Fashion at Federal Army & Navy Surplus in Seattle

The Federal Army & Navy Surplus is a store I pass by often in my walks around Seattle. It’s just a couple of blocks away from the famous Pike Place Market and a stone’s throw from Sassafras, the boutique that started my love affair with Seattle’s local fashion scene.

Their store windows always showcase interesting things, but as mentioned in my previous post about the Indies on 1st, the Federal Army & Navy Surplus does not at first glance appear to be the kind of place a “woman of fashion” might find said fashion. Even their shop sign boasts “camping & hunting supplies,” which is not something I do.

But, woe is she who poo-poos the Federal Army & Navy Surplus!

Before Amy Tipton from the aforementioned and beloved Sassafras and I set out on our shopping day together, she told me the Federal Army & Navy Surplus was a must-shop. I trust Amy as a friend and as a voice of fashion in Seattle. So, when we set out together, that was the first place we stopped.

Maggie from Blue Hour Photography joined us and captured all the fun. All the photos here are her work.

Are you ready to see what we found???

Autumn finally broke into Seattle with the typical rains at the end of October and now we’re edging toward winter. When the rain first hit, the temps were still fairly warm and I realized I was without a basic rain jacket. All my other jackets were padded for warmth.

One of the first discoveries I made at Federal Army & Navy Surplus was this yellow slicker. It’s the color of sunshine and reminds me of raincoats I wore when I was a kid.

Another perfect rain jacket I found was also sunny yellow and it had pockets all over it to carry and protect things like my smartphone. For a little more fashion pizazz, we added the beret and a fabulous messenger bag. The black long-sleeve tee and the army boots are from Federal Army & Navy Surplus as well!

Amy put together a more winter-friendly look with her padded olive-green parka. It has a faux-fur lined hood. I think she looks rather chic with the blue beret and brown messenger bag.

Amy also found a classic striped tunic that goes with pretty much everything–even mismatched boots!

Back to Basics

It probably comes as no surprise that the Federal Army & Navy Surplus has basics like black hoodies, but sometimes it’s surprisingly difficult to find these kinds of things. They, of course, come in a variety of sizes that fit both men and women.

Another basic we discovered was black long johns. The top (pictured below) is perfect for wearing on its own, but both the top and bottoms are great layering pieces to keep warm in the winter.

Amy also tried on a black blazer with some figure-flattering lines and pretty fabulous buttons:

And then there were the jumpsuits.

You wouldn’t think a jumpsuit would be a fashion item for the masses, but I am here to tell you that I fell completely in love with this black jumpsuit. Maggie spotted a group of them hanging in the kids’ section. She casually mentioned I should try one on.

I did. I fell in love. And I bought it.

With the satin bomber jacket and army boots–both of which are available at this store–I look a little bit like a hero in The Hunger Games or Top Gun. But just wait until I belt that puppy and add some red boots or high heels.

For the Gents

It goes without saying that the Federal Army & Navy Surplus has lots of options for the guys. Amy and I both found Christmas gift ideas for our hubbies.

They have every color of flannel shirt available, many of which can be worn by either men or women.

In addition, they carry pants and jeans and, as demonstrated above, jackets of all kinds.

For the Home

Another surprise came when our hostess Davina, the Chief Operating Officer, pointed out some of the items they have for decorating the home.

The pièce de résistance came when Davina took us to their warehouse area and showed us the vintage, one-of-a-kind wool blankets from Poland they had just gotten in. We were allowed a sneak peak and now you get to see them too. These blankets weren’t even for sale yet, but they will be and each one is unique.

A lot was happening in my mind when the photo below was taken.

How soon can I get my hands on one of these blankets?
Why didn’t I know before that these kinds of blankets existed?
What else have I missed never having visited this shop before?

Accessories for a Cause

My previous post highlighted some of the winter accessories, like caps and scarves available at Federal Army & Navy Surplus. Not only do they make excellent gifts for the guys and gals in our lives, Davina and her team are partnering with the other Indies on 1st I visited during my shopping day. Together, they’ll donate hats and scarves from Federal Army & Navy Surplus to the homeless for Christmas.

If you’re interested in learning how you can participate in this program, I’ll have more details next week.

Good Upon Good

It does the heart good to shop at local places like Federal Army & Navy Surplus. Supporting them as they support others brings about a feeling of peace. It makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself.

It might not mean so much for me to say that if what they have to offer isn’t amazing. But it is amazing. There is so much worth checking out. I’ll be back again and again.

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Federal Army Navy Surplus is located at 2112 1st Ave in Seattle. If you like what you see on my blog but live far away or if you simply can’t make it downtown, head over to their website. They have a large selection of items available online, including gift certificates. They can also be reached by phone at 206-443-1818 or 888-276-9689.

Store Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 9:30am-6pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm

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Affiliate Link Disclaimer: Although I received a discount for my purchases at Federal Army Navy, I was not paid by them to write this article. Nor will I receive compensation from them if you shop there. There are, however, advertising links embedded in my blog that could garner me commission if you purchase something from those advertisers. The money I make from these commissions helps me do what I do here at Petite Over 40. If you make such a purchase, thank you for your support!