Admittedly, we like to cast ourselves as a more laid-back sort of LARP. The way I like to describe the game's mood is as a big D&D game. Just a bunch of friends, sitting around a table, roleplaying, cracking jokes, and slaying monsters. Good times.
However, there is a balance to be had. We go out of our way to play in a secluded location with cabins to give the game a more immersive feel. It's not just sitting around a table imagining the action; you're really there. Achieving that sense of realism is a collaborative effort. It's for this reason that we'll be strictly enforcing costuming requirements starting next event.
Now, wearing a period-appropriate costume has always been a rule on the books. We've been lax in enforcing it because, again, we like to be laid back. However, the jeans, T-shirts, and watches have to go if we want to promote the sort of immersion we're going for.
Most everyone in the game does a fine job. If you've gone out of your way to garb up, this probably isn't directed at you. For everyone else, however, consider this your four-week notice. You've got plenty of good examples to go by, and plenty of time to get the job done before next event. If you need some help, you have but to ask and the wealth of costuming knowledge that is our player base will descend upon you. And your costumes don't have to be stellar; anything that looks fine at a Renaissance fair will do.
I'll discuss with Nick whether or not we want to continue allowing new players to go without garb at their first event. We want to keep the barrier of entry low to encourage folks to give the game a try, but it really kills immersion when the guy next to you is in jeans and a T-shirt. At any rate, the rule stands for the moment; we'll keep everyone posted if and when we change it.