How to Use Costuming in LARP

Costuming is a huge part of Live Action Role Playing (LARP). Okay, now you all are going "Okay, Jen... You're ummmm... Brilliant? (Duh.)" But really, it's worth saying. After all, we could be sitting around a table rolling dice if we didn't want to put the effort into LARP, right? I'm glad you agree! So. I have some tips on what you can do to create whatever mood you want to with your characters.

1. Choose a signature costume piece. It doesn't matter what venue you're in, this will help you in several ways. It can suggest your character's age: an iPod would indicate someone fairly young, while an old-fashioned fedora would imply someone older. It makes your character more recognizable. A signature piece can also help you get into the character's head.

2. Go shopping! Hit all the thrift stores you can, and piece together something. Sometimes you might even surprise yourself with the little treasures you find that you can build an entire character around. Don't expect to find something every time, but you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars to put together a really neat costume - and it might even be neater if you don't, too.

3. Think background. Your character, whatever venue, is very likely to still have, or at least still be drawn to items and clothing from the place (or time period) that makes them comfortable. Use that! Remember in Back to the Future III, when Marty's great great grandfather (maybe there was just one great...) always wore an irish bowler hat instead of a cowboy hat? Also, if your character's ethnicity is a big part of him or her, then use jewelry or clothing to indicate that as well. Research it if you have to! If you play a Muslim character, then ladies can learn to tie a hijab. Men, wear two pairs of pants. If your character is from Asia, then add undertones into your costuming like a hairstyle or a crane print on a shirt. You don't have to throw together a formal kimono outfit to look authentic.

4. Makeup. This is especially for really strange looking characters, and any character with visible scars. Don't just cross your fingers and explain how you look, if you can avoid it. Show people. If you've got goat features, get yourself some horns and a little beard. If you're slimy, then get some Vaseline and put it on your face. (Gross yes, but the effect would be neat.) For scars, try Elmer's Glue. It gives the shiny effect without looking too terribly fake. Makeup for ladies can also be used to give a period appearance. There are lots of instructional videos on YouTube to get whatever look you might want, from Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's to putting your hair in Ingrid Bergman style victory rolls.

Those are just a few ways that you can make your character draw you and others into the game through costuming. Good luck and have fun!