Renaissance Faire wear - what's the consensus?

[Geoff Withnell]

I often dress as usual - kilt, contemporary or tartan depending on my mood, a shirt (t, polo, sport, dress, again on my mood), kilt hose, some sort of shoes, caubeen, sgian dubh, etc. I love getting complimented on my "garb", because then I can look blank and say "What garb?".

Geoff Withnell

[Tobus]

Thanks for all the replies!

I suppose my dilemma is that I don't have a 'period' costume, although I do have a puffy shirt that my wife made (sort of like a 'ghillie shirt' but without the laces on the front, and very billowy sleeves).

I'll just wear what's comfortable. I'm sure no one will nit-pick my gear. They'll be too busy ogling the fairies and the people walking around in nothing but skimpy chain mail.

[NewEnglander]

I ended up wearing my "peasant" shirt (like a ghillie shirt, but with buttons instead of laces) along with my 5 yd. wool muted MacPherson, low brown boots and lovat blue hose to the CT Ren Faire today. At one point a vendor asked if I was a vendor as well, seeing as how I had such a complete and solid outfit. That being said, I was glad I had tossed a t-shirt and flip flops in the car for the ride home -- we ended up stopping for dinner at a Mexican place and I had my first true kilt-in-public experience. If anyone said anything the mariachi band was so loud I didn't hear a thing!

[Bob C]

When I go to Ren faires, I typically wear khaki shorts and a polo shirt. Sometimes a T shirt. I've been known to sport the Tilley hat or a baseball cap, too.

[Teufel Hunden]

I wear my own bastardized version of a kilted wanderer type attire. No where near period accurate, just fun and my own style.

Me and my wench behind me, featuring a MacDonald of the Isles hunting tartan.





Different view of the shirt. My photographer friend is the grand champion of capturing less than flattering poses, so here's me enjoying a sip of Mike's Hard Pomegranate while apparently pondering some deep thoughts.

[KEArnold]

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":

Your costumes are wonderful. Questions: 1 - what is a 'correct pattern' shirt?
2- Is your sporran attached to the kilt belt or belted with a separate smaller one?

[Chainsaw02]

See my avitar. I love Ren Faires and the wenches.

Lord Chainsaw of Maclaineshire

[Woodsheal]

Your costumes are wonderful. Questions: 1 - what is a 'correct pattern' shirt?
2- Is your sporran attached to the kilt belt or belted with a separate smaller one?

Here's a good shirt pattern:
https://www.reconstructinghistory.co...&q=3&p=32&w=21

The sporran and dirk hang directly from the waistbelt, as was the practice in that period....

[Kilted Rogue]

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?

Scottish pirates you say

How about Red Legs Greaves. A scottish pirate around the 1670

[KEArnold]

Here's a good shirt pattern:
https://www.reconstructinghistory.co...&q=3&p=32&w=21

The sporran and dirk hang directly from the waistbelt, as was the practice in that period....

Thank you sir, that is a big help.