Well, it’s that time of year (at least here in the New Jersey) — summer and prime LARP season! Here are some costuming, clothing, and camping tips for LARPing in the hot weather!
If you’re attending a new game such as Seventh Kingdom IGE, check out the costume and makeup requirements. Many players do a wonderful job with the makeup, but it can be a bit bothersome in hot weather.
Always bring extra socks, and an extra pair of shoes as well. Weather and temperature can change, and it’s always important to keep those feet clean and dry no matter what.
If you do wear makeup or prosthetics for the game, be ready to re-apply.
Water
Bring and/or drink plenty of water. You don’t want to become dehydrated.
Chat with experienced LARPers, campers, and people who have been in the military. They have a lot of useful knowledge.
Dress in layers if possible with your costume. Sometimes it gets cold at night, warm during the day.
Be conscious of wildlife and surroundings, including ticks and other nasties.
Do you have more suggestions? Please comment below!
I have noticed that in the summer women tend to have a lot more options then men do.
While both men and women have lighter shirts, pants and socks they can wear women also have summer dresses, skirts, knickers (that’s showing my age) – knee length pants for those of you that don’t know, and a myriad of ‘fantasy inspired’ wear that can be adorned for the purposes of LARPing.
Therefore, I’m going to focus on the men here for a minute.
Guys, if you are sweating your *you know what* off then it’s time to dress to suit the weather.
Loose cargo pants are often made in a heavier fabric to accomodate the “utility” function of the cargo pants. Turn to a lighter fabric by wearing wrap pants or something similar.
For a low cost option I picked up some black “nurse pants” at Walmart for around $12. They are light material, black (so they go with anything) and have a draw string waist to accomodate for the in-genre/period look.
For a more distinct look you could go with a pirate pant.
As for tops, I wear a T-Shirt under EVERYTHING. It helps whisk the sweat away, and keeps all my other clothing from sticking or worse yet – rubbing.
Try to go with a baggier shirt but please, please ensure that it fits. Going a few sizes up to gain some extra room doesn’t do you any good – it just sags in all the wrong places for airlfow and heat management plus it does you the disfunction of looking terrible.
Again, go with a lighter fabric in a baggy style. If you are not sure what will keep you cool take a few tips from our egyptian friends (they deal with the heat all year). Cotton is your friend, and if you take note of what they wear it’s baggy or sparse.
I’m not much into people showing skin at a LARP (if I want to see your skin, I’ll ask) so I recommend something functional and in genre, but something that keeps things at a PG-13 level.
Of course if you want to get 2 birds in 1 shot you could get a set such as this pirate set which is exactly the kind of baggy light weight clothing that works for summer.
All the best,
Kevin Tjia
Kevin,
Thanks for that very helpful reply. I didn’t really think about it, but it is definitely harder for guys to dress for the warm weather. I think ladies sometimes have a hard time dressing warm enough in the winter without hands down wearing men’s clothes. One trick I use in the winter is to wear a skirt with an elastic band so I can wear sweats and leggings under the skirt.
Unless a lady is wearing armor, she tends to have a much easier time layering, too.
Tara
one word: Kilts