How To Make A Comfortable Costume

[@LadyNieske]

Great tips! And yes, if we can pretend some latex ears make someone an elf, than we can ignore the glasses. I need mine to see!

[@MarisArmoury]

Yup, completely!

[@AzraelThanatos]

Also, with a lot of gear, you really want to wear them to the point of breaking them in. Same as with new boots, a lot of stuff requires some use to be comfortable.

[@jakobozias7613]

A very late comment but I'm new and binge watching the videos: regarding pocket access, something I loved about my Navy-issued raincoat is that both it and the removable winter liner allowed access to your pants pockets. The outer pocket had a slit just inside that let you stick your hand through, and the liner a corresponding hole. It made it easy to reach into your pants without needing to unzip it

[@MarisArmoury]

Ooh that sounds really practical! Should keep it in mind, who knows if it might come in handy one day.

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

That thing with the toilet aspect is really important, minor as it may seem. Right now, I am about creating a set of Star Wars Mandalorian armour. It is my second kit, and I am trying to use as much medieval strapping and mounting technology as possible. And I am very careful that it can be separated in the middle. All parts around the waist must be easily and quickly removable. Also, the pants have to be...able to be pulled down easily, without complicated removal of the tigh plate. Already during the construction, I am wearing the parts as they get added for longer periods of time. This way, I can detect any inconveniences or where things simply do not fit right or work. Now I can still modify, at a convention, I have to live with it (also not keen on doing any on-the-spot alterations). Great video as usual! You have such an interesting and creative channel.

[@MarisArmoury]

Thank you! And doing it like that, testing it out during construction is definitely the best way to go. That way you can spot problems as early as possible. On the spot alterations are never fun to do, they mean you have less time for actual con stuff!

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

@@MarisArmoury Yes, that is true. I am also trying to point ornamental items (e.g. I have to have two belts over each other - a source for slipping and sliding, thus permanent, annoying re-adjustment) in a way that is comfortable and secure. These are aspects you only notice and can change when you wear the costume and move in it. I also took a walk (luckily, I live in a very rural area). There is hardly anything that can be done about heat in a metal suit of armor, but at least I notice where plates chafe and thus need to be trimmed. I also got myself a large, woolen cloak. Maybe that can block the heat a bit, at least when standing in line during a con (don't know, at least it looks cool and gives a bit of a surprise effect).

[@MarisArmoury]

@@SandraOrtmann1976 Oh yes, stuff sliding or continuously moving around annoyingly is also somehting that you usually find out too late. Taking a walk in gear is a good one for that too! But, I do see not everyone has that luxury.

[@gweneverek6953]

For me the material I choose add also to the factor how comfortable it is. It may look great but it is e. g. sweaty because the fabric is a polyester blend or the straps don't hold up and break. I take inspiration how things were made back then and use e. g. a wool fabric (best temperatur regulation ever even with long sleeves in warm weather).

[@MarisArmoury]

Yes definitely! The fabrics can make all the difference, some stuff can also look warm, but still be cold to wear if it doesn't block wind.

[@jackiejames4551]

All these are good tips, and make a lot of sense. After all how can you have a good time if you are uncomfortable? You are one of the few who actually address the bathroom issue. Thank you.

[@MarisArmoury]

Thanks! It's one of those things not many people think about, but can make a big difference!

[@bladestormjones]

I've said it (more than) once. I'll say it again: No such thing as too many pouches. You never know what you might find... Lying around unattended. You just need to figure out where to leave them all.

[@MarisArmoury]

Hoard allll the stuff!

[@sachazalac5573]

As a wealthy merchant with an excessive amount of pouches, I like to leave all of them empty and put everything in my inner coat pouches. I absolutely love seeing the faces of pickpockets when their told that my pouches are empty.

[@bladestormjones]

@@sachazalac5573 The added bonus of a lot of pouches. Only you know what's in them. Though I can also say from experience that this can be awkward when you're unconscious and people are trying to find something in your pouches to help you.

[@EyeballsStudio]

#7: Make sure your shoes are comfortable! I once made the mistake of using rubber boots as a base for armored boots. It was a painful, agonizing experience.

[@MarisArmoury]

Oh yes absolutely, I guess it is said indirectly in #4 but yes! Your feet are pretty much the most important part to keep comfy.

[@Thelarper]

To those who think glasses shouldn't be worn on fantasy larp - the first wearable glasses were made in the 13th century, therefore absolutely in the timeframe of most fantasy settings! But if you're really nitpicky, I can't remember the merchant's name but there's one at the Drachenfest that sells historical frames for your glasses, I think he even make them for presciption lenses.

[@MarisArmoury]

I think the problem most people have is with the modern glasses, but yea, not everyone has the money to get historical looking prescription glasses. But interesting, I'll take a look at that merchant!

[@sparkusclark6176]

Good advice. Been doing larp for a bit now, but it's always good to listen to stuff like this for ideas I've not yet found/forgot :D

[@MarisArmoury]

Thank you! I try to mix more and less obvious tips so there is something new for most people.

[@Whitney_Sews]

Great tips! I don't LARP, but I do a lot of costuming and cosplay.

[@MarisArmoury]

Thanks! I think some tips would be more difficult for cosplay because you are tied to a specific picture, but apart from that, they can be applied to pretty much any costume you can design yourself.

[@CB-yg9yb]

Where did you get that tee shirt? Also, I think glasses are totally fine. We wouldn’t deny someone a wheelchair or other accessibility aid, so I don’t understand the hang up on people being able to see!

[@MarisArmoury]

The t-shirt was last years merch of the 'larp zomer festival' www.larp-platform.nl/zomer-festival/

[@ReinaElizondo]

Great tips!

[@DavideStaccoli]

nice tips, thanks!

[@dianethuillier3425]

Wearing the full costume for a few hours beforehand would have spared me soooo many uncomfortable situations in game! I tripped so many times on my hems, my dresses/skirts caught so many times in bushes... And for the bathroom issue, I can't manage to design costumes with which I won't struggle each time hahaha.

[@MarisArmoury]

Oh yes hems and cape lengths are a good one! I had the same thing with the ranger costume I made recently, the loose weave of the cape just kept getting caught up in bushes. And you somehow trip over hems a lot more in combat than with just walking around!

[@gweneverek6953]

Yes definitely. It took me some time to get used to long hems and capes. But now I love it for a costume. How about using skirt hikes in battle?

[@ThePageTurnerPT]

For the back scabbard, that's entirely why I'm making my own back scabbard

[@MarisArmoury]

Stuff that is made to your sizes with your weapons will always work best. But still, make sure your sword isn't too long to pull out of the scabbard!

[@ThePageTurnerPT]

@@MarisArmoury Are you familiar with Shadiversity? He came up with a design he called the shabbard that has a slit open on the majority of one side of the sheath. It's also lined with cloth so it won't slip out. Still working on it, but hopefully I'll have a functional one by mid-January

[@MarisArmoury]

Ah yes, I'm familiar with those. They will indeed work a lot better for the larger weapons!

[@JvdBos]

I've opinions about your opinions ;-) Nitpicking, really. But by and by large, I agree 😀

[@MarisArmoury]

Haha, I can imagine you have opinions about my opinions. I know you are one of the people that explicitly ignores some of these and I cannot disagree with it leading to some awesome results.

[@JvdBos]

@@MarisArmoury Hehehe, thanks. And, you know, suffering for the arts and all that ;-)

[@himonightbreeze]

Too many of my bathroom troubles are caused by my tunics and/or robes being too long. And it's just kind of rude some games haven't done something with their canon to allow glasses. Fortunately, I play a game that has, so even sunglasses of certain designs are allowed. I do know one lady that has in and out of play glasses. Plastic modern frames for OOP, and some bronze wire frames for IP.

[@MarisArmoury]

Yup, its what I have too, although I must say I love my in-game glasses so much I am starting to wear them more often too.

[@johnbarnett921]

For examples of the need for practicality and wearability, just watch Konosuba and look for the times that Kazuma tries to use "cool-looking" gear.

[@MarisArmoury]

Indirect anime recommendations under my videos!? Funny how hobbies can overlap ;)

[@johnbarnett921]

@@MarisArmoury Anime is the Uberhobby; you can relate it to absolutely anything.

[@MarisArmoury]

Oh absolutely! For me it was the gateway into the world of costuming and cosplay which eventually led me to start with larp as well.

[@johnbarnett921]

@@MarisArmoury Dungeons and Dragons was my gateway. I have not gotten to larp yet, but I did SCA for a while and still do Ren Faires. Also I've been a haunted house actor for the past 14 years. I've made plenty of impractical garb and armor over the years.

[@LiseFracalossi]

My biggest problem with glasses is that when I wear them to larp, they keep getting knocked off my face. Headshots aren’t even legal in the system I play in, but it still happens, and I guarantee if I have glasses they WILL get knocked off and possibly damaged. Hence: I always wear contacts. Much sympathy to those who can’t, though - I would never fault anyone for not wearing them. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that skirts/dresses aren’t comfortable for me. Long dresses make getting up from the ground difficult - I was always tripping on the hems. And I also had to deal with the dreaded “chub rub,” and at really hot summer events I had no desire to be wearing bike shorts or an extra layer.

[@MarisArmoury]

Glasses getting knocked of is indeed a thing, but I must say I haven't had it happen to myself yet, even though I am short and have had multiple accidental headshots of people aiming for shoulders next to me. If glasses fall, someone will just yell 'glasses!' and the battle gets stopped for a bit. But it doesn't really happen that often. And thanks for the mention of skirts and dresses, I am not a person who wears them often, and probably won't include them in costumes quickly, so thanks for those tips!

[@joshuaperry4112]

So youre telling me my wet-formed Thong is a bad idea?

[@MarisArmoury]

Well~ it might be a very suitable piece of clothing for a barbarian swimming pool larp.

[@lindymoore]

Go to sleep 3 or 4 am? I have no clue what you talk about 😅

[@MarisArmoury]

Nooo everyone is always nicely in bed at 10, right... right?

[@hermionegardener3796]

...hang on...Tip #4 is "Safety Goes First"? ...but not in your tip list...lol

[@MarisArmoury]

Hahah good catch! Never realised that.

[@stasianatanasov6294]

Me, my chainmail and my gambeson would like to disagree