Wednesday 1 October 2014

Just how important IS the kit in lrp?

Brilliant article by Caz on his blog - Larpers Bazaar
larpers bazaar

I have to concur about the importance of kit and background scenes for my immersion. It does NOT have to be expensive kit though, learn to use a sewing machine and get some patterns off the web and you have all you need to be believable. 

I am sometimes dismayed when I see that a player has spent a lot of money on bad taste black studded armour (my opinion of course) and then pairs this with black jeans a bad shirt and the latest bad kit - a "faux fur" waistcoat. The overall impression of being in character could have been more cheaply gained by skipping the pricey armour and buying a good tunic trews and belt and maybe a hood...but the shinies of armour and weapons must bear a terrible lure!

I applaud Dumnonni for being the first to produce a guide to what you could and could not wear at their events, this was years ago now. It has led to their dark ages village scene looking exactly as it should. Some events have never limited kit in any way,  very much to their detriment I think.

I am reminded of a recent discussion board where a new player posted a pic of his mainly good kit and a "dysabone" jacket on. When folks asked why he insisted he loved the coat, despite many voices to the contrary. And I actually saw him at the event In that very coat! Takes all sorts in LRP  and thankfully there are events for all of us
Rights Roy Smallpage -  Caz =GOOD KIT


See page 11 here for BAD kit in the form of Damien the Destroyer! Dumnonni Crew Guide

3 comments:

  1. Horses for courses. I'd count myself in with the importance of kit being high on the list. It all come down to immersion for me. There is always the counter argument - that some people must have much better imaginations than us... humourous, maybe but there is actually something to be said about been inclusive and just embracing the game with like-minded people regardless of aesthtics that shouldn't be overlooked

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  3. At some of the Western events you can see two trends: One towards movie-style outfits and another towards historical accuracy. The two are not always the same and not always exclusive, since some film productions have gone to great lengths to look like period dramas and others don't worry about it. Of course, the old request for 'no line-dancing outfits please' still applies.

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