At a celtic festival.. acceptable attire

[Grizzly]

The entire concept of the "Celtic Festival" here in the States seems to be a hodge-podge of Irish, Scottish, and sometimes Welsh culture (and usually cartoonishly absurd caricatures at that). I'm almost to the point of avoiding them entirely, since it's clear that the purpose is not to actually celebrate specific cultures, but to re-invent a new one that's based on some sort of Hollywood version of 'Celtic'. The public attends these things as a novelty, not out of any sincere appreciation for the different cultures represented.

So yeah, you'll see people wearing anything and everything. Some people will wear regular street clothes and then top it off with a silly green tophat with a cloverleaf on it. Or they'll wear a gingham tablecloth wrapped around themselves and a huge floppy hat and a gigantic two-handed claymore. Every conceivable variation of ridiculous costume can be seen at the typical Celtic Festival. Ergo, whatever you wear will fit right in, and there's no need to even concern yourself with what's "acceptable".

Well said Tobus, Celtic festivals are at best extremely tenuously connected to Celtic ethnicity. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable as there is no dress code.

What is more is that I am a Celt and I would probably wear cargo shorts and a polo shirt if it was warm.

[CMcG]

I went to a Celtic festival in Toronto one time and most people wore typical street wear i.e. jeans and tee shirts, although I think I might have seen one other (non-performer) guy in a kilt. This was in an urban park, so perhaps the public nature of the event made it more immune to some of the fantasy-based liberties people take at a Renn Fair.

In terms of attire and assuming the Celtic festival in question is anything like the one I attended, I would suggest a casual look: tartan kilt, button up shirt or polo, plain leather sporran, wide leather belt with simple buckle, hose, flashes/garters, and leather shoes with a good sole for walking. I probably wouldn't bother with a tweed jacket, tie, etc. but would throw on a sweater if the weather was cool or a hat if the sun was strong.

I am reading the advice given with interest as I have absolutely no idea what a Celtic festival is, never mind what one is supposed to wear to such an event!

Here in Canada (and probably in the US), it is fairly common to have big public festivals that celebrate culturally, linguistically, and/or geographically related groups. Examples could include Caribbean carnivals, Latin/South American fiestas, and, of course Celtic festivals. These types of events typically include music, dance, food, and vendors related to the group being celebrated.

[Katia]

Last time I went to a Celtic festival in PA I saw several hobbits and a few elves.
The line between Ren Faire and Celtic Festival is extremely blurry!

Exactly what I was going to say. I think I've probably seen it all.

I'm with Tobus on his views of "Celtic festivals". It was much to my chagrin when I recently discovered that the newly revived Houston Highland Games has been rechristened the "Houston Celtic Festival and Highland Games". Heaven help us!

One of the "Celtic festivals" I know is probably such because there wouldn't be enough market in the area to have separate Irish and Scottish events.

[Zardoz]

While I'm personally not a fan of the "kilt shirt" outside of renfaires, I'd say wear what you feel comfortable with. I usually wear a polo or other casual shirt, some plain hose and comfy shoes to 'festival' settings, Celtic or otherwise.
Please get some photos, and try to have fun, it's a dying art!

[unixken]

I attend the local Irish Festival in my town each year, because despite that it is as decidedly non-canon to any sort of celtic dress as others here have described, it can be fun, my date is friends with the guys in the band "The New Barleycorn" who play there every year, and there's lots of beer. Last year Jane talked me into getting in the kilt contest, and I took "Best of Show" with no real effort. (See photo - that's myself and Jane with the guys from the band, and my contest prize ribbon around my neck. LOL)

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Oh... and other than one food vendor who sells shephards' pie, all the others sell such Irish delectables as pizza, elephant ears, corn dogs, fried pickles...
:: blech ::

[mookien]

... Oh... and other than one food vendor who sells shephards' pie, all the others sell such Irish delectables as pizza, elephant ears, corn dogs, fried pickles...
:: blech ::

Now wonder you won "Best of Show". Great looking outfit. I really like that balmoral with the XMTS dandelion, your Scottish National (?) kilt, that shepherd's staff, and especially your gold medal. Congratulations!

The vendors probably get all that Irish/Celtic/Scottish fare from The Tilted Kilt. If you don't "get it", it's because it's an inside joke.

[unixken]

Here's another photo from that same day. Note the Stromboli vendor in the background, left. Hey, at least his sign was green...

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Yeah, I had my dandelion (and XMTS cap badge), and yep... the Scottish National tartan (it was the greenest tartan I own.)
[EDIT: Oh, and the green bar towel hanging from my belt is embossed "Heineken"] LOL

[TheOfficialBren]

I attend the local Irish Festival in my town each year, because despite that it is as decidedly non-canon to any sort of celtic dress as others here have described, it can be fun, my date is friends with the guys in the band "The New Barleycorn" who play there every year, and there's lots of beer. Last year Jane talked me into getting in the kilt contest, and I took "Best of Show" with no real effort. (See photo - that's myself and Jane with the guys from the band, and my contest prize ribbon around my neck. LOL)

9.jpg

Oh... and other than one food vendor who sells shephards' pie, all the others sell such Irish delectables as pizza, elephant ears, corn dogs, fried pickles...
:: blech ::

I was thinking the same thing about your outfit. Very smart, sir.

[mookien]

... Yeah, I had my dandelion (and XMTS cap badge), and yep... the Scottish National tartan (it was the greenest tartan I own.)
[EDIT: Oh, and the green bar towel hanging from my belt is embossed "Heineken"] LOL

Nice picture of both of you. I like that wooded setting. I saw the green item hanging from your belt. At first I assumed it was a green tam, but I had also noticed your balmoral. I neglected to ask you about it.

The Scottish National is one of my favorite tartans. I've been orbiting increasingly closer to the event horizon of that financial "black hole". One of these days I'm going to cross it and another few hundred dollars is going to disappear forever.

[Dung Trumpet]

You could go for the gusto and dress like these two that I saw at the Maxville Highland Games last summer.
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