In contrast to authentic medieval clothing, which is based on clear historical guidelines, LARP clothing has greater freedom in the choice of style elements depending on the setting of the event. In addition to historical references, film costumes, costumes from computer games or completely free designs can also be incorporated into a LARP costume. There are no limits to creativity, as long as the costume exudes a certain degree of coherence in the end.
Clothing plays a significant role in successfully creating the ambience of any LARP event. It is therefore particularly important that the costumes of the attendees suit the setting of the event.
In LARPing, we usually don’t speak of costumes but of garments, to distinguish the clothing from disguises such as those worn at Carnival or on Halloween. While a costume for a party or Halloween is designed primarily to amuse, LARP garments belong—in a classic men’s and women’s fashion context—to a more upscale category, alongside suits and evening gowns. LARP garments are the clothes of the character whom you are bringing to life at a Live Action Role Play event—and that character can be as complex as one from a novel or a movie. These garments will be worn at various events over several years and have to withstand vigorous activity—such as showpiece fights—and harsh weather conditions.
LARP garments in the vicissitude of time
Thanks to an ever-growing LARP community, the quality of LARP garments has continuously improved. Whereas in the early days of the hobby, players used knitted sweaters to emulate chainmail and bed sheets as cloaks, today there is a wide range of affordable armor, tunics, cloaks, and dresses available; as a result, in LARPing mere party costumes lose acceptance and relevance. On the other hand, LARP garments can be used as a costume for Halloween or theme parties, where, thanks to the higher quality of materials and manufacturing, they tend to really stand out from the crowd.
Your LARP garments for a theme party
For party themes such as Vikings, elves, or anything medieval, you can of course come as you are in your usual LARP garments. Should you try your hand at crafting, however, you can certainly have at it. Be it a coffee bath, boot polish, or artificial blood to appropriately modify a dress to play a zombie maid, or woven laces and embroidery to depict a nobleman—the LARPing community provides creative resources for all kinds of ideas.
