I have a one-shot LARP coming up in a few months and the character I was given dresses sort of punk/metal, with some flexibility. Character is supposed to be physically imposing.
Anyone have pointers on where to start? I have a kickass modern black kilt with purple tartan kickpleats, which I think I’ll use as a foundation. What can I add on?
I’m thinking ear cuffs, a torn, vintage band t-shirt, and a denim jacket. Chunky black boots if I can find any that don’t use natural rubber in their soles or adhesive :p .
Limitations: I don’t have any piercings or tattoos, and I’m not getting them for this role. I’m allergic to latex, gold, and nickel. I don’t want to spend too much on something I won’t use again. Hair is currently shoulder length. I am a white non-binary millennial, but the character is of unset gender.
I’m also interested in store suggestions, especially for non-pierced ear and face jewelry. I’m drowned in options and I don’t know which are honest about their materials. I’m in the United States.
Punk on a budget? I can’t tell if this is a joke. Every punk I’ve ever known buys or steals from thrift shops, military supplies, and dumpsters behind clothing stores. It was all out of rejection of social norms and creativity of discarded materials. Duct tape, paint, spray paint, stencils, cardboard, safety pins, chains, ropes, needle and thread are all cheap. Egg whites or Elmers for hair spikes.
Not a joke, mostly concerned about allergies, and trying to figure out what to look for when I do make it to the thrift store.
edit: and when I’ve asked for costuming advice in other forums, I’ve gotten “go buy this $200 outfit from __” and I don’t have any interest in that.
Yah. Got it. Just remember what punk is. DIY. You can use anything. Just remember what D. Boon said. “Punk is whatever we say it is”. Only fools follow rules. Good luck.
Go to a thrift store like a real punk and find something cool & unique.
In my experience as a metalhead, punks want to look tough and flashy: spikes, strong colours, sturdy clothes, etc.
Metalheads want to look epic like Legolas (or, in the case if black metal, angry Legolas).
As said, thrift shops will have lots of stuff that fit either profile, or both. Just think about what you want your character to be like and have fun! There’s no fashion police, so you can’t really mess up.
Besides, lots of metalheads wear kilts to concerts and festivals, so that’s a good start. Add a black shirt and black boots and you’re done with the basic look.
This is for what? What is a one-shot LARP? Is this like D&D but with no dice?
Kind of, yeah. In this case, there are pre-written character sheets. You’re assigned a character by the GM based on a casting questionnaire.
Some games have dice, some don’t. Some involve hitting each other with foam swords or Nerf weapons, some don’t. It depends on what mechanics the game author wanted.
The game I’m going to play in is called a “theatrical-style larp”, meaning it’s more about portraying characters in a situation than about winning.
Update: outfit is now
- Black canvas kilt with tartan kick pleats
- Black denim jacket with holes and a “Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem” back patch (the thrift stores didn’t have many options for band shirts. My other option was a ska/reggae band. I was also tempted by a “I just freaking love ducks” shirt with a giant rubber ducky)
- Green “giant ass robots to kick in your face” T-shirt
- Maybe orange patches under the holes on the arms of the jacket, to make the holes more visible and keep me from catching my fingers in them
- Fake piercings
- Black comfy shoes I already own because I don’t want to risk sore or itchy feet for a game
Thanks, all! Next steps are figuring out a chain belt, or maybe doing something with the bright orange hemp rope I already own.
