Me like Sir Ian only has been to 2 living history events, being the Days of Knights group which I felt quite "at home" at both, though I enjoyed the second one more due to camping out. I did try other things beforehand and was a ren faire goer, I didn't even think I'd ever go to Days of Knights but my parents were generous enough to help take me to the first and second ones. I'd say the best way to do it is soft kit first for you guys though. I actually had my armor before I ever did have a proper period soft kit, though I still need one for Teutonic I wore my current one more than I did my armor. I have been looking for more living history though, cause I basically was fruitless going to most ren faires and then trying the SCA only to realize it wasn't my crowd. I do like helping others out for living history though, like my friend Elliot who I actually met on a forum and got him into this stuff. I just wish I knew more events to go to for this.