Re-enactment / historical question

[Tetley]

I could not see anything scottish on that site and I doubt very much if the scots of the time would wear dublet and hose. However, your point is taken about the earliest known great kilt.

Still, just because the earliest known date is circa 1594 do not mean to say that something like that was not worn, just that there is no record of it.

So, the question then becomes, what did the scots wear in this time period?

Also I should reiterate my budgetary requirements for little or no cost.

Mark

[HeathBar]

I guess we would need a little more information. When you say re-enactment, do you mean these are people you are trying to acurately portray a certain time period in Scotland? Such as those who recreate Culloden and other battles. Or do they just like to dress up in period dress and eat smoked turkey legs? We have both over here. The first kind are very serious about getting everything correct and spend extreme amounts of time and money getting their persona correct. The other kind are usually part of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) group. These usually host the Ren-Faires where there is a broad range of period dress. While there are some in the SCA who are very serious about their persona, not everyone there takes historical accuracy in consideration. For them its all about having a good time.

So what did Scots in that time period wear? Well, it would depend on what part of Scotland they lived and what their social status was. I would imagine that the lowland Scots would have worn what the rest of Europe was wearing as the fasion of the day since that part of Scotland was accessible to the rest of Europe. So it could have been those doublets and hose. Especially for the well-to-do.

I would ask your friend as she would probably be the best source of how other men there will be dressed. She might even be able to scrounge somehting up for you. Sometimes these people have extra bits that they've put asside as they improved their look. I guess the important part is to have fun.

[Tetley]

I guess we would need a little more information. When you say re-enactment, do you mean these are people you are trying to acurately portray a certain time period in Scotland? Such as those who recreate Culloden and other battles. Or do they just like to dress up in period dress and eat smoked turkey legs? We have both over here. The first kind are very serious about getting everything correct and spend extreme amounts of time and money getting their persona correct. The other kind are usually part of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) group. These usually host the Ren-Faires where there is a broad range of period dress. While there are some in the SCA who are very serious about their persona, not everyone there takes historical accuracy in consideration. For them its all about having a good time.

Judging by the stories I have been told by the lady in question these re-enactment are trying to accurately portray various battles such as the Battle of Tewskbury last weekend. These re-enactments go on all over the country including a trip to France the weekend after next to re-enact Versailles. My thought is to go as an itinerant scot, if there is such a thing, but my main thought is not to embarrass the lady by my ignorance, hence the question.

[macwilkin]

Now, I do not want to spend any more money than I need to on this, preferably none at all if I can manage it, especially since I do not know, as yet, whether or not I will go to any more re-enactments. So my question is, after all this rambling pre-amble, what would be good to wear to show that I am trying to fit in, but not totally authentic, which I cannot afford at present.

As a former reeenactor, I would suggest contacting a local reenacting group and talking to them first before investing money in "the hobby". Most reenacting units/groups will have a "probationary" period for new members to allow them to try things out and see if they like reenacting enough to invest so much time and money.

In addition, some groups will have "loaner" clothes and/or equipment.

From personal experience: research your period before you take the field, and seek out "old veterans" for their counsel and advice, especially when you start buying kit.

Todd

[fortcollinsjerry]

Still, just because the earliest known date is circa 1594 do not mean to say that something like that was not worn, just that there is no record of it.

Mark

and Mark, that is the rub many proto-reenactors think should be the rule. Unfortunately, it is not! The whole point of doing reenacting is you are expected to become a historical archeologist (SP) of sorts. Delving into the written and/or visual arts to have the provanance of everything you wear or own. Otherwise you just wind up looking like a rag bag of different parts and pieces from different times. There is no record of something because it didn't exist then. What do you think all that stuff in museums is all about. Just about everything that has ever been made by humans is in a museum or in a work of art somewhere.

The technological mentality of the era is important as well. You can't possibley be in character with a damascas steel dirk on you hip because that technology did not exist anywhere else other than in North Africa. Modern black smiths and knife makers didn't discover that technology untill late in the 20th cantury.

Using your premis "If they had of had it they would have usd it" simply isn't the best approach and sometimes you will embarass youself showing up in something that couldn't possibley had been in use in the time your living in. Really, we can't advise you what to wear because we don't know "Who" you are going to be and in what era you existed. Finally, for gods sake don't show up with a stainless seel anything.