Initially when I first started researching the various nations my first choice of nation were the Varushka however for a while after that for various reasons I leaned strongly towards the Brass Coast people. However in light of certain cultural restrictions (like the cultural ban on use of lots of whites, creams or blacks etc) I’m not so certain anymore. I really like costume aspects from both the Brass Coast and the Varushka looks so I was wondering if anyone here can provide pictures of the Varushka look which they feel defines the Varushka look well?
Thank you for your time and any help is appreciated ^_^v .
I am not at a PC so am struggling to link, but bold, bright colours are a strong Varushkan look. Royal blue and strong red abound. A hat is something that will really mark you out as Varushkan (it’s probably the most distinctive part of my own kit).
Leg wraps on your lower legs are also good (and very practical on the mud!).
My first port of call was Jo Perridge’s photos, as she takes lovely photos and also plays in Varushka, which means we get featured a bit more than other nations. (facebook.com/jo.perridge/me … 423&type=3)
What I take away from Varushka is strong colours, fur trim, embroidered ribbon trim, general embroidery around necklines and cuffs and some kind of fur-edged hat or a head scarf.
The wiki (as Mark linked to) has more details but those are the things that, to me, mark someone as Varushkan; pick a couple of those to aim for and the rest of the look will kind of fall into place.
Not so much needing examples but rather advice…looking through Rus or Slavic style costumes and outfits, finding trousers for women seems to be quite difficult. Any advice on where to look (I’ve tried a lot of the well-known LARP websites without much luck) without having to pay double the cost to ship from the US?
If you are looking at the truly traditional costumes (which are gorgeous), it will be difficult because of the gender divide. Because Empire doesn’t have the same divide it’s totally OK to use men’s trousers if they will fit your body shape.
Hero pants are fine if you don’t mind the style (they don’t suit me but they do other people).
Harem pants could work as long as the crotch isn’t dropped too low (because practicality is key!) and they aren’t too flimsy.
Plain coloured cotton or linen trousers will work too.
Don’t forget that if you have leg wraps (very Varushkan!), tall boots, a long tunic, a skirt or an apron (all solid choices) then very little of your trousers will be visible. As long as they are made of a decent weight fabric and of an in-character colour then all will be well.
Horse dressage leg wraps have been recommended by others; they are fleecy so they are warm, they mould around your leg really well, and they are water and mud resistant. If you make your own aim for long ones (3-4m). We made a couple of pairs of 2m wraps and ended up sewing two together. it’s amazing how fast the fabric gets used us when you get going.
If you can get a bit of braid/trim to then wrap around your wraps it deflects attention away from the wraps and trousers and onto the decoration too.
I’m afraid I’ve not bought much kit - we tend to make or charity shop - so I’m afraid I can’t give you any specific tips on shops, sorry.
I’ve been pinning lots of possible Varushka stuff at uk.pinterest.com/michaels2290/v … spiration/ to see how various outfits/ patterns might work together, or just for things to consider (or get people to make for me ).
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