Outlander Wardrobe and language

**Nathan** · 8th September 14, 05:06 AM

There's another very lengthy thread about the TV adaptation of The Outlander books, but I think it would be great to have a thread that just dealt with the accuracy of the garments chosen for the show.

To those who are very versed in the textiles of the era, how does the show do? Is it spot on or Hollywood Brigadoonery?

As an aside, when I first watched it, I was bothered by the Scots accents and dialectical choices of these Highlanders when they speak English. I would expect a Gaelic speaking Highlander to have a more Gaelic, Highland accent when speaking English that is somewhat more reminiscent of Hiberno English than Lallans. They use many terms like "ken" etc... that are identifiably Scottish but would they have been common in that region? I suppose if these Gaels learned their Inglis from Lowland Scots, it could be explained, but it still seems a stretch to me based on the current accents in Cape Breton and the Scottish Gàidhealtachd.

Just thought a more focused discussion on the historical accuracy of the clothing.

**figheadair** · 8th September 14, 07:00 AM

I've not seen the actual show so am relying on pictures and clips but as I observed in the other thread (#182), not only is the tartan historically inaccurate but the plaid is made from double width cloth with an unfinished edge rather than a selvedge. Boots and hose - unlikely etc, etc.

As for the accents, I expect the producers were aiming for something that wasn't American or Queen's English and therefore anything vaguely Scottish was perceived as 'in keeping'.

**Dale Seago** · 8th September 14, 07:29 AM

As far as clothing goes, it was by no means universal but quite common for jackets and waistcoats to be of tartan, and often of different tartans than that of the belted plaid or philabeg. Having the jacket and waistcoat not be the same color was "in" for the period.

I'm seeing too many beards: the norm for Scottish males at the time was to be clean-shaven, more or less.

Colum's dress dirk in Episode 4 is anachronistic, the handle shape being circa 1800. They pretty much get it right with other dirks I've seen, though. Also, it was common for baskethilt swords of the time to have either a full or partial basket liner of hardened leather to give the hand further protection from sharp points coming at the basket.

You can get a better sense of what I mean about the dirks and swords from this picture of my own broadsword and one of my dirks.

**creagdhubh** · 8th September 14, 07:38 AM

Whereas I am quite fond of the series thus far (I have yet to read the books), I will say that I would have preferred to see the Highlanders dressed in more vibrant tartans, especially red-based tartans, which seemed to be in vogue at the time. However, I understand the producers, director, screenwriters, costume designer, et al, obviously wanted to have the costumes reflect more of an earthy and rugged look reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. The myriad array of knitted items that much of the cast of characters wear seem a bit too modern to my eye, as well. As Peter eluded to, the boots and hose when worn with the kilt look a bit off too. Is there any historical evidence that would suggest this was even done? I've always understood that the vast majority of Highlanders (keeping rank and social status in mind) during the 18th century wore brogans, buckled shoes, or simply went barefoot.

**Elizabeth** · 8th September 14, 10:02 AM

Here is Terry Dresbach's website to see stills of some of the costuming and blog posts about her design process.
http://terrydresbach.com/

**walkerk** · 8th September 14, 10:18 AM

It's a television show based on a romance novel. If it's historical accuracy you're seeking, look elsewhere. The errors in the presentation of time travel alone were astounding.

**creagdhubh** · 8th September 14, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by walkerk

It's a television show based on a romance novel. If it's historical accuracy you're seeking, look elsewhere. The errors in the presentation of time travel alone were astounding.

Well, there's nothing wrong with discussing it. Especially on a kilt forum.

**Panache** · 8th September 14, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by walkerk

...The errors in the presentation of time travel alone were astounding.

No TARDIS?

**Nathan** · 8th September 14, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by walkerk

It's a television show based on a romance novel. If it's historical accuracy you're seeking, look elsewhere. The errors in the presentation of time travel alone were astounding.

I'm not looking for historical accuracy there, but I am looking for it here. I need to know how much this show is leading me astray from understanding how my people lived and dressed in that era. Costume dramas are best when they get the costumes right, though.

**figheadair** · 8th September 14, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

Here is Terry Dresbach's website to see stills of some of the costuming and blog posts about her design process.
http://terrydresbach.com/

Interesting. I would describe the 'Green Plaid' as tweed, not tartan,because of the use of mixture yarn which is a feature of tweed and not traditional tartan. similarly, this one.

This style of dress with an insert bodice is unlike anything of the period that I've seen.

This style of dirk is too early for the period too.

Kilted on horse back? Trews were normally worn for riding and it would have been simple to get that right. Oh and did I mention the boots and hose?

With so much historical evidence around in the form of paintings, drawings and descriptions it's a shame that more attention wasn't paid to source material.