Costuming

Otherworld participants spend the weekend in the fictitious village of World's Edge, a small but bustling community of peasants, noblemen and women, Gypsies, merchants and all sorts of other interesting characters. Just as in any community, the way these people dress tells a lot about who they are. The nobles dress tastefully, in clothing made of luxurious and expensive fabrics. A peasant is lucky if he can afford a warm cloak; there's little money left over for jewelry or adornments. The Gypsies don't have much more to spend than the peasants do, but every coin they have goes toward garish ornamentation, with layer upon layer of bright colors and splendid excess.

As a participant, you're not an audience member who watches these characters from the sidelines. Rather, you're an important part of the unfolding storyline - and as such, you'll be wearing a costume too.

This doesn't mean that you need to spend lots of money on a costume - in fact, we encourage you not to, because you'll be running around outdoors in it. The Participant Handbook you'll receive after you register tells you how to put together a great-looking costume without spending a lot.

Many people have the beginnings of a good costume in their closets already - possibly a 'Henley-style' shirt with a few buttons down the front, a pair of baggy black pants, an old scarf - and these have the advantage that you already know they're comfortable to wear. Other people want to spend a little to buy a special piece of clothing to wear - maybe a pirate shirt for men or a lace-up bodice for women - and the Handbook lists several good mail-order sources that offer sturdy, attractive and affordable costumes. For those who like to sew - or those whose friends like to sew - there are simple instructions for costumes you can make yourself.

And if you've read the Participant Handbook but still can't find anything to wear, Otherworld is happy to loan you something from our extensive costume stock.

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