Mr Rawles,
I found A.Y.’s suggestions to be very astute and workable, and wish to add a few of my own.
Underclothes: fencers over the years have pressed the bounds of stab- and slash-proof clothing. There are a number of SPECTRA fencing undershirts, that are of the same quality, if not better, as LEO anti-knife gloves. They also have the added bonus of being made with the express purpose of being stab proof. That said, still hurts like the dickens when one really gets gut stabbed. Having worn one in 90 degree sun, I can attest that not only are they comfortable but do a decent job keeping one cool.
Shoes: I wholeheartedly endorse his suggestion that on wearing steel-toed sneakers. I have worn these exclusively for about 12 years, and they have saved me more than once. Sears carries them, usually in the $30-40 range. They generally last me around 2 years, and I do a lot of hiking and running in them.
Jackets: motorcycle jackets do wonders for basic protection. Often either full leather (think motorcycle gangs) or leather-kevlar combination, most rated in the range of 100 feet of abrasion resistance. That’s sliding on asphalt at 50+ mph. Many combo jackets come standard with padding in the spine and elbow areas, as well as have special pockets for more protection. Great for protests and random street brawls as well. Caveat: when purchasing leather only, make sure it is not fashion weight leather. eBay is especially bad for listings of motorcycle style jackets that offer minimal protection.
Motorcycle gear is especially useful for personal protection. I was once the victim of an attempted robbery while fully geared (helmet, gloves, jacket, 511 tactical pants and steel-toed sneakers) on my bike. I was blind-sided and knocked off the bike, and the attackers proceeded to kick and hit me with sticks. While bruised, the above gear kept me from suffering more than minimal damage, and allowed me to fend them off.
In closing, I hope these personal anecdotes and suggestion help expand this often overlooked but extremely important aspect of self defense. – R.I.