My Equipment so far is a pair of combat boots (which are farb but don't look out of place), a cotton shirt or two, some blue dress pants, a green canvas overcoat, 2 mexican war era wheel caps (one blue one green), a dark blue fatigue coat, and a non-firing Brown Bess Musket.
Along with a belt, bayonet, canteen and cartridge box.

I personally have chosen to represent the Mexican-American war period, which was officially from 1846–1848 but had some roots in in the Alamo (1836) and even as far back as 1824.

For all of you who don't know, the correct way for a historical reenactor to refer to something as out of place is to refer to it as "Farb". Funny name, but it kinda sums it all up.

After you've been to rendezvous once or twice, and you really want to get into it, then its time to choose a time frame to represent. You might be a young French Voyaguer, a British redcoat, a plain farmer, tough mountain man, or numerous other things. After you have chosen your character (real or made-up), you must begin to gather supplies that you need for your character and his calling. If you are an indian, then you might need to buy some moccasins, and a part of the colonial militia needs a tricornered hat obviously. Buy what you really need, then proceed to buy what you want. (a.k.a. a rifle or good tomahawk)
Then you are pretty much set!

I 1st began rendezvous with pair a pair of jeans(farb) and a cotton shirt.
For shoes i just use (and still use) a black pair of combat boots, they are out of place, but look fine if your pant legs cover most of them. Make sure and remember a belt.
Rendezvous takes place in the time frame of 1763-1850 approx. so no Civil war stuff.(like kepis)
Beginners should also make sure and have a period looking knife, kitchen knives with wooden handles work well. Also make sure and have a blanket-a blanket or sleeping bag is a MUST if you plan on staying overnight. (I should know:-)

There are four types of rendezvous'.

1st there is the relaxed: "Sunglasses are not allowed."

2nd is the mild: "Keep that bottled water hidden and out of sight." - (I belong to one of these!)

3rd is the tough: "Don't think about bringing your aluminum cot!"

4th is the hardcore: "I'm sorry but your tent poles are made of the wrong type of wood."

Get the point?

For all you who don't know, rendezvous is a recreation of fur trappers of old bringing their furs they have collected and giving them to the men(normally from St. Louis) who came to a prearranged meeting place to take the furs back east to sell. They often traded and swapped stories and news. Nowadays you can still visit a historic rendezvous where you can see volunteers who love history, act as a character or other person from the fur trade era.
If you have period clothes and a place to stay you can even take part in it yourself!

I was 10 when I 1st really began getting into reenacting. Using the KONOS homeschool curriculum, my mom instilled in me a love for history, which has partially made me what I am today. I then started visiting the Manzanita Mountain Rendezvous, which you could freely visit, but to stay overnight you had to wear complete dress and garb of the time frame of 1763-1850.
Thats when I got into collecting clothes and equipment of the 18th and 19th centuries.
But I don't just collect them, I use and wear them too(at rendezvous of course!).

Blog started/began/written April 2006 with the express purpose of showing my interest in historical reenacting.