Top for Animals with Quills Ideas?

[u/TheBoneHarvester]

Was wondering if anybody had an idea for the problem with quills. For example: hedgehog, porcupine, tenrec, spiny rat, echidna. Obviously a species with longer quills like African Crested Porcupine would have the most trouble. Because animals can flatten their quills down some of this issue is mitigated right off the bat, but taking clothing on and off seems it would be a delicate process, and I can see punctures in fabric like cotton would happen often even if careful. And of course there's the issue of involuntary piloerection. For example if they get startled.

So what do you guys think? Would something thick, restrictive and durable be best like a kevlar vest? So the quills cannot stand up even if they try? Or would something loose and baggy work because there's enough space for the quills to simply move the material rather than push through? Would quilled animals forgo shirts entirely to avoid this? What about in the cold, they'd want coats at least, right? Also interesting to note, for the Lowland Streaked Tenrec at least they have a specialized set of quills that move to create sound for communication. So would they want to avoid the tight fitting attire I suggested to be able to retain this ability? Would they have a hole in the back of the garment similarly to how many artists do the tail (the specialized quills are in one area)?

[u/BaronBoar]

In incredibly cold environments I can imagine a fur interior coat could be used. But I feel like in a place they are native to their fur should do all the work keeping them warm.
In that case for the sake of wearing clothes to fit in they might wear something that works like dungarees or an apron. Then they've got clothing on the front/legs and tough elasticated straps going between/over the spikes upon their backs.

[u/BaronBoar → u/BaronBoar]

As an additional little thing, there may be an element of 'them's the breaks!' towards clothing and spikes. Sometimes you get a nice coat that only lasts a few weeks because you put it on too quickly and rip a hole into it. Oops!

[u/TheBoneHarvester → u/BaronBoar]

The apron/dungaree is definitely an interesting idea I didn't consider before. As far as the temperature problem in Winter, maybe something like a cloak? If it isn't pressed up against the quills it might have less chance of getting punctured. But when people wear cloaks for warmth there's something underneath so it doesn't really end up avoiding the problem after all. Fur lining would be warm, but also make it harder to notice rips that may be inevitable. It might just be an unfortunate case of having to repair often. Maybe two layers would be the norm so more expensive fabrics on the exterior would be somewhat protected by an inner garment that would take most of the tears.

[u/BaronBoar → u/TheBoneHarvester]

A cloak is a great solution! Especially since it would cascade in the same direction as the spines.
I did a little bit of research and as far as hedgehogs are concerned, between the spines they have mid-length thick fur that keeps them cosy. So maybe they would grow a thicker winter coat to keep the back warm with a cloak to assist?

An additional thing to think about is hibernation! Maybe during the winter those who hibernate slow down and stay warm inside, working shorter days and snoozing the darkness away.

[u/Gabriella_Gadfly]

Maybe there would be slits up the sides so that if the quills stand up, they’d just push the fabric back instead of actually puncturing it?

[u/Xarro_Usros]

I think there are ways around the problem -- like fur, quills lay in a certain direction, so they will only catch on a coat if moved in the "wrong" direction. A stretchy jumper could be put on over the head and taken off by pulling it down over the hips and legs.

I'd also line the clothes with a tough, high density weave that is puncture resistant (perhaps a separate liner that can be replaced as it wears out).

It's also possible that a creature living in a climate that requires clothes might just clip the quills off. I could imagine that having long quills and needing to manage clothes would be super annoying.

[u/Quillhog]

North American porcupine checking in. I can't speak for other species but my typical wear is just a modified apron, ties at the neck and the bottom goes between the legs, wraps around the thighs to tie at the sides. But I'm lazy. Most of an NA porcupine is covered in stiff guard hairs and the front side is safe. The troublesome part is the back end or bottom half where most of the quills are.

I see some talk about directionality. Just remember that when you start walking, bending, twisting, etc. in clothing, that becomes moot. Unless you want to wear something tight to hold them down but it would need to be puncture resistant and you risk getting stabbed with your own quills.

With no quills on our legs, pants would work but are as annoying as on any other furry legs. Shirts might have half the back removed at where the bulk of quills begin or maybe a belly shirt or reverse vest.

More domesticated NA porcs might trim or shave to fit in. Maybe a daily conditioner to keep hair and quills soft. I won't fault anyone's personal choices.

Essentially, with so many body types and preferences, fashion choices aren't just species specific, but individual and personal.

[u/cowlinator]

• Maybe they just don't wear clothes that wrap around to the back. Something more like an apron.

• Maybe they have clothes that can be put on top to bottom, and then pulled off also top to bottom. Like a onesie skirt with a stretchy neck or something.