Think "the new person" or someone "on a budget". We hear a lot about not being able to afford to play. And the current royals have made it their mission to "attract and retain" new people.
I am wondering what is a reasonable price point for creating a good, long lasting costume/armor.
The SCA does have a dedicated loaner garb functionality: Golden Key.
Here's the thing: You can't price yourself at a loss. And you should not devalue your time excessively.
If you did a super-simple vest in various sizes, draw-string pants (though you could probably skip pants as mundane pants will pass at a distance) and a simple shirt with the armpit reinforcement, you might be able to keep it under $50.
Starter garb is easier to keep inexpensive if you stick to t-tunics (with gores and set-in sleeves rather than actual Ts if you want since it's just as easy, long and short hemlines). You can stay under $50 casually. Anything more complicated is going to run more time and materials and bump you over 50 - such as irish dresses w/shifts. But a t-tunic dress, with a little bit of curve to the fit, with pretty trim, can get someone a long way. A long, gored dress for me averages 4 yards of fabric and 3 yards of trim for neck and sleeves. Add a trim-and-cloth belt... and even with cheap fabric and trim, your materials are already over $20. Luckily, these things are fast to put together. :)
I guess what I'm saying is: a better way to solve the "can't afford to play" thing is to teach people to sew. Building your own is always going to be cheaper. People on a budget know this. (Been there, done that, still have the 10 gored cotton skirt.)
The starter kit for the new person is a more reasonable price point to shoot for. And it's probably around $50 for a simple dress or $25-30 for a nice tunic. Broadcloth + serger? Probably brings the price down a little.
The starter fencing kit - again, you need to cover your materials and at least some of your time. If you use different materials (less linen), and simpler cuts (less time), can you realistically price a shirt and vest at $50?
Starter garb has the connotation in my mind of being for people who are unsure of their future in the Society, whether they will stay, or if they may find another niche or specialty. Therefore, starter garb needs to have a smaller price tag.
( To specify, a simple T tunic or gored dress is what I see as starter garb, generic and simple. Fitted or custom items, fine fabrics, and specific styles are no longer starter, and command a higher price.)
Starter rapier armor, however, is a specialty within a specialty. Purchasing such an item infers that the buyer has tested the waters and begun making decisions about their future, and is willing to invest accordingly.
I think your numbers for starter garb are about right. Starter rapier armor should start, I would thing not being a tailor, a bit higher. I would guess around $100. The not very garb like Zen Warrior fencing tunic is $50 alone. Add their $25 hood and their 25 pants and your at $100 for something bearly passable. So starting at $100 for the begining fencer would be about right.
Err.. ahhem. I mean, yes, prices. I've gotten to a place where I'm happy to throw money at garb. I know I do not have the skill or time it takes to make what I'm looking for. (We should talk about fabulous Poles)
For beginner - I'd have put down $30 on a solid made tunic, and probably the same for trews. For Rapier, I can't comment. I put down $200 for the Siberian Battle Tutu, and $75 for it's Lighter version 2.0 cousin, so take from that what you will. - K.
I don't know that poles did stripes - I'd have to do some more research into 1550's Polish clothing.
For gits and shiggles I'm thinking about doing up a really spiff gentleman's kit from the period and cross dressing. Complete with faux leopard pelt. :)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-09-30 03:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 03:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:00 pm (UTC)Starter rapier armor is presumably the bare minimum pants, shirt, vest to be legal?
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:03 pm (UTC)I am wondering what is a reasonable price point for creating a good, long lasting costume/armor.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:22 pm (UTC)Here's the thing: You can't price yourself at a loss. And you should not devalue your time excessively.
If you did a super-simple vest in various sizes, draw-string pants (though you could probably skip pants as mundane pants will pass at a distance) and a simple shirt with the armpit reinforcement, you might be able to keep it under $50.
Starter garb is easier to keep inexpensive if you stick to t-tunics (with gores and set-in sleeves rather than actual Ts if you want since it's just as easy, long and short hemlines). You can stay under $50 casually. Anything more complicated is going to run more time and materials and bump you over 50 - such as irish dresses w/shifts. But a t-tunic dress, with a little bit of curve to the fit, with pretty trim, can get someone a long way. A long, gored dress for me averages 4 yards of fabric and 3 yards of trim for neck and sleeves. Add a trim-and-cloth belt... and even with cheap fabric and trim, your materials are already over $20. Luckily, these things are fast to put together. :)
I guess what I'm saying is: a better way to solve the "can't afford to play" thing is to teach people to sew. Building your own is always going to be cheaper. People on a budget know this. (Been there, done that, still have the 10 gored cotton skirt.)
The starter kit for the new person is a more reasonable price point to shoot for. And it's probably around $50 for a simple dress or $25-30 for a nice tunic. Broadcloth + serger? Probably brings the price down a little.
The starter fencing kit - again, you need to cover your materials and at least some of your time. If you use different materials (less linen), and simpler cuts (less time), can you realistically price a shirt and vest at $50?
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:46 pm (UTC)But now I want to re-make some of my early garb in linen. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:29 pm (UTC)Give the Fop an inch and he'll take the whole bolt... ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 06:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:47 pm (UTC)Starter garb has the connotation in my mind of being for people who are unsure of their future in the Society, whether they will stay, or if they may find another niche or specialty.
Therefore, starter garb needs to have a smaller price tag.
( To specify, a simple T tunic or gored dress is what I see as starter garb, generic and simple.
Fitted or custom items, fine fabrics, and specific styles are no longer starter, and command a higher price.)
Starter rapier armor, however, is a specialty within a specialty. Purchasing such an item infers that the buyer has tested the waters and begun making decisions about their future, and is willing to invest accordingly.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:38 pm (UTC)Err.. ahhem. I mean, yes, prices. I've gotten to a place where I'm happy to throw money at garb. I know I do not have the skill or time it takes to make what I'm looking for.
(We should talk about fabulous Poles)
For beginner - I'd have put down $30 on a solid made tunic, and probably the same for trews. For Rapier, I can't comment. I put down $200 for the Siberian Battle Tutu, and $75 for it's Lighter version 2.0 cousin, so take from that what you will.
- K.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 09:09 pm (UTC)For gits and shiggles I'm thinking about doing up a really spiff gentleman's kit from the period and cross dressing. Complete with faux leopard pelt. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 09:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 09:26 pm (UTC)http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Wadowice+Gorne+poland&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.27475,69.257812&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Gmina+Wadowice+G%C3%B3rne,+Mielec+County,+Subcarpathia,+Poland&ll=50.261254,21.313477&spn=9.400606,17.314453&z=6
circa 1500-1550's.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-01 03:07 am (UTC)