I have acquired the Sears Fall/Winter catalogs for 1976, 1977 and 1978. The coveralls pictured in the 1977 and 1978 catalogs nearly perfectly match the screen-used coveralls that have been identified in the forums, their descriptions match the product details on the packaging that came with the coveralls as pictured in the Definitive Guide post in the forum, and the item number from the coveralls in the Definitive Guide match as well. The one detail that is different is that the collar has a snap instead of a button.
The 1976 coveralls have the exact same description, however the accompanying picture shows a rounded pocket flap, not square.
Based on these catalogs, I have theorized that the screen-used coveralls were indeed borrowed from someone who purchased them sometime prior to at least 1976, prior to the collar button being changed to a snap. But until I can find a catalog that shows the collar button, it will have to remain a theory.
The colors listed in all three catalogs are: Dark Green, Navy, White, Tan and Charcoal Gray (Gray Herringbone is listed as an option in 1978 as well). If you look at the item number below the size on the tag shown in the photo below from the Definitive Guide page, this particular pair of coveralls has an item number of 10333, which is identified as Dark Green in the tall size in each of the catalogs. Without the actual coveralls from the movie, this proves nothing in particular about the original coverall color, but it does show that the coveralls pictured in the Definitive Guide post are Dark Green, not Charcoal Gray.
If anyone comes across Sears catalogs from earlier in the 70s or even late 60s, please check to see if the coveralls are shown with collar buttons or snaps. The item description should say which, if it isn’t obvious in the photo.
I had found the info below a while ago and neglected to post it, but I found the right catalog. It’s Sears 1973 fall and winter.
This was the first catalog to introduce the coveralls labeled as “Tradewear” (same spelling as the tag on all correct pairs). In later catalogs is spelled “Trade-Ware” amongst various other spellings. The '73 catalog also contains “One-piece Work Suit” which we know was on the original packaging for the correct coveralls used in Halloween 1978. You can see the coveralls in the second photo below, worn by the model on the right-hand side. Right pocket, no snap.
Colors available are: Spruce, White, Tex-Green, and Postman Blue. We know from my previous discovery in the catalogs that “Tex-Green” is described by Sears as a “Grey-Green”; that combined with the fact that other Sears items from the same years and onward show Spruce as a much more vibrant green all but confirm that the coveralls were Tex Green.
Great info. And now I can stop blowing money on Sears catalogs.
Some of the item numbers remained the same throughout the years. So it appears 10333 which in 1973 was the tall code for Spruce, was eventually just re-labeled Dark Green as it is identified by the asterisk info in the photo.
What is interesting is that the item 10338–Tex Green, which is clearly identified as **gray/green in 1973, became the item code for Navy in 1976 and later. Would have been really nice if that code had changed to Charcoal Gray, but that’s a total different number.
All that said, I believe you are absolutely correct, with the correct collar closure and all other details being correct, Tex Green it is. And I believe this also confirms my theory that the coveralls were borrowed from someone who originally bought them in or around 1973.
This is a FANTASTIC post!! Amazing research guys!!! I have a question. If I’m buying red kap coveralls… which color would be closest to this tex green used on the original coveralls… charcoal or spruce green? The school yard shot always looks charcoal to me.
The Red Kap charcoal gray is a tad too neutral and their spruce green is a too green for H1 to my eyes. If you’re really shooting for accuracy you’d probably need to start with the charcoal and add some subtle blue/green tinting with fabric dyes. But in my opinion, the absolute best option is to contact Patrick Connor on Facebook and have him outfit you with the closest thing to the originals out there.
I was very hesitant on believing they were anything but Charcoal, but I wish I kept the 1033 tag on mine. After all the research put into this and my conversations with Connor, definitely a believer they were 100% Tex-Green great job!!
Late but useful reply-
I found a site that has every page from almost every Sears (and JCPenny/Montgomery Ward) catalog going back to 1940. https://christmas.musetechnical.com/
I’ve looked through most of the 60’s and 70’s ones, LOTS of variations of coveralls and the pictures/descriptions aren’t always clear about which ones have snap collars and/or a seam on the middle back. I know some of the Perma-Prest have a middle back seam.
Has anyone ever found a verified picture of unwashed/new Tex-Green (with the original tag attached)?
I found a pair of brand new Generic label “Sears Coveralls” online and they’re not dark green, they’re not spruce green, they kind of look grey/green like Tex might be? But they’re definitely untouched and with the later tag, snap collar, single stitch on pocket unlike the Roebucks (which are also a darker green)
great job!!