civilian clothing. He wears a dark grey two-button sport coat over a black velvet vest. Opting for a lightweight wool-blend or thrifted suit jacket prevents unnecessary bulk, especially since only the lapels and chest area remain visible when the greatcoat is worn open.
The black velvet vest sits closely against a plain white collared dress shirt. Velvet provides a rich texture contrast against the matte grey wool of the jacket. Loop a silver pocket watch chain across the front vest pockets, letting the fob rest visibly in one pocket while the chain arches across the buttons.
At the neck, Warren wears two contrasting pieces: a bold red necktie tied loosely under his shirt collar, and a thick black and white marled cable knit scarf. The scarf should be wound once or twice around the neck with the ends tucked casually into the chest of the coat, keeping the vivid red knot visible right at the throat.
Hat, Gloves, and Footwear
A black tiller hat anchors Warren’s profile. It features a moderately wide, flat brim and a low, rounded crown rather than a creased cowboy style. Keep the brim relatively flat and straight instead of curling the edges up, which keeps the silhouette true to late-nineteenth-century military styling.
White leather gauntlet gloves provide one of the highest-contrast visual elements of the entire costume. Because Warren spent years riding through dust and snow, brand-new pristine white leather can look out of place. Lightly rubbing a dry brown wax, acrylic wash, or powdered graphite into the seams and palms softens the stark brightness and gives them a broken-in, trail-worn appearance.
For footwear, tall black captain boots or cavalry-style riding boots pull the lower half together. Plain black trousers should tuck neatly into the boot shafts so the leather tops stay completely exposed.
Holster, Sidearms, and Weathering
Warren carries his sidearms in a sturdy black leather belt and holster rig positioned around the waist outside his vest and suit coat. A metal wild west style cap gun provides the right historical cylinder shape and barrel length for his revolvers. Check your venue’s prop rules beforehand, as metal replica firearms often require specific peace-bonding ties or orange tip markings at conventions.
Since Warren arrives straight from a freezing mountain blizzard, subtle environmental weathering sells the look. Light dabs of white textile paint or staging wax on the shoulders of the greatcoat and the brim of the hat give the impression of clinging snow without melting into wet spots.
