Larp accessories
LARP accessories are what turn a costume into a true portrayal of a character – the little details that make an outfit believable. Whether it’s a felt hat, a set of cutlery on your belt or a leather binding for your songbook at camp: here you’ll find accessories perfect for medieval markets, live-action role-playing and fantasy events. Many of these items cost less than a new shirt – and transform a character’s entire appearance more than any single item of clothing.
What counts as LARP accessories – and what doesn’t?
LARP accessories are a complementary category alongside LARP clothing, LARP weapons and LARP footwear. It encompasses all those items that complete a character without themselves counting as clothing or armament: headwear such as felt hats, hoods and berets, brooches and cloak fasteners, notebooks and songbooks with leather bindings, medieval coins for that camp atmosphere, as well as cutlery sets in leather sheaths.
There is an important distinction between purely decorative and functional accessories. A songbook made of handmade paper can actually be written in; a stainless steel cutlery set with wooden handles is suitable for everyday use in the camp; a ring brooch reliably holds the cloak together. Functional accessories are not props that are put away at the end of the day – they are part of life at the market or in the camp.
Those wishing to expand their range will also find LARP belt pouches and bags, as well as medieval headgear, in their own categories.
Care and durability of LARP accessories made from leather, wool and metal
Well-maintained accessories will last for many market seasons. Depending on the material, there are a few simple rules:
Felt hats are malleable and can be individually shaped using water and steam. Important: store in a dry place and do not store them compressed. Deformations caused by moisture can usually be easily reversed by dampening the hat and reshaping it.
Leather sheaths and leather bindings are best treated regularly with a good leather grease. Never simply set damp leather aside – it shrinks as it dries and becomes brittle. If you use several leather items, you’ll also find leather dye and leather grease for care in the shop.
Metal parts such as hand-forged brooches or stainless steel cutlery sets are straightforward: store them in a dry place; for simple iron parts, lightly oil them occasionally to prevent rusting. Stainless steel blades are significantly easier to care for than iron parts.
Woolen items – hats, hoods, caps – are suitable for hand washing and should not be washed at high temperatures. Laying them flat to dry prevents them from losing their shape.
Cutlery, brooches and small everyday items
| Product | Material | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Medieval cutlery set (knife + fork) | Stainless steel / wood / horn / bone | Camp, medieval market, re-enactment |
| Carter’s cutlery set, 4-piece | Stainless steel, wooden handle | Historically inspired, fully functional for camp use |
| Ring brooch / garment clasp | Forged iron | Closes a cloak, functional jewellery for all characters |
| Notebook/songbook Leather | Leather, handmade paper | Bards, scholars, merchant characters |
| Medieval coins | Metal | Camp atmosphere, trade, game currency |
The cutlery sets in the range come with a double-sided sheath and can be worn directly on the belt – knife and fork always to hand. Depending on the design, the handles are made of wood, bone or horn, giving them a distinct feel and appearance. This is not a decorative item that disappears into a rucksack, but an everyday object that is actually used at the market or in the camp.
Brooches and ring brooches fasten cloaks securely whilst looking historically authentic – hand-forged iron versions differ significantly from stamped mass-produced brooches due to their slight irregularities. Those wishing to delve deeper will also find medieval accessories in the shop as a separate category.
LARP and fantasy: what are the differences in equipment?
The question of what is ‘typical of fantasy’ cannot be answered with a single image – for fantasy is, first and foremost, a broad spectrum. In LARP, a rough distinction is made between high fantasy and low fantasy / historical LARP, and this distinction has a direct impact on the equipment.
- Free design: elves, witches, mages, creatures
- Magical symbols, runes, supernatural accessories permitted
- No historical constraints on colour or form
- Typical elements: Elven ears, wands, mystical amulets, robes
- Suitable category: Elven accessories
- Based on real historical periods (Early, High, Late Middle Ages)
- Craftsmanship and precision are more important than creative freedom
- Materials: wool, linen, leather, iron – no synthetics
- Typical accessories: brooches, cutlery, pilgrim’s flasks, coins, pewter badges
- No magic wand, but a hand-forged knife on the belt
The opposite of high fantasy in the LARP context is what is known as low fantasy or historical re-enactment: here, documented styles, authentic materials and attention to craftsmanship are more important than creative freedom. The medieval market is a typical hybrid form – here, historically oriented performers meet fantasy characters, and both can coexist. Many accessories such as felt hats, belt pouches or cutlery sets work equally well for both styles of play.
What to wear to a medieval festival? Getting started with the right accessories
If you’re visiting a medieval market for the first time and don’t yet have a full costume: a simple felt hat, a brooch on your cloak or a few coins on your belt are enough to ensure you don’t look completely out of place. Brooches are available from around €10, as are coins and small accessories. This is the cheapest way to get started – and often the most effective.
A felt hat (~€19) combined with a simple linen shirt and a set of cutlery in a leather sheath (~€25) already creates a convincing overall look. Add a belt pouch to this and you’re fully kitted out for the market. In this price range, most beginner characters can be well equipped.
For military camps and regular reenactments, it’s worth investing in functional, durable accessories: stainless steel cutlery sets with horn handles, hand-forged brooches, songbooks made from handmade paper. Complemented by matching LARP boots and clothing made from natural fibres, this creates an overall look that holds up even on closer inspection.
Headwear: hats, hoods, caps and berets
Felt hat / pilgrim’s hat
The handmade felt hat is supplied unshaped and can be individually moulded into shape – using water, steam and a little patience. The historical model can be found, amongst other places, in the 13th-century Maciejowski Bible. Available in the range in numerous colours: black, brown, green, red, burgundy, lilac-grey and others.
Hood
The gugel is one of the most versatile medieval head coverings: it can be worn as a hood, a hat or a collar. Available in wool and cotton, it is just as suitable for historical characters as it is for fantasy roles.
Beret & Cap
Berets and simple caps suit urban characters, bards and scholars well. The woollen versions in the range are sturdy and suitable for everyday use – perfect for a trip to the market or a multi-day camp. Combined with a notebook and a quill pen, you can quickly create a credible look.
Which accessories suit which outfit? An overview by character type
A felt hat in dark colours (black, brown, grey-green), a cutlery set in a double leather sheath on the belt, a few coins as loot – these are the details that make a mercenary believable. No overloaded outfit: a few functional items make a stronger impression than a jumble of decorative pieces. Complemented by LARP belt pouches and sturdy boots, the character is complete.
The pilgrim’s hat is the most distinctive identifying feature – along with a tin badge on the hat, a brooch on the cloak and a simple leather bag. Merchant characters benefit from coins on their belt and a small notebook for ‘trade contracts’. Many of these items also work perfectly at real medieval markets.
A beret, a songbook made of dark brown leather with handmade paper, a brooch on the cloak – that’s enough to play a recognisable bard character. Scholars complement this with a quill pen (ink and quills are also available), bone or horn-handled cutlery, and a subtle piece of jewellery. Less is more here: the contrast between the simple shirt and the high-quality notebook already tells a story.
Fantasy characters offer more freedom in design, but also benefit from well-thought-out details. Elven characters will find suitable additions in the Elven Accessories category. Witches and mages can combine classic accessories such as brooches and leather books with mystical motifs. The basic rule applies here too: a beret with a brooch and a songbook with a runic motif make a stronger impression than ten different plastic items.
From your first brooch to a fully kitted-out camp character – pick out the details that suit your role and build your outfit step by step. The range includes brands such as Burgschneider, Battle Merchant and Pera Peris, as well as our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, featuring products made from natural fibres. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive selection, you’ll find clothing, footwear, weapons and accessories all under one roof in our shop.
Frequently asked questions
LARP accessories include everything that complements a character without being classified as clothing or weaponry: felt hats, hoods and berets, brooches and cloak fasteners, cutlery sets in leather sheaths, songbooks with leather bindings and medieval coins. There are both purely decorative accessories and functional items that are actually used in the market or in the camp.
Even just a few accessories are enough for a convincing first appearance: a felt hat (~€19), a brooch on your cloak (~€10–12) and a simple linen shirt are a solid start. A belt pouch and cutlery set can be added gradually. It is important to create a cohesive overall look – a few well-chosen details work better than many mismatched elements.
In High Fantasy, magical elements, elven ears, runes and supernatural accessories are expressly encouraged – the character is entirely fictional. Low Fantasy or historical LARP, on the other hand, is based on real historical periods and places emphasis on authentic materials and craftsmanship. Many accessories such as felt hats, brooches or cutlery work for both styles of play.
Store felt hats in a dry place and do not store them compressed – any deformation can be reversed with moisture and reshaping. Treat leather sheaths and leather bindings regularly with leather grease and never put them away whilst damp. Metal parts such as fibulae or stainless steel cutlery are straightforward – store them in a dry place and lightly oil iron parts occasionally.
Yes – the cutlery sets in our range feature stainless steel blades and handles made of wood, horn or bone. They come with a double leather sheath designed to be worn directly on the belt. This is not merely a decorative item, but a functional utility item that can actually be used at medieval markets or in military camps.