What does the writer mean by "green fatigues"? [closed]

I already know the expression green envy or a green hand, but this is the first time I heard of green fatigues:

Everyone stares at him briefly, at his congealed Wheatenea-and-lint carcass, but no one breaks stride; and who knows how long it will be before finally two policemen have to come in and hold their breath and scrape him out of the gloom and into the bosom of the law, from which he will emerge with a set of green fatigues, at least, and an honorable seat at night on the subway bench.

(from the Kandy-Kolored-Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, by Thomas K. Wolfe)

In this context, fatigues are a type of clothing. This word is most commonly used to refer to military uniforms that are everyday wear, as opposed to the "dress" uniform worn on formal occasions. It can also be used for everyday-wear uniforms issued by other institutions; in this passage, I believe the writer is implying that this unfortunate soul will be issued a prison jumpsuit by the city jail.

"Green fatigues" simply indicates the color of the uniform; unlike your "green envy" and "green hand" examples, the color is not metaphorical. (This is Tom Wolfe we are talking about here, your confusion is understandable.) Someone who was familiar with the time and setting might recognize green as the uniform color used by a particular local jail or perhaps a short-term mental institution.