Sir Alexis wrote:

>What emphasis do people place on wearing "real" armor.  It
>has long been the standard in Ansteorra to wear minimum armor, i.e. cops
>and kidney belt.  Do people prefer to see armored fighters, or just look
>up to see who is left standing?  

As you know Sir, this is a major button of mine!  I have put some effort into making my 'kit' appear cohesive
 and historic (where I can).  And I really enjoy the Pagentry of fluttering banners and colorful combatants, but
 nothing takes the wind from my sails faster than facing a fighter with jeans under his sagging, leather leg-
armor - tennis shoes for sabatons - a harley t-shirt poking out from under his dirty tabbard - a weight-lifters belt
girding his middle.

I acknowledge that there is a trade-off between performance and appearance.  (I'd never consider fighting in
 a full mail kit!)  But the opposite extreme is just as distastefull, if not more so!!  

Sure, there are the arguments that not everyone has the time/resources to make a historic/flamboyant armor
 kit.  But that only carries so far!!  Make a decent surcoat and cover it all up!!  Make pants and cover your leg 
armor!!  There are lots of ways to hide that duct tape!!

Given that the combat is one of (if not THE) most visible aspects of our Society, doesn't it make sense that
 we should take the time to make it look the best?!  I'd love to see marshalls escort poorly garbed fighters off
 the field!! (Manfred! You opened a can of worms with that statement!!)

Lord Manfred Wolf
Barony of the StarGate, Ansteorra
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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