Costuming questions

[SengaKitty]

So, I've just recently started LARPing, and I believe I did fairly well on my costuming for my first try, but I'd love some ideas. My character is a barbarous gypsy (meaning more aggressive than most gypsies, I fight with a quarter staff etc). We actually go out into the fields and woods for a full weekend for this. I need some ideas for gypsy costuming that's easy to make or put together, as well as gypsy make up. Any and all ideas welcome!

[MaggieTheCat]

I'll make some chainmail jewelry/tiaras/handflowers/footflowers/bracers for you if you'd like. I'd offer to do a whole chainmail vest or bra, but I've never done a job that big before. My husband used to LARP, and they had rules that if someone actually worse leather or chainmail armor, they'd take less damage when being attacked in combat.

Other ideas...hm. I'm inclined to say something with furs and feathers for a more barbarian look. Maybe feathers in your hair and furs draped down your back or hanging from a belt?

[SengaKitty]

Oh wow! Anything chainmail would be amazing How much would you charge? Can you IM me?

[AccountingDrone]

try this place for some ideas ... beware the fantasy bellydance music though.

Personally I love this costume ...

[Rapscallion]

Looks good, but would you trust it against leaves and mud?

Rapscallion

[LillFilly]

Just remember, a lot of those costumes look great, but some are dry clean only, and if you get hit in the clothing by spells/weapons you take the damage (cloaks can be a liability!)

I'd suggest salvation army/goodwill. I've seen some CRAZY gypsy outfits come out of there. In 'Alliance' (formerly NERO Alliance), the gypsies (they call themselves Romani) like colors. One girl had a skirt made out of different scarves. One guy has a pair of pants that we've kindly told him "It looks like Martha Steward threw-up on them...and then rolled in it!" Even taking 2-shirts or 2-skirts and sewing them together strip by strip works. Ask people at the game where they got stuff; maybe you can barter as in, they make you a costume, you make them something else you're good at making.

Hope you have fun!

[AccountingDrone]

Looks good, but would you trust it against leaves and mud?

Rapscallion

not my problem, I just displayed it as one I particularly liked =)

And the other mention of shopping in thrift shops is good - I saw someone take a rather stout cotton merry widow style girdle/bra combo and trace around it on brocade and make a cover for it to make a quicky wench bodice for halloween =)

[SengaKitty]

Thanks for all the awesome ideas! I've put a few skirts together already, and luckily have one of those belly dancing skirts in BRIGHT blue (almost turquoise) with the coins sewn on, though it was cheaply made and thus is losing coins left and right (this skirt gave me the nickname Jingles #9 by A who is discussed in another thread).

I have thought of hitting up good will etc, and actually did get one or two of my skirts there. Any idea for shoes? My sandals are great and all, but after dark, the grass gets dewy and cold and by bed time my feet were so cold they hurt.

[Magpie]

Just how rough is your terrain, and how good are your knees? You might want to consider character shoes. They look really fancy and period and everything, but I can run in them. Or I could if my knees were better. I wouldn't want to wear the ones I use as dress shoes somewhere rough, because they'd scratch up, but I'm fairly sure they'd be up for it.

[SengaKitty]

The terrain is pretty rough and my knees are pretty bad from years of working horses and other random injuries. I was thinking a pair of ballet flats may do well, looking at my budget, the comfort they offer, and how easy it is to move in them, at least until i can afford a good pair of moccasin boots

[Elspeth]

do you have long skirts or are you wearing pants? You might try boat shoes if you can't seem them under your skirt. Or could you make a cover that could go over ked like shoes.

[42_42_42]

This website has a lot of varied interesting stuff, flowy skirts, peasant shirts, jewelry and even some shoes.