This week I’m leading my group, the Barony of the Seven Sleeping Dragons, on a field trip to a few local secondhand stores. The plan is to show them how to thrift shop with LARP garb in mind. Here’s a list of tips I’ve come up with to help guide the budget-conscious garber through a thrift store experience.

BE PATIENT! You will ABSOLUTELY NOT find something you can use every time out to the thrift shop. The inventory is random and always changing, so some days it will be good and some days it will be empty. The key is patience and persistence.

Dress for the changing room. Wear clothes that are easy to get in and out of — T shirts, zip-up hoodies, slip on shoes. Easy-access outfits will make trying things on way easier.

Money stuff. My average thrift store haul usually runs me between $10 and $20, but occasionally you’ll find something really cool that could cost up to $30 or $40. Expect great deals, but be prepared. I highly recommend bringing cash, because some shops don’t accept cards or have a minimum debit/credit limit. Got a student or military ID? Bring it — most thrift stores offer discounts to help you save even more money.

Keep in mind your character’s personal aesthetic. Does your character gravitate toward certain colors? Is your character humble and earthy? Noble and refined? Simple and straightforward? Flourishy and flurby? All these factors will play a role in what kinds of items you’ll want to watch for.

Be prepared to do some work beyond the register. It’s very rare that you’ll come out of the thrift store with anything garb-ready. What you’re looking for is raw materials that you can repurpose into garb. Think creatively about how you can transform a modern garment into garb by cutting, sewing, or adding antique flourishes. Or watch out for linens, curtains and tablecloths that you can use as fabric to make your garb from scratch.

Go big — literally. Fantasy/medieval garb tends to be a little longer, baggier and flowier than modern clothes. Go a couple of sizes up from what you usually wear and you can turn a modern polo or Henley into a tunic with minimal effort.

Accessorize! Lots of people think that if they’ve got a tunic on, they’ve checked the garb box. You can do better. Elevate your kit with accessories like interesting belts, shawls, scarves, boots, wraps, shrugs and gloves. Imagine what your character would add to an outfit just because he or she likes it. Details make the difference between the bare minimum and truly outstanding garb.

Keep an open mind. Sometimes the best finds are the ones you didn’t set out to find. Look for what you want, but keep an eye out for something unexpected. And don’t be afraid to shop outside “your” section. Good, useful stuff can be found in all areas of a thrift store, no matter your gender, age or interests.

Think beyond garb. Thrift stores don’t just have clothes. Watch out for items that could become weapons, shields, safety gear, garb accessories, feast and event gear, and more.

BE PATIENT! I’m repeating the most important part. Don’t feel you need to buy SOMETHING just so that the shopping trip isn’t a waste. Always be prepared to pack it in and try again another day.

Answer from photo: 8 — tunic fabric (tablecloth), scarf, belt, pants (women’s drawstring lounge pants), boots, quiver strap (old leather belt), quiver fabric cover (linen scraps), crossbow bolt pouch (Army Navy surplus utility bag)