Here are my suggestions for gear. You don't have to get the package deals that I've linked to. You can get basically the same stuff at either of the two main suppliers, but it will cost more, and often take longer. The downside is you have to deal with paying via money order or some such.
http://supfen.com/product/full-hema-kits/hfg5233.html
http://supfen.com/product/full-hema-kits/hfg5234.html
Then all you would need are gloves and a mask.
These are the gloves I currently recommend:
https://hf-armory.com/.../fencing-gloves-black-knight/... https://youtu.be/gS-JSvNaSfw That said, the gloves sold by SoCal Swords, and PurpleHeart armory are fine as well.
Any of the masks from SoCal Swords or PurpleHeart are fine. As I said, the basic model is more than sufficient.
As for swords, I tend to recommend that you wait, and rather than spending $100 on a synthetic sword buy a good steel sword, and we have synthetics owned by the club that we can loan out.
Currently my recommendations are:
Entry level
Blackfencer https://socalswords.com/.../products/blackfencer-steel-feder
https://www.woodenswords.com/Steel.../vb.ls.std.spat.htm
Ensifer
https://socalswords.com/.../steel/products/ensifer-redd-long
Aureus
https://aureusswords.com/federschwert-swoosh-standard...
Again, no rush on the steel. Most of this gear lasts well if taken care of.
Best Regards!
Lee Craven
The protective gear from South Coast Swords is made by Superior Fencing. There are times where we might wish to go direct with them. Here is their website.