How about a few in storage to be handed out upon request? I mean, either way, they could choose whether or not they wanted to use such protection.  Ooh! Or, what about pants that cinch up into shorts? Just a thought. 

Eh, to me, even in fantasy, it has to make some sense, to stick with one time period or another, even if that period is created with some sort of addition that would allow them to have more advanced technology. Like steampunk. I mean, it's fun when you have that whole old-timey theme going on, then throw something more modern in there for kicks. But, actually pertaining to this roleplay, personally, I'm against them also because of impracticality with how I imagine they would likely be training--that's a lot of exposed flesh for hand-to-hand combat. Remember, we also said there will be humans here. Even a thin layer of fabric sometimes lessens a blow by a small amount... Plus I think they just look tacky, but that's really besides the point.

Oh, I had an idea, so edited my first post on here. I would appreciate it if you would check it out and let me know what you think! I couldn't think of anything better to call it, so I plugged the title in there until one of us might think of something more old-fashioned sounding.