How to Not Look Like a Cutout Milite

[Quintius Clavus]

I reenact a legionary from one of the legions based in Egypt, just after the First Jewish War (say AD 74). However in my story I am an evocatus - reenlisted/called back in at the request of my centurion. I initially joined my legion under Caligula. I wear a Coolus E (Hagenau - somewhat based on the Wallbrook helmet) and a lorica hamata (Roman mail). I wear 2 waist belts each one hold one of my side arms (gladius on one and pugio on the other).
Soldiers were likely issued equipment upon enlistment, but could - perhaps within some limits - customize or otherwise change items to suit their own tastes or fashion as they gained some wealth or rank. In addition to the one helmet cited above, I also have an Imp-Gallic A and an Imp-Gallic H. Interestingly, the Aquincum helmet seems to be popular (or was for a time) in my reenactment legion. I actually traded my Aquincum to another member for the I-G H a few years ago..
I also have several tunics, which I make myself. I have red and white and some that are more or less "natural" colored/ pale tans, very light brown, etc. and in both wool and linen. I layer tunics in the winter mohths and deomonstrate Roman winter kit (no braccae!). I now only use the braccae when I do an auxiliary impression.