Larp kit wishlist
This spring, I'm going to be NPCing two boffer larps (Shadows and Cottington) and PCing one (Fifth Gate/Silverfire), so I need to upgrade my larp kit. Well... "need." It's always a relative term. But here's my list:
Better thermal underwear, preferably ones that don't have logos on them. My LARP characters do not need to be sponsored by Duofold or Underarmor. Right now my thermal "blacks" are a Duofold shirt I got when I was working for the ADK in 2000, and a pair of thermal fleece leggings my mother gave me equally long ago. There's nothing wrong with the leggings, but the shirt has two problems: one, the honking big embroidered ADK logo on the chest (and a Duofold logo on the sleeve, though I can probably black that out with a marker); two, the zippered neckline with a standup collar, which doesn't work well under many costumes. (But is great for sleeping in!)
I've been eyeing WinterSilks, which are expensive, and also bring up some difficult choices. Their silk long underwear come in three weights, three colors (black, white, and nude), and a variety of necklines. I think the most versatile addition to my larp wardrobe would be a midweight crew-neck shirt, but I can see other weights and collars being useful conditionally. My planned Fifth Gate costume could benefit from a black or white turtleneck, for example. The heavyweight ones could be useful for the Fifth Gate crossover event, which is scheduled for December 2015 (!)
I could also go with less expensive options--stuff from Dick's or Cabela's ("redneck REI") or from department stores. *shrug* We'll see.
A cloak. Black and warm as a first priority. Walking around the campsite with my BRIGHT RED trench coat is kind of distracting. I can probably make something like this. I think my Circle of Enlightened Invocation focus is going to actually be a half-cloak, so this would be something that can go under that, weather permitting. Given enough time, I might like a lighter cloak, or one made of waterproof tablecloth material (like bess has), but I think a simple one is a good start.
Boot covers. There's nothing wrong my wearing my hiking boots around, except for the fact that they look somewhat modern. Having some sort of spat or boot cover that blends with the brown leather and extends up my leg would certainly make it look fantasier.
Some sort of belt and pouches to carry my weapons/focus/packets/other goodies. There are a few Butterick patterns that might work for that; I'm just waiting for them to go on sale. Also, there are also lots of leatherworkers on Etsy...
I've debated about more period-looking light sources than my Maglite. I looked into battery-powered replica hurricane lamps for Shadows, but they cast light up rather than to the sides, which makes them less useful. As an NPC mostly I don't care about this, and as a PC light sources are often moderated by the game, so I'm not sure how important this is.
Better thermal underwear, preferably ones that don't have logos on them. My LARP characters do not need to be sponsored by Duofold or Underarmor. Right now my thermal "blacks" are a Duofold shirt I got when I was working for the ADK in 2000, and a pair of thermal fleece leggings my mother gave me equally long ago. There's nothing wrong with the leggings, but the shirt has two problems: one, the honking big embroidered ADK logo on the chest (and a Duofold logo on the sleeve, though I can probably black that out with a marker); two, the zippered neckline with a standup collar, which doesn't work well under many costumes. (But is great for sleeping in!)
I've been eyeing WinterSilks, which are expensive, and also bring up some difficult choices. Their silk long underwear come in three weights, three colors (black, white, and nude), and a variety of necklines. I think the most versatile addition to my larp wardrobe would be a midweight crew-neck shirt, but I can see other weights and collars being useful conditionally. My planned Fifth Gate costume could benefit from a black or white turtleneck, for example. The heavyweight ones could be useful for the Fifth Gate crossover event, which is scheduled for December 2015 (!)
I could also go with less expensive options--stuff from Dick's or Cabela's ("redneck REI") or from department stores. *shrug* We'll see.
A cloak. Black and warm as a first priority. Walking around the campsite with my BRIGHT RED trench coat is kind of distracting. I can probably make something like this. I think my Circle of Enlightened Invocation focus is going to actually be a half-cloak, so this would be something that can go under that, weather permitting. Given enough time, I might like a lighter cloak, or one made of waterproof tablecloth material (like bess has), but I think a simple one is a good start.
Boot covers. There's nothing wrong my wearing my hiking boots around, except for the fact that they look somewhat modern. Having some sort of spat or boot cover that blends with the brown leather and extends up my leg would certainly make it look fantasier.
Some sort of belt and pouches to carry my weapons/focus/packets/other goodies. There are a few Butterick patterns that might work for that; I'm just waiting for them to go on sale. Also, there are also lots of leatherworkers on Etsy...
I've debated about more period-looking light sources than my Maglite. I looked into battery-powered replica hurricane lamps for Shadows, but they cast light up rather than to the sides, which makes them less useful. As an NPC mostly I don't care about this, and as a PC light sources are often moderated by the game, so I'm not sure how important this is.