$1000 LARP COSTUME HAUL 2021! - Armstreet Clothing Try-On 

Mark: "What's that bit, your lower leg, the squishy bit..." Me: "CALF CALF CALF" Mark: "Your hamstrings!" Me: "..." Never change, Mark. xD

Oh I think I can help here! Basically, women's and men's clothes are fashioned differently so the best way to take them off is different too. A women's top or a dress without a zipper is easiest to take off by crossing your arms in front of your chest and grabbing the bottom at the sides, then lifting upwards until your arms are over your head (yes the garment will be inside out) and then taking your head out along with one arm (the other holding on to the bottom of the garment still!). For a dress you hike the skirt up first until it's about hip level before doing the arms-cross thing. Hope this helps! I will try and find a video or diagram and put on twitter for you!

For people who want to try making their own things, cloaks are a great place to start! It's basically a square with another square for the hood. You can find lots of tutorials online, Rachel Maksy recently did one. If you want to try a mock up get some old sheets and use those, or if you want a solid color you can use fabric dye and have a finished piece! That's bare bones for cloaks, you can always upgrade whatever pieces you want i.e. add a lining, more expensive material like velvet, add a metal clasp.

A "tent stuff" video would be fun!

I'd love to see a video of what kit/costume you'd buy as a starter set for each empire nation. Both masc and femme!

1) this is fantastic, I hope you keep doing vids like this. Agree with other comments that a midrange one would be nice, also one for weapons/armor/gear. 2) that linen undershirt actually looks surprisingly historically accurate (the sleeves are set different, but other than that). Historically speaking it's supposed to be thin - it's not for warmth because it's underwear. The linen will get softer the more you wash it, when you wear it it will wick sweat and body oils away from both you and your outer clothes (so you can wash your underthings and not everything else), and if you take care of it it will last for ages. Historically one would wear a tunic or kirtle over the smock, under a coat or surcoat. Maybe not what you want for larp or cosplay, but as a piece of historical costume I'm very impressed by it. 3) there really are medieval paintings of women taking off their kirtles just how you were doing with the dress! It's not historical in any other way, though quite pretty. I would recommend loosening the side laces fully when putting it on or off, but without modern closures over the head is the only way I'm afraid. Also, because the fit is so tight it might be easier to add any boob stuffing after the dress is on if possible. The side lacing won't likely be strong enough for any body shaping, it's just to help the dress conform to your shape. And so you can loosen it after a big meal. 4) I admire and appreciate your gender inclusivity. Your femme looks continue to blow me away. Keep it up!

If you do another similar video, you should try for a middle-ground where you get good quality basic kit for as little money as possible, just as a demonstration that LARP doesn't have to be super expensive (though it's always going to be a bit expensive) Also, I'd re-sole those boots before wearing them in Anvil.

You are precious! I love how you do these videos. You are inclusive to different kinds of people and the ways they wanna enjoy costumes and that's awesome! I love the silly stuff and sadly, yes sometimes thats the only way one can struggle out of a dress. Which is why personally, I wouldn't buy a fitted dress if it doesn't have a zipper or any other kind of closure. I would like to see you do a video about accessorizing. Not just with jewelry but also props. What kind of fun items can elevate your costume and maybe even add to your character? Love what you do!

Looking forward to another one! Really enjoy these types of videos from you Mark!

Dang, buddy...you can really rock that femme look! What a great video! Thanks!

Loved this! I'm most interested in tent stuff and how to make practical necessities workout aesthetically but armour and weaponry would be grand as well as more options for good quality clothing. If your wallet can stand it I'd very happily watch you do something like this with general clothing again at a different shop.

$60 on a clasp....I’m not gonna allow myself to feel guilty about my larp purchases again 😂😂😂

I don't have that dress, but I have others from Armstreet and this is almost exactly how I take my dresses off at Empire. If its muddy at the same time, its horrible. I have a designated spot in my tent for muddy dress pile. Loved this video and seeing the stuff you've bought! Idea for your next video, you've done the cheap wish stuff and the "off the rack" expensive option - have you thought about looking at a completely custom outfit for when you really want to splash out!

Funny thing is: if you look at medieval manuscripts people took off their dresses exactly the same as you :D

MISSED YOU!!! got into larping, unfortunately right at the start of the [andemic but i love seeing ppl still making vidss for it still!!

This was amazing, and I loved the photo shoot sections! The Lady Hunter dress is absolutely gorgeous!

Taking off tight dresses without closures is always a struggle. As someone else has said you can try to get it off by hiking the skirt up to your waist, crossing your arms in front of you, and flipping it inside out over your head. If you are wearing makeup however while taking it off beware that your face will likely press to the outside of the garment which may not be ideal.

Great video, its been a joy seeing you make content out of high rollers (although thats always a great joy aswell)

Man, you put that Viking coat on to show it off and it was just instant Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III vibes.

Thank you for this showcase! I've been wanting to buy something from Armstreet, and it's great to not only see their pieces, but get some commentary from someone who's tried them on. I love that you also got a dress sample (and rocked it!).

Love the LARP videos! So many people get to explore LARP because of you. Keep these coming they're awssome!!

Such an amazing video!! I'd love a vid about armor and weapons I'm also very useless when it comes to decorating a tent so any bits are a huge help! Keep up the amazing videos, I always look forward to them

That Armstreet gear looks fantastic. Definitely worth the extra cost, especially if some of it (like the coat) is made to measure. Would definitely be interested in more of these videos. It’s actually making me consider LARPing, which is not something I have ever honestly considered before.

I think you've convinced me to try larp when it comes back! Keep up all the good work Mark!

Love ur larp content man👍

Awesome video as always! Love the dress! For ways to take them off... I always feel like a fool pulling them off... But I do make it easier by rolling up the bottom an pulling my arms out... Thanks for the awesome video again!

Loved the dress and modelling of it as well. Princess material indeed ❤️( and the end art piece 🥰)

Great reviews and you look great in each fit! That is basically how I take long dresses off. I like to pre-bunch the skirt up to help shift the weight. Just like taking chainmail off!

Lub lub lub it! You're so awesome. I started watching your Curse of Strahd series recently and am anxiously awaiting the new Eveningstar episode!!!

Really fun video - definitely enjoy seeing this kind of content and totally appreciate it can take a while to make what you envision with these. Thanks! :)

I love these try on videos. Very insightful. Thank you from preventing me from buying crap. I've just about started larp and have been seeing these items and been curious. Now I know, stay away from wish, don't go cheap. This is why I experiment with Amazon....easy returns lol

Amazing video! Would definitely love to see an armor and weapons one as well!

i do enjoy alot of stuff from either your larp store or epic armoury stuff :)

Really nice bonus of the very large hood with that cloak, possibly sits very nicely over a set of horns.

Great video, once again! Yes, more please!!! Armor. 🛡 Tent-stuff. ⛺ Weaponry. ⚔🏹, Making tomes 📖, scrolls 📜, and chests. How/what to accessorize. 👑💍 How to change up your look. All of these things are future videos I look forward to! Thank you for being amazing!!! 😊

The dress is a much better quality than the last. It fits you so much better. 🙂 I love it! All of these pieces are amazing! The coat is my favorite. To get the dress off, you could try loosing the side lacing, bunching or rolling up the skirt until you get to your waist, and then pulling it straight up (like taking off a jumper) over your head and up your arms. 😉👍

yasssss...do a tent stuff one!!!

Your Wizard Look has such big Ponder Stibbons energy!

Such a good video! Thanks for the content!

Nice one, again! I use 100% wool socks in my "medieval" shoes. Two pairs to shift during a longer event. Double up if cold. Keeps your feet warm and healthy (even if wet). A built up sole is rekomended though, if you are not used to flat shoes. Keep it up.

I kinda just want the Jarl coat and the cloak just to have and wear, not even for LARPing.

Fun and informative review as well as a very eye pleasing photo shoot. Don’t be so hard on yourself Mark! You’re very attractive no matter what gender you’re cosplaying. I can’t wait for the next video!

Nice thing about quality ... it will wear well. And good resale value if need be.... and that clasp! Wow - heavy duty, unlikely to break/bend! 🥰

Yay cosplay! Thanks for the retailer tip. I'll have to check them out. I want to get a cloak of my own. TBH people should wear cloaks more. Cloaks are so cool, and they're warm, and very good for keeping the wind off.

I love all your vids, not just the cosplay ones. But please do what gets ya the views and subs.

Mark, you are so dang cute in that dress I don't even know what to do with myself! Would love to see a video on tent stuff some time c:

I 100% need that first cloak and clasp for a D&D DM hood

This was really cool, would love to see more of these (or just more larp content in General to see me through till I can play again) If you do an armour one I'd recommend darkblade, it is UK based and does some amazing things with leather (and also clothing and accessories )

Liked this video a lot ! :D Would love to see different types of weapons and accessories both practical and aesthetic :)

Yes to tents & independent sellers

Love these videos! I would love to see an armor video 🙂

Don't remember why I subscribed, pretty sure I didn't see the wish video, and now I'm 100% sure past me did the right thing by making sure I followed you. XD

Thank you for saying that part about "femme instead of female" 💚 ALSO OMG YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FEMME!

I’ve never bought from armstreet just because it’s expensive but their stuff is sooooooo gorgeous! I love that blue coat it’s very attractive! If you’re ever looking for top quality full grain leather clothing for larp, Ravenswood leather is the best place to go in my opinion. I use to work for them so I can say with confidence that their quality and costumer service is absolutely amazing! (I’m not sponsored, This is just my genuine opinion) The quality of their leather clothing is the best I’ve ever seen. If you ever choose Ravenswood leather, you’ll want to create a special order where you give them your exact measurements and you choose your favorite colors and designs. It’s important for leather to fit you right otherwise it doesn’t look good. They do not charge extra for any special orders. If you’re interested, I do have a couple Ravenswood leather reviews on my RU-vid channel.

About taking the dress off, grabbing the skirt usually works the best. You can cross your arms if you want to (looks a bit more elegant maybe) but you don’t have to! Taking the dress of this way, by pulling the skirt over your head, might turn the sleeves inside out but that’s easy to fix!

Hulmes does everything

How am I just now watching this! Very nice, very informative & you look like you had fun! My problem is my too-sensitive-for-its-own-good skin so I have to avoid certain materials like leather, wool, satin, I can wear just regular cotton and polyester but boy do those cosplays get hot! Especially with multiple layers, weapons, all the body vents closed off so you just bake in the summer. I do have loads of fun though! I don't think I've ever spent over $100 on materials for a cosplay, let alone $1000! The most expensive cosplay I've done was $150 just for the costume b/c I was a newbie sewer and didn't have near enough time or know-how to make all the pieces myself. I'm more of a DIY cosplayer myself & I've made 3 other cosplays with just regular materials and a bunch of Halloween costumes just from Walmart purchases. My next cosplay is a bit of doozy though (Link from BotW) and I haven't had any extra money lately to get the materials I need to start. I don't know if the Ren Faire I go to almost every year is gonna be open this year but if not, I can have another year to make all the accessories like the Sheikah Slate, the belts, the arrows. I already have a real steel version of both the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield and they weigh AT LEAST 10-15 pounds each! I wore them with my Skyward Sword Link outfit that I made a few years ago and boy, was I tired & super sore the next day after carrying those around for 6-8 hours! I hope you are feeling better! Creative burnout is not fun at all! 🤗🤗🤗

29 mins of Mark playing around and enjoying himself posing. Nice!

Im going to a big LARP event in a couple weeks time and am yet to get a last minute costume, so thanks so much for this video! Everything from armstreet seems very well made so I will definitely have to check them out!

I would definitely love to see an armor video.

I like that you did a look with the eye covering and the light colored wig for the dress, it does remind me of the Firekeeper from DS3 (who I cosplayed because she's just so pretty) with that trim and the hanging belt

Mark takes off a dress the same way I take off chainmail...the desperation wiggle

I love your videos so much!

Gosh, that is a fun video, thank you Mark. As for future videos, LARP Camping basics supplies maybe? I'm asusming that 'one trick' is still waterproof socks (at least for the UK.), though everyone has their own 'must pack' considerations. Sort of surprised you didn't focus on the smaller crafters (cloak'd and dagger'd, Having A LARP, Mogs, Skia Mohr, Ancestor Leather Crafts) but all that stuff is quite pricey.

I love your videos so much!!! their really intresting and id love to hear more about stuff for beginer larpers. also whats the other channle id love to see more of your content???

Epic aroury, mytholon are also awsome. Simpeler, but awesome

The fabric your shirt is made of is called handkerchief linen- the finest weave of linen that'll wick moisture, protect overclothes, and keep you comfortable. It's also fairly expensive so $60 for a completed shirt is a steal! As others have said tent and campsite setup would be fantastic to see. Morgan Donner has an Instagram post on historical ways to take gowns off- inside out and over the head!

I've always had very good experiences with stuff from Dein-Larp-Shop. They have pretty good basic stuff that is not too expensive and a lot of good armor and campgear too

I'd love a video like this about larp weapons

Very enjoyable content!

I have 2 pairs of boots from Armstreet actually - they're quite comfortable!

I would love a 'tent' video!

My experiences with armstreet were awesome, but I've only ever purchased their woolen goods, their cottons and linens look good, but seem like they could be obtained from less specialist outfits, would really love to get some of their armor it looks amazing!

I stand by Darkblade (UK seller) for all my leather stuff. They do incredible hand made pieces and it’s not that expensive. I’d love to see you review some of their pieces. Love the videos!!

With the forest boots i own a wait myself and i usually wrap the extra lacing around the top so it acts kind of as a garter keeping the boot up and in place

Looking forward man!

I have a thought on the extra lacing for those boots. They seem to be made of a leather that can go soft with wear, so the extra lacing to wrap around your calves might be for future support to insure they always stay up? Or maybe just for aesthetics who knows. Brilliant video though, loved it!

For me at least, long dresses are easier to take off while sitting. Like scrunch it up around your hips area and sit down, then you have a lot less material your trying to maneuver/hold up while getting your arms out.

I think you may want to look up Larp Box if you want to do a surprised unboxing. They send a weapon in most kits and currently they are offering the Fighters box which is going to feature gear such as armor and weapons for new larpers.

Best recommendation I can make for LARP weapons is Saxon Violence - built to pass pretty much every safety check, lots of options for stab-safe weapons, amazing quality and lifelong free repair service. Lots of variety in stock but also willing to create custom orders

For how to take off a dress more elegantly - I assume the material isn't really elastic, so pulling your arms inside and then taking it off is probably not an option. Try just grabbing the bottom and pulling it up so it turns inside out, much easier than trying to pull it by the neckline up

Epic Armoury is my go to place weapons and armor

Seriously, I loved watching this and I love how awesome you are to wear female garb.

If you want to take a look at weapons there are some things to note: First the difference between latex and foamed weapons, the latter are much better imo. Calimacil basically invented those, Freyhand makes good ones if I recall correctly. Dark Fortress also sells some.

My friend and I have been thinking about venturing into LARP once all this craziness is over. It would be awesome to have a 'Everything you need for your first event' tick list of some sort?

Love the mini photo shoots lol. ❤️Maybe one using etsy ?

hint for taking dress off, loosen the side ties as much as possible before starting to pull it over head (helps with the wiggling) and also roll up the hem a lot. like roll it up to your hips or even waist and pull it over your head like you would a shirt (with tight fitting dresses I usually do the crossing arms in front of torso to grab each side of it to pull over head). Most of the time you can get the dress off easier like that, but it will end up inside-out ofc from taking it off like that. I generally prefer dresses that lace up the front so that one can remove the laces and step out of the dress rather than have to pull it over head, but yeah it's easier if you roll/hike the dress up to hips/waist before you pull it over your head to get them off.

did you mean your calf muscles?? I'm questioning my sanity, I thought your hamstrings were the back of your thigh or something. really good vid btw!!

haha, dresses, I don't wear many of them, but my first tip is to untie the sides and arms to loosen them. Then if the dress has room, pull your arms out, into the inside of the dress. Then you can pull up the bottom, poke your hands out. Then lift the rest of the dress off. Unless, its easier and roomy enough to loosen the sides, and drop it straight to the floor. That's the sexy version. LOL

i would love a video on weapons!

I own the Lady Hunter dress - best way to remove it is to undo and loosen all of the stays before wriggling out of it. It might be easier to pull it up and over via the hem, provided you've taken off your jewellery.

Loved this video! If you're looking for other websites I've heard good things about dein larp shop and epic armoury and I'd love to see what they're actually like (both accessories and clothing). If you're looking for more femme clothing I highly reccomend HolyClothing! Can't rave about them enough tbh. Also- for taking off dresses, honestly. Its pretty much how you did it haha. I find sometimes lifting the skirt up and over your head helps but it depends on the style of dress. I hope you have a great day 😁

I spy a Brandon Sanderson book in the background, a man of taste I see :D

that cloak in 13 minute marker would look great in highrollers

Again Mark! Another of these! Maybe get into contact with other youtubers to do a super collab and both get different items?

Some recommendations for buying stuff for future videas: Weapons: Light Armouries Leather armour: Locke and Lode Both are small British businesses, I know both of the owners very well and their stuff is all amazing.

Basically, there's no better way to take it off. If it's thin/not a lot of fabric you can gather up the bottom of the skirt and try to lift it over your head, but that doesn't always help xD

For Mark (and anyone else worried about getting the bottom of their dress muddy), just line it with a cheap fabric in the same colour. A quick running stitch and you'll be set, and you can take it out when it's getting gross. This won't help for the outside of course, but at least the parts that drag through the mud will have sone protection. I guess you could do it with capes too, but that takes a bit more effort to make it look nice

I play dnd an going to larpcon on sunday thanks for the videos

bought my wedding clothes from armstreet and im really happy with them