Historic Highland Attire

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I would reaccess the situation. The kilt was not worn prior to the 16th century. Even if you had a great kilt, that would be an anachronism.

As others have suggested, please read Matt Newsome's article.

But 1585 is in the sixteenth century.

[josephkirkpatrick]

As I understand it, the belted plaid was first worn during the late 16th century, which would make it appropriate for 1585. I do understand that the short kilt wasn't worn for more than a century and a half later, but you do understand financial constraints... maybe next year I'll hammer it down a bit better.

I guess my main concern is just looking the best that I can. I'd also like some advice for my wife.... I think I forgot to mention that.

Thanks for the link to Albannach, that definitely helps.

[Zardoz]

Well, I love me some ren faire, but I don't worry so much about "historicaly accurate" dress, If you get right down to it, 95% of folks you see dressed up at fair, the ones in kilts particularly, are not close to accurate. Or no moreso than the folks one sees dressed as fairies, Capt.Jack, bellydancers, Robin Hood or clone troopers! I just think of it as a fantasy dress-up party.
I wear one of my modern trad kilts and one of those ghillie/jacobite/pirate/whatever lace-up shirts, the rest of the kit is stuff I would wear any other day. Honestly, I would pass on the sash, it just doesn't look right to me. but your call. Likewise the weapons, I carry a sigan dubh in my hose, but dirks and swords just get heavy after a while.

[JSFMACLJR]

But 1585 is in the sixteenth century.

How true! What I meant to say was...

[turpin]

How true! What I meant to say was...

I believe Matt's article states that the first recorded instance of the great kilt was around 1594. Assuming the recording of history lags behind the actual practices being recorded, I'd be inclined accept a 10-year window.

[Woodsheal]

I believe Matt's article states that the first recorded instance of the great kilt was around 1594. Assuming the recording of history lags behind the actual practices being recorded, I'd be inclined accept a 10-year window.

At least! Given the non-literate, oral-tradition status of the Scottish highlands of the time (all descriptions are from "foreign" travellers and such), I'd suspect that belted plaids were worn for decades before they appear in a period document....