There are so many options & opportunities for making a LARP costume. We’ve got some LARP costume tips & tricks to help you get started with Underworld LARP. We’ll also talk about weapons and general physreps.
Don’t forget to read our New Player Guide here, alongside our article on how to make a LARP character.
Costuming Expectations
While Underworld is a medieval-based LARP, first time players aren’t expected to be fully costumed. If you haven’t invested in a costume, it’s recommended that you wear neutral brown or black garb, and avoid modern adornments (like large brand names, visible zippers, and blue jeans). If you can add a few extra costume pieces that fit the theme, like a cloak or shawl, then all the better.
Making a LARP costume with awesome armour
Many players make their own armour and costuming. This is strongly encouraged and brings realism and enjoyment to all players of the game, not to mention personal satisfaction! Your costume, like your character, can be as elaborate as you want. If you are interested in making your own costume or armour but need some help, there is a section on the Out of Game (OOG) forum dedicated to props and costuming, and many experienced players are happy to help out.
Underworld’s Props and Costuming forum: http://www.underworldlarp.ca/mybb/forumdisplay.php?fid=7
Some tips when designing your outfit:
Keep in mind that Underworld doesn’t have a “quiet time”, and that if what you’re wearing becomes wet, it will stay wet until the end of event unless you have something dry to change into. Remember also that waterproof fabric doesn’t breathe, so if you start to sweat it will stay inside your clothing. Sweating during combat while the weather is cold means you’ll likely get chilled once combat slows down.
Cotton is a good overall fabric due to its breathability, ability to absorb water (sweat!) and how quickly it dries. Polar fleece is good for warmth as well as in the rain, and will dry out quickly. Wool is a denser fabric, and doesn’t breath as well, but will stay warm even when wet (if you don’t mind the smell and itch) and takes a long time to dry out.
It’s you against nature
As with any outdoor sport, the weather can turn on you in an instant. Dress like you’ll be outside for the entire night and you should be alright. Wear layers, so that you can take some off if you get too warm, and put them back on if it the temperature drops. Everyone in medieval themed movies seems to wear a cloak; this is for good reason. Cloaks can keep you quite comfortable depending if you close the front, throw it over your shoulders or let it blow in the wind. They also help hide out of period clothes if you’re stuck wearing your street clothes to stay warm, and are even comfortable to sleep under if you sleep with the trees for a night.
The Underworld LARP crafters group is a great resource: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UWcrafters/
More basic costuming suggestions: http://www.underworldlarp.ca/mybb/showthread.php?tid=10066
More cold weather clothing suggestions: http://underworldlarp.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/primer-to-cold-weather-survival/
Making a LARP costume means having awesome weapons
As a new player, we recommend you rent a boffer weapon for your first game. This is a free service provided to allow new player to experience the game, without the stress of relying yourself to craft a weapon for your first game, which may face rejection at the hands of a safety marshal.
However, if you’re intent on crafting your own boffer weapons before attending your first game, there are some tutorials available:
Building a Boffer Weapon: http://www.underworldlarp.ca/mybb/showthread.php?tid=1424
Arrow Construction: http://www.underworldlarp.ca/mybb/showthread.php?tid=1536
Keep in mind that when crafting any boffer weapon, it must pass safety at Logistics. Here is a list of the credentials a Weapon Marshal uses when determining whether or not your boffer is safe:
http://www.underworldlarp.ca/mybb/showthread.php?tid=60
Tips for creating safe boffer weapons:
Use adequate closed cell foam around the PVC core of your weapon so you can’t feel the pipe
The purpose of a thrusting/pommel tip is to prevent the pipe from coming through the end of the weapon. You shouldn’t be able to feel the pipe at all through the tip of the weapon.
Make sure you’ve taped the foam directly to the PVC using double sided tape, or backwards rolled duct tape. The foam shouldn’t slide on the piping.
When duct taping the outside of the weapon, run tape down the length of the weapon (from tip to handle). Don’t wrap duct tape in a spiral around the weapon, this compresses the foam into something akin to granite.
Don’t add weight inside the piping. If the weight becomes dislodged, it immediately becomes a safety issue.