Jacobite shirt, and renaissance accessories

**corbmonster** · 6th October 14, 10:22 PM

I kind of wanted to get a Jacobite shirt before going to the TX Ren Faire. 1 so I could go dressed, and 2 so i could have it before halloween. So my problem is just by looking at the pic, you can't be sure of the quality and thread count. I'd like a solid shirt that my crazy chest hair isn't going to poke through and look gross. I'd like something solid with a high thread count. Does anyone have any first hand experience with ordering these online that has gotten a good product you would recommend?

Also, I've never been a big fan of the Ghillie Brogues shoes. I've seen on time period shows highlanders and other Scotts wearing boots, but I think this might have been more of a product of horse riding than anything else?? I could totally be wrong. I'm not sure. Well, does anyone have any suggestions for time period footwear? That doesn't cost $200?

Mods, if this should be somewhere else please feel free to move.

**Downunder Kilt** · 6th October 14, 11:29 PM

Here are a few ideas. The first is a commercial site and I think a couple of members here may use them or similar at renfaires.
https://www.medievalmoccasins.com/Me...ct_Code=LOWTOP

The following are historical descriptions of shoes worn that you may find useful if you decide to make a pair yourself
http://www.historicgames.com/Scottis.../ghillies.html
http://www.appins.org/pampooties.htm

**Tobus** · 7th October 14, 05:15 AM

I wouldn't worry too much about being 'period correct' at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Kilts themselves were not exactly Renaissance-period clothing (the great kilt appeared at the very end of that era). So-called "Jacobite shirts" are not historically accurate; they are a fantasy/costume invention. Pretty much all of what you see at RenFest is costumery, at least as it relates to kilts.

So if you want to dress up and have a good time, go for it. But you needn't try to make it accurate with a kilt. There really isn't any way to do so.

**creagdhubh** · 7th October 14, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I wouldn't worry too much about being 'period correct' at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Kilts themselves were not exactly Renaissance-period clothing (the great kilt appeared at the very end of that era). So-called "Jacobite shirts" are not historically accurate; they are a fantasy/costume invention. Pretty much all of what you see at RenFest is costumery, at least as it relates to kilts.

So if you want to dress up and have a good time, go for it. But you needn't try to make it accurate with a kilt. There really isn't any way to do so.

I'm actually going to the Ohio Renaissance Festival this weekend. They have "themed" weekends and this weekend coming up happens to be "Highland" weekend. My wife and I have attended before, and you tend to see a lot of chaps dressed up in pure, kilted costumery, which given the context, is completely fine. I plan on wearing the kilt in my typical (traditional) fashion, since I have never treated it as a costume. The "Highland" weekend is actually more along the lines of a Highland Games or a Scottish Festival, with pipe bands, Highland Dance, athletic events, Celtic rock bands, etc. The band Albanach is scheduled to perform this weekend too. Should be a nice day out.

**Benning Boy** · 7th October 14, 08:57 AM

We had quite a good discussion of the shoes here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...hillies-85021/

This shirt is very well made, and tightly woven:

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/kilt/sc...ilt-shirt.html

It's a little less Jacobite than a Jacobite shirt. The Woman bought me one last spring. I still haven't worn it. Told her it would be nice for Ren Fests, but so far we've found reasons to not go to the Kansas City Ren Fest, so it remains in the closet.

**uncle remus** · 9th October 14, 08:55 PM

here is a site that tells you how to make your own pair of non sew gillies.

http://mikemojc.2bitsabyte.com/Gillies.html

**Alan H** · 10th October 14, 08:56 AM

It's pretty well accepted that if you really try to go whole hog and be honestly period-authentic, it's the shoes that are the hardest thing to pull off. Not only that, but if you do actually make buckled, non-lasted (no difference between the right and left shoe) they're going to be miserably uncomfortable for a very long time until they are thoroughly broken in. You can buy such shoes for exorbitant prices, but again...until they're broken in, whoooiiieee.

http://larsdatter.com/shoes.htm

**jhockin** · 10th October 14, 09:01 PM

(ALAN: you need to empty some space for new personal messages ;0) ["Alan H has exceeded their stored personal messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space."]

**Sir Didymous** · 12th October 14, 06:12 PM

Bear in mind that there isn't really a good way to handle the accuracy issue. Great kilts came in late in the renaissance, and for the larger part Scots dressed like the English. But for the sake of good costumey fun, I recommend this shirt: http://stores.renstore.com/chi3015-0...t#.VDsgt0t2KM8
Though I've never owned this specific shirt from this company, I highly recommend them. I have some shirts from them that I use as part of my daily attire and have had them since 2004. The wear that shows on them is rather minimal. The shirt worn in this thread is one of them, and this picture was taken just last year. As to the footwear issue; I go barefoot with mogans (those leg warmer looking things that I'm also wearing in the picture). However if you are planning on any type of boot, I would skip the hose as well. With very few exceptions, they just look off with the kind of boots one usually sees at these types of events. That being said, simple canvas shoes like those sold on the same site as above look decent enough with the renfair garb. But you may have trouble getting shoes through them in your size. It looks like the busy season reeked havoc on their stock.