D&D General How Do D&D Adventurers Dress?

[el-remmen]

Since literally my favorite part of the Lord of the Rings films is how dirty they are (esp. the dirt under their fingernails), I imagine most people who aren’t nobles living a soft life as dirty and careworn. Even if their clothes started as flamboyant and colorful all it takes is a few minutes in a dungeon or a day hiking along muddy roads to change that.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Since literally my favorite part of the Lord of the Rings films is how dirty they are (esp. the dirt under their fingernails), I imagine most people who aren’t nobles living a soft life as dirty and careworn. Even if their clothes started as flamboyant and colorful all it takes is a few minutes in a dungeon or a day hiking along muddy roads to change that.

Almost the first thing Romans built when they established a new settlement was a bath house.

 

[Bedrockgames]

I would think being on the road as an adventurer would likely make dressing in noble finery somewhat of a challenge (it would probably be pretty dirty and worn unless they have a retinue of people helping to maintain their physical appearance).

I do think there is something to the idea that powerful people can dress how they want. You see this in wuxia all the time where martial heroes can flout convention and even social standing (because who is going to who is goin to criticize a person who can Nine Yin White Bone Claw them to death. That said, I don't think everyone who can dress like Elton John, would

 

[Bedrockgames]

Almost the first thing Romans built when they established a new settlement was a bath house.

Even in the modern world, with all our luxuries, if you have to be on the road, you do get a bit grungy. It is fantasy so it is fine either way, but I can definitely see what @el-remmen is saying here. Going on an adventure is like hiking the Appalachian Trail, but having to fight orcs and skeletons along the way. You are going to get sweaty and dirty

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Even in the modern world, with all our luxuries, if you have to be on the road, you do get a bit grungy. It is fantasy so it is fine either way, but I can definitely see what @el-remmen is saying here. Going on an adventure is like hiking the Appalachian Trail, but having to fight orcs and skeletons along the way. You are going to get sweaty and dirty

And you will look for the first opportunity to get clean, parting with gold to do so. Humans like to be clean.

 

[Bedrockgames]

My personal favorite is actually the homespun ren faire look of the 2E PHB from 1989 (didn't really like the art in the 1995 PHB). But that is just an aesthetic choice (to me it resembled what I saw camping or staying at a cabin in Maine, or literally going to a ren faire, so it felt right). It is really a matter of personal preference. If you are sticking with history, things are probably not going to look how most people imagine them. If you are emulating genres, there is going to be genre sensibility and glamor. Also if you want to emphasize the daily struggle of the setting, focusing on more on the lack of cleanliness can work. For me it also depends on teh setting. Ravenoft had a lot of anachronism and glamor to fit the gothic aesthetic. To me it fit what they were going for. I didnt care if it was super realistic.

And you will look for the first opportunity to get clean, parting with gold to do so. Humans like to be clean.

You will but keeping those threads clean is going to be a challenge if you are delving into filthy underground chambers

 

[el-remmen]

Almost the first thing Romans built when they established a new settlement was a bath house.

Yes. And that’s a great downtime activity. Clandestine political meetings or having to fight off an assassination attempt in your skivvies!

Players in my games often talk about getting laundry done or taking baths when stopping at an inn or roadhouse.

 

[Rabulias]

I think his name started with an H?

Yes. Hennet, iconic sorcerer from the 3.x era.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Ideally so as to single-handedly invalidate any claim that the setting is serious, somber or versimilitudinous.

Belts, metal plates attached impossibly to places, big chunky boots and or gauntlets, something that's on fire or emitting lighting for no reason, a living creature physically clinging to them, fur trim even on metal armor, mix and match pieces from different pieces from different Earth eras and lands and in colors the human eye cannot percieve.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yes. And that’s a great downtime activity. Clandestine political meetings or having to fight off an assassination attempt in your skivvies!

Players in my games often talk about getting laundry done or taking baths when stopping at an inn or roadhouse.

“You meet in the bath house” would make a change from the tavern.