Renaissance Faire wear - what's the consensus?

[Tobus]

OK, with the never-ending thread about Scottish Festival peeves, it seems the general feeling is that certain outlandish outfits are (rightly) out of bounds.

But what about a Renaissance Faire? These tend to have a carnival type atmosphere, and it's perfectly acceptable for people to show up in normal street clothes, period-correct garments, sci-fi outfits (?!), S&M costumes, etc.

As a serious kilt-wearing person, I have no intention of wearing anything outlandish. But what does the community here find as acceptable for a Ren faire, even if it falls outside the norms of traditional garb for Scottish events?

For example, even though 'ghillie shirts' are not really accepted as traditional Scottish attire, is it more acceptable at a Ren faire, even if it's not accompanied by other period accessories?

What would YOU wear to a Ren faire if you wanted to wear a kilt and have fun, but not necessarily dress in a well-researched and historically-correct outfit? Especially if it's on a Scottish-themed weekend at the faire?

[damhnade]

My husband typically wears his kilt with a black pirate shirt, black sporran, and big black boots. Someday when I stop spending all of our money on my own costumes, we'll get him a pirate hat and black pirate coat or vest. We tend to lean towards the pirate end of the spectrum at Ren Faires. Scottish Pirates, why not?

[davedove]

First of all, RELAX. You're not going to be committing some fashion crime by not being dressed "properly". Quit worrying so much and have fun.

If you're trying to come up with an outfit that's historically accurate, all it takes is some research. If you're not, then who cares.

Personally, I tend to wear outfits that are "psuedo-historical" in that they may have the flavor of the event, but are certainly not accurate in every detail.

I think some people are getting so caught up in doing everything right and not stepping on anyone's toes that they forget to have fun.

[Zardoz]

Tobus, I'd think the general tone of the "never-ending thread about Scottish Festival peeves" would put you off of asking anyone here about Renaissance Faire!
But I do wear a kilt to faire, and I like to have fun, so here's a couple examples of what I generally wear;



I'll wear basically the same kilts, belt, sporran, hose, and flashes that I'd wear anytime, and add the ghillie/pirate/puffy shirts, vest, drinking mug and holder, and 'fantasy ghillie' shoes for faire. I never wear those style shirts anywhere else but faire, though I've seen photos of folks wearing them at games and weddings etc., even in Scotland. Also in this photo, I'm sporting a leather tam, but I wear 'regular' bonnets sometimes as well.
These are simple and comfy getups that I don't need to think too much about putting on in the morning. They have no historical basis whatsoever! You won't see me wearing anything too fancy or 'outlandish', because outlandish to me equals heavy and complicated, same for big swords, targes and other hardware, the Braveheart claymore looks cool, but I don't want to carry it all over a 30 acre faireground all day.

So, have fun, put together something you like, wear your kilt, have fun, and don't worry about the kilt police and garb nazis.

[azwildcat96]

Zardoz, in your description of your attire, you missed one thing...you forgot to mention that you are also wearing a fine young lass on your right arm in each of the photos.

[Zardoz]

Zardoz, in your description of your attire, you missed one thing...you forgot to mention that you are also wearing a fine young lass on your right arm in each of the photos.

Fine young lasses are of course optional, but as a general rule I don't leave home without at least two.

[Woodsheal]

My reenactment background is authentic-as-possible "living history" in the American Civil War and 18th C. periods. So, when I dress up for RenFaire I can't restrain myself from going for a "period correct" look. For a 1690s highlander that consists a linen shirt of correct pattern (NOT a "ghillie" shirt), belted plaid, doublet, sewn tartan hose (cadadh), knitted "broad bonnet", and period footwear. Basically this look, minus the firearm:



Or this if it's real hot - going as a "commoner":

[NewEnglander]

I'm actually heading to a Faire here in CT this weekend (http://www.ctfaire.com/fall/). This past spring I wore my wool kilt, traditional hose and low brown leather boots, and my brown kilt belt and day sporran with the only nod to the Faire being a ghillie shirt and a pewter tankard tied to my belt.



This weekend I'll be going with a few of my family members so I'm thinking of wearing a plain navy blue button-down sport shirt instead of the ghillie this time. I'm trying to get my cousin into a kilt for the first time so I'm thinking the closer to "normal" wardrobe is for the rest of the clan the better. Baby steps...
Either way it'll be far more comfortable than the 30lbs of chainmail I wore last fall!

[scoutman77]

If it weren't for the Renaissance Festival in Min. I probably wouldn't be as interested in wearing a kilt or have found this forum. Judging from the costumes there, it wont matter what you wear as I think its more of the spirit than the letter. In fact that will probably be where I wear my first kilt in public. (or maybe on Halloween, but that one is made of fleece)(I know.... sacrilage! but it was cheap)

[troxel87]

I actually got my first kilt from the ren faire. That's exactly what got me into donning the kilt on a regular basis! As long as you feel comfortable wearing it, wear it.