I am about to go insane, and order some aluminium chainmail (I’m eyeing up this stuff; there are also cheap shirts on eBay. Stuff from actual larp stores is expensive). I’m after Aluminium because its light, doesn’t rust, and won’t need cleaning; given that larp costume is largely cosmetic, actual steel just seems like a heavy, time-consuming pain.
So, any advice? Is butted OK, or it worth springing for riveted to reduce maintenance? Will I need a full gambeson for aluminium? How much do I need to add to my chest measurement to get something in the right size?