"Jacobite" garb

**KiltPunk** · 30th January 10, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Here's one, though not that clear: a poor highland "humbly" who can't afford any weapons and has been issued a half-pike!
The shirt appears white but is actually a tan, unbleached linen. Wool shirts were also common, and poor lads like this would layer shirts for warmth (not being able to afford tailored jackets and such). Knotted neckerchiefs are mentioned in period (17th C.) sources.
The shirt does NOT have lacing, and buttons at the throat. Shirts of the period can have falling or band collars, and are an item that did not change much (or at all) during the Jacobite era.

Note the simple leather "cuarans" or highland moccasins....

what kind of belt would I highlander like this have? or would you just use a rope of some kind to secure the kilt?

**Woodsheal** · 30th January 10, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by KiltPunk

what kind of belt would I highlander like this have? or would you just use a rope of some kind to secure the kilt?

A wide leather belt with any period-style buckle, or thong ties. (I suppose a rope would work, too, though leather was probably more prevalent than hemp in the Highlands!)

Here are a couple of decent belts:
http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...roducts_id=190
http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...roducts_id=191

**Deathbybagpipes** · 2nd February 10, 07:42 PM

Just a question, how is this for an earlier Jacobite impression? I am wearing knee boots, and I plan to get a better claymore soon.

I know that the pipe bag is bad, as is the sporran, but it's a good start....I think?

**Brasilikilt** · 7th February 10, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

To come back to my original statement - which received lots of good follow on comments I might add - my Jacobite unit realizes that we have far too many of the "gentry" in the ranks and not enough "humbly."

Part of the problem of course is that not all of us turn out for our living history events at any given time, so many of us have acquired much of the stuff we display for the tourists. Also, as I said, most of our visitors are drawn by the full Highland regalia and so its a good crowd drawer. Consequently, when more than a few of us get together we have multiple swords, targes, pistols, etc and most of us are dressed in the full belted plaid, tartan wesket and jacket.

Some of us are starting to move away from this general impression and do the Highland crofter, the Lowland volunteer, or even some of the Scots and Irish in French service so that we can give a more accurate idea of who marched with BPC and what they wore and carried. Up to now we've mostly been talking about it rather than demonstrating it.

Sadly, if we all turned out as we probably should we wouldn't get the "visitor" interest that we get as few are interested in the humble crofter. Its difficult finding the right balance point.

A lot of the attitude has been that you are basically *required* to wear the kilt, carry a basket hilt/targe and all the expected Highlander kit.
I acquired/ made these things because I like the look and feel of the whole kit, but, I have grown tired of everybody's practice in only wanting to dress up as one of the Clan Honchos.
As I stand now, I basically want to blacksmith at events. Wearing a belted plaide while blacksmithing in summer does NOT sound like something I want to do :-)

I can blacksmith as a Manchester/Lancashire recruit in camp, which will draw a decent crowd on it's own, and allow me an opportunity to explain to people that not all Jacobites were Highlanders.

**Woodsheal** · 8th February 10, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Deathbybagpipes

Just a question, how is this for an earlier Jacobite impression? I am wearing knee boots, and I plan to get a better claymore soon.

I know that the pipe bag is bad, as is the sporran, but it's a good start....I think?

I can't see from the photo the cut of your waistcoat. Since the white cockade implies the 1745 rebellion, an earlier Elizabethan or "RenFaire" type of waistcoat would be inappropriate. I'd replace the kneeboots with sewn tartan hose (cadadh), and get myself a knitted bonnet (the sewn type with the seam running around the outside edge is modern).

Other than those issues, you're well on your way...!

**Deathbybagpipes** · 9th February 10, 03:29 PM

It's just a vest, of brown homespun material, and I could easily get rid of the cockade, since I might use this for frontier American as well, and I was also planning to get a more correct bonnet, since I made the one I am wearing in the picture, but it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Thanks for the help!

**Deathbybagpipes** · 11th February 10, 07:54 AM

And I wasn't really going for a "gentry" or "well off" highlander, but more of the middle-class sort of thing. I wasn't sure whether the plaid jacket would be appropriate for a "regular" highlander, of the earlier period...maybe the '15 or the '19?