Wyld West look and feel guide

Welcome to the Wyld West Look and Feel Guide. These articles are designed to help you navigate the clothing and style choices for the five social groups available at character creation. The goal is to provide a clear and immersive way for you to express your character’s background, personality, and place within the world of Saxum through their appearance.

In these articles, you will find detailed descriptions of the fashion, jewellery, and accessories worn by each social group, including their use of colours, materials, and embellishments. Whether you’re playing a member of the sophisticated upper class of Fortune City, a rugged Wanderer, or the vibrant, family-oriented folk of Wheatstan, this guide will give you the tools to create a look that is authentic and fitting for your character’s role in the world. Please note that military and religious clothing are not covered in this document. These styles have their own distinct guidelines and will be addressed elsewhere, as they fall outside the scope of the social groups covered here.

The goal is to immerse yourself in the visual language of the setting, using fashion as a storytelling tool to bring your character to life. Each group has its own distinct look, shaped by their environment, culture, and values. By understanding the details of their clothing and decoration, you’ll be able to create a look that fits seamlessly into the world of Saxum.

These guides are a resource for you to explore, draw inspiration from, and use as a foundation for your character’s aesthetic journey. Let your imagination run wild, but also stay true to the spirit of each social group to ensure your character’s look is as authentic and engaging as the story they’ll tell.

The individual guides can be found here:

Footwear

When selecting footwear for your character, it’s important to prioritize safety and comfort first, as LARP events are often held on rough, uneven ground. A common saying in the LARP community is, "LARP stops at the ankles." This refers to the fact that while thematic and visually appealing footwear can add to the authenticity of your costume, it must first and foremost provide adequate support for your ankles to prevent injury.

Choosing a pair of sturdy, supportive boots is essential to ensure that you can move comfortably and safely during the event. Hiking boots are an excellent option as they are designed for durability and ankle support, which will protect you during long periods of walking and standing. A plain pair of black or brown hiking boots will often be more than enough to complete your look while prioritizing your well-being.

Of course, if your boots also match the aesthetic of your character or the world they inhabit, that’s a bonus. But never sacrifice comfort or safety for style. Remember, you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet, so choose footwear that works for you, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about injury or discomfort.

Avoiding Cross-Background Clothing Styles

To maintain the unique atmosphere of each region, it is important that clothing styles stay true to the aesthetic of the specific state or background and are not directly taken from other in-game regions. Each area, from Tamarillo to Goldrock, Wheatstan, Fortune City, and the Wanderers, has its own distinctive culture, fashion, and style. Mixing and matching elements from different regions can dilute the unique visual identity of each, creating a less immersive experience for all players.

We encourage players to fully embrace the specific look and feel of their chosen state, whether it’s the rugged, Wild West style of Tamarillo, the rough-hewn look of Goldrock, the agrarian tones of Wheatstan, the more industrial aspects of Fortune City, or the nomadic and adaptable nature of the Wanderers. By respecting these aesthetics, we ensure that each state retains its individuality and helps build a rich, vibrant world for everyone to enjoy.

Offensive and Problematic Clothing

At Wyld West, we aim to create an immersive and inclusive game space where all players feel welcome. While we trust that our players will approach their costumes with thoughtfulness, we want to reassure everyone by stating clearly that we do not condone clothing choices that evoke oppression, discrimination, or harm.

Although Wyld West is a fictional setting and not the real world, we ask that players avoid attire that could be seen as reinforcing offensive stereotypes or disrespecting real-world cultures and histories. If you are unsure whether a piece of clothing or costume element may be inappropriate, please reach out to the event organizers.

Our goal is to maintain a game environment that is both immersive and respectful to all participants.