Pennsic Tips from Teffania Tuckerton
I was travelling internationally to Pennsic, so I was rather limited in luggage terms. I found I could get by with very few clothes - lots of mundane underwear, 4 cotton lawn (thin cheap stuff) underdresses and 3 overdresses. I didn't need that many overdresses - one I only wore for balls and courts because I was staying in a royal encampment and wanted to look specky. The underdresses got washed daily (yes that is a lot of washing, but you may be able to get someone else to put it in with their load if you wash their stuff first, or washing an underdress in a bucket is fairly easy). But the overdresses were worn for 2-3 days before washing (no they didn't get very yukky - the underdresses got all the sweat). With a handy coat hanger and tree I had a washing line and saved on drier money (and waiting for a drier), and in the heat about 4 hours dried a light dress.
I'd recommend 1 loose wool tunic for wet weather - cotton dries really slowly, and is cold when it gets wet (and is hard to dry without a drier in the wet weather). A wool tunic takes less fabric than a full cloak, will stay warm when wet, and can be quickly pulled on when the rain begins. Old blankets can sometimes be bought cheaply and may have enough fabric for a cloak or tunic. Also, rectangular blankets can be worn as cloaks (pin over the right shoulder), and unless they get torn or too stained can be turned back into blankets when you get home.
If you have or can borrow thermals, these can really warm up your garb worn underneath where no-one can see them.
Borrow garb and gear from friends who aren't attending Pennsic. Consider entertaining or offering to do dishes for your meals (often food funds have spare food left over at the end of the meal if you have some talent at entertaining), just don't call on the same group more than once unless seriously invited to do so. At lunchtime often volunteers on official duty may get food offered to them.
Ages beforehand, let everyone know that you want to work your way to Pennsic, and people will have plenty of time to consider offering you food, equipement to borrow, tent space, or help with entry fee, in return for labour. (Consider advertising in your local newsletter if you don't find that embarassing.)
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