So, this is a day late, and I apologize for the lack of updates. I'm encountering some keyboard issues that are forcing me to use a less than stellar dictation program-- this makes posting a little difficult.
So, in the spirit of new games, I want to talk about the procuring costumes for new characters. What sort of things do you make sure your character always has? Where do you shop for costume items? Or are your costumes made by hand? Where do you go for costuming inspiration? How do you help new players find costumes?
So, in the spirit of new games, I want to talk about the procuring costumes for new characters. What sort of things do you make sure your character always has? Where do you shop for costume items? Or are your costumes made by hand? Where do you go for costuming inspiration? How do you help new players find costumes?
For me it depends on the genre;
ReplyDeleteFor fantasy games it's usually a mix of my left over SCA garb, or a surcoat or similar garment usually over a compression shirt to keep the sun and ticks off. I'm a fan of surcoats and tabards for a couple of reasons. They don't trap too much heat, they can do a decent job of hiding mundane pants (I tend to wear black cargo pants because dear gods I need the pockets), and are easy to move around in. Also, they're relatively simple to make by hand, which I am learning slowly to do. Throw a cloak and some armor pieces over this and I generally think it comes out looking fairly decent for not too much money (less the armor, that can get pricey). Then again I'm pretty rough and tumble when it comes to boffer games, so I'm disinclined to get into the fancier types of garb I see some folks in because it'll just get trashed.
For steampunk and modern games I recommend the Salvation Army as well as army-navy stores. The former is good for cheap long coats and clothing you won't care about destroying, the later is good for modern looking pouches, tac-vests, and other equipment. You can assemble a pretty good modern-battle armor costume using a combination of tactical vests, protection pads (knee pads on the shoulders work well), and a helmet without spending much at all.
For things I always make sure my character has. First, I'm a big fan of pockets at LARPs, because I tend to carry a lot of stuff. Black BDU's I find hide pretty well under other costuming, and hold up better then most garb pants. A good strong belt is also helpful, one you can attach a variety of pouches and other equipment too. Amazon sells cheap ammo pouches which are pretty subtle if you don't want to go hunting for leather pouches. Cheap arrow quivers on Amazon can also have the bottoms chopped off to make decent boffer scabbards.
we learned, or rather Chris learned, the hard way-- he lost a bunch of treasure due to a makeshift belt/couch. I always try to wear pants with pockets now. I finally found a great larp bag at (for folks in the Cambridge area) utso Tibetan boutique-- it a lightweight, but sturdy, fabric bag decorated with tiny mirrors, and has both a zipper and Velcro. I love it.
DeleteHandy bags are awesome, though how useful they end up being depends on how you tend to play. As someone who tends to go racing towards trouble quite often, I've found that the fewer things that are hanging off shoulders, bouncing around, and otherwise threatening to get tangled up on boffer hilts or the rest of my ensemble, the better. The more things I have to put down/pick up when a fight starts, the more inconvenient things get, and anything that can slide around the shoulder or back can end up hindering you while running at inopportune times. I tend to prefer the pockets/pouch methodology as it tends to cut down on one's overall encumbrance.
DeletePouches! http://www.galaxyarmynavy.com/item-9009.asp
ReplyDeleteMy costuming primarily comes from friends of mine who will make them on spec. I usually describe a general idea and then they make it awesome. I feel bad for them. Sometimes I am anal retentive specific about what I want and sometimes I say "make it majestic and ethereal" and that's it. So really, amazing talent out there.
Costuming related amusing tidbit. In Madrigal the highborn Naporeans have a pretty distinctive style that lets you quickly tell where they are from. This is not by design, per se, we didn't all get together to plan it out. It's that 97% of our costuming was made by Gabrielle and Erin.
I'll echo surcoats. Love them so so much. I wish I could wear a belted surcoat with pouches in real life. One of the great things about a surcoat is that you occasionally get the action movie moment of the bottom swirling around your legs as you spin to engage a new foe. Epic.
"This is not by design, per se, we didn't all get together to plan it out. It's that 97% of our costuming was made by Gabrielle and Erin. "
DeleteHaha-- I had no idea. I figured it was some coincidence, or there was some style guide about which I was unaware.
I agree with Arcadinal and Mickey- bein able to carry stuff is important. If my costume doesn't have pockets, I make a point to either procure a bag (thrift stores are a good place to find them) or sew a simple bag out of the largest scraps leftover from making my costume. In theater style LARPs, GMs often give out yellow manilla envelopes with tons of paper and items inside. They're awkward looking and awkward to carry.
ReplyDeleteInstructions for a simple drawn-string bag for LARPers who sew.
Instructions for a simple tote for those who don't sew.
Instructions for a bag made of a simple square of fabric and nothing else but knot-tying. Super easy.
For general costuming, if I'm not sewing from scratch, I like to shop at thrift stores for something in the general correct color scheme, because then I can alter them without worrying about ruining them. (Who cares if you do? They're super cheap and you can always find more.) If I'm helping someone costume from scratch, usually last minute, I lend them a cloak to throw over any solid colored clothing- it helps people blend right in to most settings.
Inspiration usually comes from movies of the LARP's genre, and I LOVE the Costumer's Guide website. It's full of great reference photos to all of the movies with the coolest costuming.
(And by the way, here is a description of my favorites from all of the LARP costumes I've worn.)