The Winter Palace Guard Costume Guide
Disclaimer
No-one asked me to do this, and I've not been voted in. I just like this stuff so I'm doing it. It's my intention that people like it & take it up, but don't go slavishly following it. If most of us 'bear this in mind' (but stray from it at will) we're gonna look like a homogeneous unit with costume pieces in common, which is great.
The Look
The look is basically 'Medieval Soviets'. I think it's a fascinating range of visual imagery to use and abuse. The greys, the furs, the red & gold (although I may shift the red to purple or mauve), the propaganda.
Grey (or blue grey) military great coat
You can pick up nice ones (several of us have grabbed blue-grey Swiss ones) for £20 at army surplus outlets (try Camden).
Brown Leather Pouches, belts
Try to aim for historic looking ones rather than military; the idea is to start pulling the look back in time with accessories after an anachronistic starting point!
Weapons
Start strapping on swords to really 'break' the modern look. If possible go for nasty looking machetes, cleavers, broadswords. Nothing too delicate of refined. Brutal.
Sash
Large coloured cotton sash around the waist, knotted at the left and allowed to trail down almost to the ankle. I'm gonna see if I can get loads that match for us all.
Finish with the normal dark, not-too-anachronistic sturdy LRP boots.