Riss

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Clothing is a necessity for humanity. Before the Fallout, the clothing industry revolved around fashion, aesthetic, and status symbols. No more. Ornamentation means nothing in the post-Pandemic world. While a few individuals may choose to dress nicely, the vast majority would choose function over form if form was an option. As it's not, they have no choice but to scramble for the most functional items they can. Clothing's worth is in its practicality.

Most clothing is short-lived: the harsh environment has given "wear and tear" a new meaning. Many survivors layer their clothing, using upper layers to cover holes in lower layers and vice versa. Repairs are time-consuming and difficult, so most stragglers simply wear the same items until they have literally disintegrated beyond all functionality.

When they do need new items, stragglers forage in city areas. Unfortunately, clothing is even scarcer than food is. Though one may be providential enough to stumble upon a decimated mall with wearable clothing, the pickings are probably slim, with many items already ravaged by time. Most people hold tight to their clothes, though they may share within a group. Occasionally, a straggler will trade a spare garment: such items are extremely valuable and come with a high price in food or other goods.

The stragglers have the toughest time finding clothing in comparison to other groups. While hegemons and fortresses have means of making new clothing and a monopoly on the supply of existing clothes, stragglers must search and fight for every stitch. Buildings commonly collapse on stragglers searching for clothing or other resources among the ruins; many stragglers consider it an acceptable risk.

Some stragglers experiment with crude forms of armor. Gang members may also have some basic armor. Neither can compare to the armor of the fortress humans, but there isn't anything else that can, either. Most straggler armor is mundane at best; the outfits rarely progress beyond simple shin guards, padding around the joints, and makeshift breast plates. The worth of an item is determined by its durability and effectiveness at protecting the owner from Walkers. Materials such as nylon, malleable metals, heavy plastics, and particularly leather are very precious commodities thanks to their durability. Weaponry does often get first priority when using such precious materials but any armor made with such material is in high demand.

Shoes are just as important as clothes and perhaps even harder to find. Most stragglers rely on their feet for most transportation, so good shoes are essential. Because they are so important, they are also scarce. The average straggler is extremely lucky to have a comfortable and durable pair; few have proper footwear. Valley Forge-style rags or crudely stitched together rubber and moccasins are the best most can do.