Another battle: comfort vs. style

Fellow Revolutionary War reenactors Myles McConnon and Tommy Balcom have strong opinions about their uniforms. Mr. McConnon plays a Colonial militiaman. Mr. Balcom is a British grenadier. (See story on facing page.)

McConnon likes his 18th-century farmer's clothing. It's light and comfortable even in a hard-driving rain. He gets wet, of course, but his layers of wool garments still keep him warm. Balcom, on the other hand, wonders "how [the British] could function." His fancy clothes (also wool) are very heavy and hot. When both men were interviewed in uniform on a 70-degree F. day in Boston, Balcom panted in the shade as McConnon basked in the sun.

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