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Post by Magpie Saegar on Jan 23, 2011 15:10:10 GMT -5
Hey all! I know you're not necessarily all about garb and characterization, but that's fine... I posted this to the Dag boards too. I'm looking for diverse input. Tell me what's okay, what's crap, and what could be added, changed, or removed to look better. Any advice on working hydra heraldry into it would be good too. Here's what I got. I'm kind of in a rut lately of thinking of what to do, so I'm going to be annoying and throw everything out here. I know it's not great...tell me what's bad, especially what needs to be changed the most. Also, if you can, tell me how to make it better. Head: The hat is mostly just for winter fighting. I'm also mostly finished with a chain coif to match the hauberk. I like the look of the helm only when I'm not wearing it. When it's not winter, I can just take the hat off. Something period and warm would be good too. Body: It's hard to see my tabard under the chainmaille. My black shirts only come down to my waist. I think the green CotH tabard looks great (it's normally wider, but I folded the edges in), but I'm not sure quite how to wear it over chain. I also had a nice white tunic, but it's old enough that it's falling apart. Chain: Chain is 14ga 3/8id galvy steel. Vinegar can take the galvy off to make it shiny, but then (I assume) I need something else to put on it. Should I add partial or whole sleeves? How far down should it go? I'm still working on it... Sleeves: How bad do the brown sleeves look? Should I take them off? I also have the bracer on the right. Hands: Barehand normally, but I've got leather work gloves I'm wearing for winter. I know you can't see them much... thoughts? Belt: Thin leather belt on left, thick leather (weightlifting) belt on right, cloth belt with two beltflags and a braid on it in both photos. Pants: My pants that I liked finally got to the point that I couldn't wear them, my handsewn thai fisherman pants keep ripping at the seems, and this is just an old pair of dress pants. I know it's not good enough. I'm open for suggestions of things to buy or make. Wrap pants? Hakama? Cloak: I don't have one yet. What type should I get? Rectangle of wool? I don't care if I am a particular period, but I would like to look good and cohesive. If I do move to something, I'd want it to be generi-viking. What do you think I should add, change, or remove in order to look better? Thanks all, -Magpie
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Peanut
Commander
El Conquistador?
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Post by Peanut on Jan 23, 2011 15:53:28 GMT -5
Helm: I don't like the chain across the face. It just looks goofy to me.
Body: The tabard looks good to me.
Chain: I like chain and it looks fine. If you don't think you need sleeve or a longer hauberk than don't worry about it. Also don't worry about the galvanize. It's really only for history buffs. Plus stripping galvanization has bad fumes.
Sleeves: I'm not a fan. Pick a nice long sleeve or short sleeve tunic and just wear it under it. Maybe some decoration on the sleeves but if it's under the chain it wont be seen.
Belt: The weightlifting belt looks alright but I can see the back where it's usually a dead give away. I tend to think people should stay away from weightlifting belts.
Pants: Straight leg pants are nice especially with a drawstring. They're also easy to put graves over.
Cloak: I don't see why you would need one for the field. If to keep you warm otherwise then a simple rectangle, square, or oval cloak is simple and fine.
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Post by Jarvis on Jan 23, 2011 18:48:50 GMT -5
Looks good. I'm thinking of doing something similar with chain, minus helm + short sleeves.
Helm chain: agreed that it looks a little strange.
Belt: I think it looks good. Even if it is actually a weightlifting belt, it's leather and doesn't look out of place unless there's a logo somewhere. Knowing you, I somehow doubt that's the case. I'd keep it!
Sleeves: I'm not a fan of the longer sleeves, however you do have the option of rolling them up and at least you can stay warmer when it's needed.
Gloves: if you need hand protection, do it!
Cloak: would look cool, but I'm no expert on that.
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Post by Magpie Saegar on Jan 23, 2011 19:08:40 GMT -5
I'm also in the process of ordering a natural colored linen tunic which will go down to my lower thighs. I'm kinda of trying to be... generic-anglo-saxon-esque. Plus an optional hydra tabard and valinor surcoat.
The helm is uncomfortable enough that I think I'm done with it for now. I'm planning to lose the sleeves too (they're not attached anyway). Possibly replace them with short chainmaille sleeves?
I'm leaning towards a wool rectangle cloak with a brooch clasp of some sort (not for fighting, just for standing around).
The weightlifting belt is solid black with some patterns and my name etched in to the back of it.
And you can't see it, but I've got a rhun belt flag and an iron crown beltflag in the back.
Thanks, though! -- it's good to hear what you two think. I'm excited about how things are coming together, and how cool it could look later.
---
Also, can you tell I've been in Dag country too long? I'm getting all focused on my looks.
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xavier
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International House of Hydra: X-Man
It?s like yoga, except I still get to kill something
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Post by xavier on Jan 23, 2011 21:06:58 GMT -5
I like everything minus the chain across the face. Everything else looks badass! I aspire for my garb to look this good
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Post by Magpie Saegar on Jan 23, 2011 21:15:48 GMT -5
Thanks man, but you should aspire higher than this! Is there any overall look you're going for? There's probably a better thread to look at for examples of good garb, but this might help: board.belegarth.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28301
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Peanut
Commander
El Conquistador?
Posts: 866
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Post by Peanut on Jan 24, 2011 0:07:14 GMT -5
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Salamander
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Into the fires of battle, unto the anvil of war!
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Post by Salamander on Jan 24, 2011 8:44:49 GMT -5
I think a pair of garb pants will help a bunch. I don't see much of a difference between wraps or haks, so I think what ever you are most comfortable in.
I do really like the sleeves. I like how the come to a point, though I think the would integrate a bit better with the outfit, if there was more of a similar brown elsewhere. Perhaps maybe replace the khaki fabric?
I agree with the no chainmail sentiment, as far as the helm goes. It doesn't seem to fit with the rest.
I like all the belt from the front, at least. You can tell it's a weightlifting belt from the way it widens in the back, right? Why not trim it down so the it is a uniform width all the way?
If you can't always wear a tabard, and have it look good, there are options. Belt flags, for one. You do have extra bit of fabric hanging down under your chainmail, it seems. Tack on a hydra symbol of some kind there, or anywhere else it might look good. Kayle has a nice little hydra on his tunic, that is much simpler than the actual Hydra symbol. Or wear the colors.
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Tails
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Post by Tails on Jan 24, 2011 11:36:29 GMT -5
Head: Like the hat, I agree about the chain.
Body, Chain, Sleeves, Hands and Pants::FAAAAAAANtastic
Cloak: I like the look you got going on there, I wouldn't add the cloak.
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Post by Brina on Jan 24, 2011 13:29:00 GMT -5
I would add a cloak only if you are going to be wearing it on cold night. Then if you do and want wool, I would also suggest fleece on the inside. Mine is black/grey wool on the outside and green on the inside. It's warm and looks nice. Tress made hers with a curtain from teh thrift store and fleece and it looks fantastic! As for shape, rectangle is always nice.
I love what you have posted for the rest!
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Post by Jarvis on Jan 24, 2011 14:42:27 GMT -5
If you can't always wear a tabard, and have it look good, there are options. Belt flags, for one. You do have extra bit of fabric hanging down under your chainmail, it seems. Tack on a hydra symbol of some kind there, or anywhere else it might look good. Kayle has a nice little hydra on his tunic, that is much simpler than the actual Hydra symbol. Or wear the colors. I didn't know ditching the tabard was an option. One of the reasons I was considering chainmail was because leather armor + tabard doesn't really work. Actually chainmail in general seems good because of garb flexibility. Anyway, the hydra tabard rocks socks, so if I can find a way to make it look good with new garb I'ma do it. Also Magpie, I like the leather pauldron strap + bracers. I might just shamelessly steal that idea too because I think it looks baller.
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xavier
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International House of Hydra: X-Man
It?s like yoga, except I still get to kill something
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Post by xavier on Jan 24, 2011 18:49:24 GMT -5
Thanks man, but you should aspire higher than this! Is there any overall look you're going for? There's probably a better thread to look at for examples of good garb, but this might help: board.belegarth.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28301Thanks I'll check it out! Edit: I've looked through the good larp pics thread before (and contributed to it..good stuff!) You have a very cool yet simple look going on. That's kind of what I strive for when I work on my own garb. Not really a specific look just better then what I currently have which if not for my tabard collection would be not much
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Salamander
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Into the fires of battle, unto the anvil of war!
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Post by Salamander on Jan 25, 2011 18:15:27 GMT -5
I'd like to do some sort of goblyn appropriate tabard at some point, or at least get the symbol painted somewhere. I definitely do not go anywhere fighting at an event with out at least making sure the colors are available. There is technically supposed to be a uniform 'standard', but I choose not to follow it, and would have a serious problem, should I be required to.
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Peanut
Commander
El Conquistador?
Posts: 866
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Post by Peanut on Jan 25, 2011 22:56:03 GMT -5
I was one of the last people it was "required" for.
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Post by Magpie Saegar on Jan 26, 2011 8:46:31 GMT -5
Oh, I've got the standard uniform and can/will still wear it at events when there are other hydra around. It's just that I live, what, 10 hours away from the nearest hydra? So I have other garb to wear at other times.
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