Renaissance Faire wear - what's the consensus?

[Tobus]

OK, with the never-ending thread about Scottish Festival peeves, it seems the general feeling is that certain outlandish outfits are (rightly) out of bounds.

But what about a Renaissance Faire? These tend to have a carnival type atmosphere, and it's perfectly acceptable for people to show up in normal street clothes, period-correct garments, sci-fi outfits (?!), S&M costumes, etc.

As a serious kilt-wearing person, I have no intention of wearing anything outlandish. But what does the community here find as acceptable for a Ren faire, even if it falls outside the norms of traditional garb for Scottish events?

For example, even though 'ghillie shirts' are not really accepted as traditional Scottish attire, is it more acceptable at a Ren faire, even if it's not accompanied by other period accessories?

What would YOU wear to a Ren faire if you wanted to wear a kilt and have fun, but not necessarily dress in a well-researched and historically-correct outfit? Especially if it's on a Scottish-themed weekend at the faire?

[damhnade]

My husband typically wears his kilt with a black pirate shirt, black sporran, and big black boots. Someday when I stop spending all of our money on my own costumes, we'll get him a pirate hat and black pirate coat or vest. We tend to lean towards the pirate end of the spectrum at Ren Faires. Scottish Pirates, why not?

[Kilted Rogue]

My husband typically wears his kilt with a black pirate shirt, black sporran, and big black boots. Someday when I stop spending all of our money on my own costumes, we'll get him a pirate hat and black pirate coat or vest. We tend to lean towards the pirate end of the spectrum at Ren Faires. Scottish Pirates, why not?

Scottish pirates you say

How about Red Legs Greaves. A scottish pirate around the 1670

[Dale Seago]

Scottish pirates you say

How about Red Legs Greaves. A scottish pirate around the 1670

Or moving for'ard a bit to the 1700s, how 'bout the Scottish pirate (per the English anyway) John Paul Jones, the "Father of the American Navy"?

[Bob C]

Or moving for'ard a bit to the 1700s, how 'bout the Scottish pirate (per the English anyway) John Paul Jones, the "Father of the American Navy"?

You're pretty well out of the Renaissance by then.

[Dale Seago]

You're pretty well out of the Renaissance by then.

Aye, well, but so are the 1600s. . .

[freddie]

My husband typically wears his kilt with a black pirate shirt, black sporran, and big black boots. Someday when I stop spending all of our money on my own costumes, we'll get him a pirate hat and black pirate coat or vest. We tend to lean towards the pirate end of the spectrum at Ren Faires. Scottish Pirates, why not?

Ever heard of John Paul Jones?

[Woodsheal]

The influx of pirates at Renn Faires is nonsensical, as they pretty much all dress as seafarers of the Black Beard, Jack Sparrow "Golden Age" period: 1700-1720, which is at least a century out of whack. (And no pirates, Scottish or otherwise, counted kilts as part of their sea-going garb!)

Anyways, one could easily portray a "sea-dog" of the Elizabethan period - one of Drake's or Hawkin's men - which would look way cooler at the Faire than an anachronistic 18th C. privateer....

[Griogair]

[davedove]

First of all, RELAX. You're not going to be committing some fashion crime by not being dressed "properly". Quit worrying so much and have fun.

If you're trying to come up with an outfit that's historically accurate, all it takes is some research. If you're not, then who cares.

Personally, I tend to wear outfits that are "psuedo-historical" in that they may have the flavor of the event, but are certainly not accurate in every detail.

I think some people are getting so caught up in doing everything right and not stepping on anyone's toes that they forget to have fun.