Kilted at a renfair.

[Andrew Green]

"I'd wear a little kilt to a renfair... of course I would and do wear a kilt to lots of other places as well. The little kilt is a dang sight more comfortable and flattering than a pair of green tights!!"

Exactly.
The part the seriously gets me is that I have seen people running around in modern highland dress (I'm talking balmorals and glengarries, along with what look like sport coats, or perhaps montrose knock offs)... just torques me the wrong way.

Though, last time I went, I saw a few well done belted plaides, and a few obvious blankets (although the pleating was well done, the material could have used help). One dude even had a really nice leine (although bright white) to go with an earth toned feilidh mohr.

[bubba]

As for what's correct or appropriate, I like this quote from W Gordon Smith.
This tartan obsession … prior to Walter Scott the average clan gathering looked like a pile of tattie bags

[PiobBear]

This look - especially considering the basket hilt sword - is appropriate for 1590's (just barely!) thru 1746. Of course the 3-drone pipes are a later development ....

Ren Fairs are not places to worry about what is or is not period.

Thank you for the history lesson. I personally don't care to go about barefoot in a léine & tartaine, and according to Joseph MacDonald's "Compleat Theory of the Scots Highland Bagpipe", by 1760 the three drone configuration of a bass and two tenor drones was sufficiently well established to be considered representative of the type. It's certainly been my experience that when someone hires a piper, they expect a kilt; I doubt I'd get nearly as many gigs wearing something that looks like a maiden's shift and a horse blanket, and I'd certainly hate to dissapoint my creditors. Besides, I seriously doubt that my wife (or other clients) would go for the long hair, long beard, and long term lack of personal hygeine true period authenticity would require...and then there are my failings in archaic Gaelic and piobaireachd...but hey; all life involves compromise.

Illustration from MacDonald, c. 1762

[Jimmy the Celt]

While historical accuracy is an aim of SCA events, the more important aspect [to me] is the educational / study side of things. Events are more for fun, though some take it extremely seriously. It's good to have a balance between the two.

[Robinhood]

Imperial Storm Trooper may in fact be period
correct at a renfair. Remember the opening
text started "A long time ago ..."

[beowulf67]

Imperial Storm Trooper may in fact be period
correct at a renfair. Remember the opening
text started "A long time ago ..."

I was thinking it was more in the dark ages, rather than the renaissance.

Though I did say the exact same thing when my daugher pointed him out. "Well it was 'A long time ago...'

[Semiomniscient]

So is the great kilt considered "in-period" for a ren-faire? How about all that fantasy leather armor one sees, like something on the bad guys from Conan the Barbarian. By Crom, ther's probably more non-period stuff worn than period.

I didn't want to wear my kilt to the Louisiana Ren Fest because I don't like people thinking it's "costume" or that it was medieval like Mel Gibson portrays. But my mom reminded me that Ren Fests include "historical fiction" and anachronisms are allowed. Besides, people talk in their fake English accents... but from what I've heard, those aren't likely to be how they spoke in England at such times.

[Bugbear]

Gees! This is an old, old thread...
Our Ren Fare has become about mostly weirdness with some kind of past flavor. They did have belly dancers, though...

In that spirit, I wore a kilt, mostly because the friend I went with wanted me to, and a costoom pirate shirt that the same friend gave to me and wanted me to wear with the kilt. There's a picture up in the gallery on the second page of my pictures in the group of bear pictures.

[beloitpiper]

Holy Thread Resurrection, Batman!

I let anything go at Renn Faires. You're supposed to have fun, so why come down on people for not "being in period"?

It's a different story when I see people like that at Highland Games.

[CameronTaylor]

Life, like RenFaire is too short to take too seriously.
I've worn my olive drab UK, my Clan Anderson tartan, and Levi's to such events. The Anderson got rave reviews and even a decent handful that knew which tartan it was, being part of the Utilikilt Army is always fashionable (anybody else hear Alan H yell just now ?), and in Levi's just part of the crowd.
If it's not FUN, why bother ?


CT - un great kilted