Outlander Wardrobe and language

[terry dresbach]

Quite right, in the 1740s there were no "clan tartans" yet.

Quite right, in the 1740s there were no "clan tartans" yet.

DALE I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
.

I think it's wonderful that they're going to be so popular!

[terry dresbach]

Those are actually replicas of French military boots of the period, as our Highlanders served in France. We explored all the options for footwear, but in the end had to compromise due to the physical constraints of filming a television show. Sometimes decisions are not made for creative reasons, but for practical ones. Giving our actors enough protection in grueling conditions is very important. They are not ACTUAL Highlanders but are in similar conditions over the course of a year. We need them to be physically safe. The shinty game for example was a huge discussion, as they would have actually played barefoot. But these are modern men, with tender feet.
There are almost no choices that you will see on the show that have been sloughed off, or lazily researched. We consider these things very carefully. Big part of the job, to KNOW what is correct and then if you have to deviate, it is not a careless mistake.

no

I'd have to second the bothersome ren-faire pirate boots. I don't see how they could even be practical or comfortable for running about the highlands on foot. To me, it's a blatant disregard for accuracy, in exchange for what artistic point, exactly? Is it because it's what the public sees at ren-faires or on book covers and so it's what they expect to see on TV? Are shoes and hose not butch enough? With the plethora of information on the subject of Highland/Scottish attire it seems an odd point to go rogue on if you are otherwise making a decent attempt at accuracy.

[terry dresbach]

I believe that some where in a previous post in this thread there was reference to Jamie's "service in France" ... we can fall back on the understanding that the dead on a battlefield do not mind giving their shoes to the living.. I will watch & see if there are issues w/ the way the hero moves as he runs across the heather... this is fantasy so fantasies can be constructed to support the story. Occam's razor does not apply to fiction ...I give you Dr. Pandiglos in Candide as he explains the purpose of noses as only to support glasses


for those who have not subscribed to STARZ Network... The series is available to view at WWW.STARZ.com

Thanks Terry & Ron for making this romance / fantasy / science FICTION entertainment available to us

We often suppose that garments have been taken from the dead. Ned Gown wears Redcoat gaiters. Bill Patterson the actor is not much of a rider, and riding in hose was problematic for him. So he stole some gaiters off a dead Redcoat!!!

[terry dresbach]

Yeah, but will that be the hero or his stunt double?

Very often our actors are doing a LOT of their own stunts and have had to have extensive training in combat, riding,weapons etc.

[terry dresbach]

Terry is such a treasure and it's so fascinating to hear the background and thinking behind the creation of such amazing and beautiful outfits.

When I first saw the Outlander tartan, it reminded me very much of a kilt I had made last winter. It's a weathered clan tartan (MacKay) and is just a little different than the Outlander tartan.

I understand about not wanting to use clan tartans, but I wonder if the Weathered MacKay had been an influence on the design of the Outlander tartan.

That is very similar, but the first time I have sen that one, beautiful!!!!

[HootinHoller]

Re my question about Ned's cape...

No, we made that. We have made about 90% of all the costumes, and everything for our principal characters. I love that piece!!!!

In the episode it can barely be seen. I had to rewind several times just to be sure it was a proper cape. If you have photos that you can put on your blog I would be most appreciative.

I've been pining for one and trying to talk my daughter into making me one, but finding a pattern that isn't a Sherlock Holmes Halloween costume is difficult. If you're aware of any patterns I would love to hear about them.

[Lodrorigdzin]

Re my question about Ned's cape...


In the episode it can barely be seen. I had to rewind several times just to be sure it was a proper cape. If you have photos that you can put on your blog I would be most appreciative.

I've been pining for one and trying to talk my daughter into making me one, but finding a pattern that isn't a Sherlock Holmes Halloween costume is difficult. If you're aware of any patterns I would love to hear about them.

http://lelaboureur.fr/cadres.htm

you'll have to click through to "tradition regionale" and then to "cape berger"

[WVHighlander]

Terry, what Peter says here is quite true. Re: Plain vs. twill weave, I have a kilt (the one in my current profile pic, in fact) of Islay Tweed, from the same mill and in the same pattern originally created for Liam Neeson to wear as Rob Roy MacGregor. Superficially it looks very robust, thick, rustic/"earthy", warm -- and I suspect those were considerations in the choice of cloth for Outlander. But this, for me, is one of my "warm to cool" weather kilts, not something I'd want to wear in cold weather. Here's a shot of the pleating with good detail:




As far as colors and patterns of the time are concerned, here's a frontal shot of another of my kilts. This tartan is referred to as Old Culloden and is one with which Peter is, let's say, intimately familiar. ;)

I REALLY LIKE that top kilt/tartan. I've always been a fan of the tweed or heavy woven plaids for some reason....

[Dale Seago]

"Old Culloden" is what we used to call the bottom one here. It was actually registered as "Culloden 1746 -- Original".

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=5495

[WVHighlander]

"Old Culloden" is what we used to call the bottom one here. It was actually regisstered as "Culloden 1746 -- Original".

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=5495

What is the name of the other one?