Kilted Virgin - Feast of the Hunter's Moon 2011

[Jewish Highlander]

Shalom Y'all,

I finally went ahead and bought my first kilt, a great kilt! It is actually 5 meters of 14 oz. Canadian wool in the Ramsay Tartan (I like the colors: black, white, and blue). I checked out many different sources for how to put it together and how to utilize it for adverse weather conditions. Although it is not my highland clan tartan (Mac Bean), I got a good deal on it. My question begins with the idea of trying to pull off an 18th century look. I would have liked to have a proper Scottish bonnet, but time and money prohibited it. What I currently have to choose between is a red beret and a black slouch hat.

Anyone care to share an opinion on which would go better with a blue lowlander tartan and a green vest for an 18th century look? It is going on this weekend.

Thanks ahead for all the advice while I get things ready for my wife and two daughters as we are all dressing up for the occasion.

[Woodsheal]

The red beret is closest to a Scots bonnet - except for the color! Throw it in a pot of coffee or tea and turn it brown? That would work, but it wouldn't dry in time.

A slouch hat with a belted plaid? A bit jarring, but you're at a N. American rendezvous, where it's doubtful anyone would be wearing a "great kilt" during that period anyways, so what the heck.

My suggestion would be to go hatless if it's not raining. You can probably pick up a decent bonnet from one of the vendors at the event....

[Ryan Ross]

The red beret is closest to a Scots bonnet - except for the color! Throw it in a pot of coffee or tea and turn it brown? That would work, but it wouldn't dry in time.

A slouch hat with a belted plaid? A bit jarring, but you're at a N. American rendezvous, where it's doubtful anyone would be wearing a "great kilt" during that period anyways, so what the heck.

My suggestion would be to go hatless if it's not raining. You can probably pick up a decent bonnet from one of the vendors at the event....

Ditto, and ditto.

[piperdbh]

What kind of hat would a gentleman of your faith have worn in the time period you're trying to recreate? That might be a good starting point.

[Jewish Highlander]

Shalom Y'all,

UPDATE - Found a black knitted beret/tam that I think will do just fine. Test ran kilt Friday and had a lot of looks but positive feedback from a variety of folks.

Raining now with chances of rain throughout today. I truly feel sorry for those, especially in my own company (my wife, my mother, mother-in-love, and my two daughters), who are not dressed for it today. Thank G-d I have a great kilt for the occasional rain and for warmth! My wife and two daughters will probably have to wear long underwear and/or something on the outside to repel the sprinkles while I anticipate being warm and dry under my kilt.

More to come later including pics.

[T-Bone]

I would go without either of those hats and buy one at the Feast. I know that they have quite a few vendors that sell period headwear.

I hope you have fun. FOTHM is always a great time. Unfortunately, I cannot make it this year.

[Geoff Withnell]

What kind of hat would a gentleman of your faith have worn in the time period you're trying to recreate? That might be a good starting point.

Through much of history, just about all men wore hats, and Jews wore, at least outdoors, pretty much the same hats as everyone else. The kippeh, aka little hat, aka skullcap is just a hat reduced to it's bare minimum, and still remain a hat, for occasions when others might go bare headed. So a Scottish Jew would likely wear the same knit hat as his Christian neighbors.

[Jewish Highlander]

Shalom Y'all,

We had a great time at the Feast of the Hunters' Moon. Many nice folk from all over came together to participate and attend plus provide a lot of food and fun for two days.

Thank you all for the helpful advice about the bonnet situation. I did happily manage to acquire a new Scottish bonnet from one of the local "Feast" vendors.

A number of positive feedback comment were shared about my kilt. I was also asked about my kilt tartan and the Scottish historical influence at Fort Ouiatenon.

Here is some pics of me in my Ancient Ramsay blue great kilt:

With my original bonnet and family at home:


With my new bonnet and family at FOTHM 2011. I know I look pregnant, but I was only the "beast of burden" since the great kilt provides a number of ways to store away a number of things in its many "pockets" that my ladies couldn't:


At FOTHM 2011:


Front shot after a long day at FOTHM:


Back shot after a long day at FOTHM:

[BuchananBiker]

You look every bit the rouge, sir. Now all you need is a dirk or basket hilted broadsword.

[Finn]

Looking good!
Feast is a favorite of mine, but haven't been in years.
Hope you had a great time!

(former Regionite)