Kilted for Pirate LARP (Live Action Role-Play)

**Kirika** · 9th August 11, 06:33 AM

So this past weekend I had the opportunity to take part in a pirate themed LARP game. I decided to don my black X-Kilt for the weekend, as I couldn't really pass up a chance to wear it out, and I expected it'd go nicely in a pirate-type outfit. On Friday afternoon, just a bit before the game officially started, I received the first comment about it, from one of the game designers who I've met a few times before (while kilted, even), who wanted to express again how much he loved my kilt. That was definitely a good start for the weekend, which entailed much trekking around in search of treasure, fighting, looting and such. During breakfast on Saturday morning the kilt helped start up a chat with a lovely young lass from the gypsy pirate ship; a conversation which included multiple compliments on the kilt, and lasted throughout the weekend ^_^. After the game officially ended on Saturday evening, a bonfire was lit, and much of the night was spent listening to fellow players singing, telling stories and such. Around 1 AM I struck up a conversation with some of the veterans in the group, and while talking two of the guys expressed a desire to have X-Kilts of their own. I ended up taking down some email info, and just sent them links for the PDF pattern and to XMtS.

(Oh, I was asked "The Question" (innocently, however) for the first time, by a nice elderly gent. My response was essentially "It depends on who is wearing it, and the circumstances." As some small children were playing, combined with the fact that running, combat, (or crawling through a small tube, which I had to do quickly to save my crew from being crushed by a spiked door, kilted ;p) etc can result in tumbles and such, I did go with an extra level of protection (unbeknownst to anyone else), as I didn't want to accidentally flash anyone ;P)

Overall a fantastic time, accentuated by so much positive feedback. Once I receive some photos I'll try to post a few.

**Woodsheal** · 9th August 11, 09:20 AM

I know it's all in fun, and historic accuracy is not a major concern at LARP events, blah, blah, blah, but if one is going to a pirate-themed affair, why not actually wear pirate/seaman garb (which does NOT include kilts!)?

Yeah, yeah; I'm a stick-in-the-mud, I know...!

**Kirika** · 9th August 11, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I know it's all in fun, and historic accuracy is not a major concern at LARP events, blah, blah, blah, but if one is going to a pirate-themed affair, why not actually wear pirate/seaman garb (which does NOT include kilts!)?

Yeah, yeah; I'm a stick-in-the-mud, I know...!

Well, as you said 100% historical accuracy wasn't necessary, imho, as it was a fantasy pirate theme (magic, ghosts, skeletons and etc). The rest of my outfit was still pretty pirate-y, with a traditional shirt, jewelry, long hair and such. If I was participating in an actual reenactment, I'd obviously stay more traditional.

And frankly, I just wanted to wear the kilt, as I love it. ;P

**Burly Brute** · 9th August 11, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I know it's all in fun, and historic accuracy is not a major concern at LARP events, blah, blah, blah, but if one is going to a pirate-themed affair, why not actually wear pirate/seaman garb (which does NOT include kilts!)?

Yeah, yeah; I'm a stick-in-the-mud, I know...!

Heh, you make it sound so easy, but how does one find a parrot on such short notice? :P

**Joshua** · 9th August 11, 09:49 AM

Hey, if modern kiltwear can steal Pirate-shirts and call them "Jacobite" (barf), why can't a fantasy RPG include pirates in kilts?

**gary meakin** · 9th August 11, 10:40 AM

William "Captain" Kidd
famous Scottish pirate
(weak justification but justification none-the-less)

**Woodsheal** · 9th August 11, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by gpmeakin

William "Captain" Kidd
famous Scottish pirate
(weak justification but justification none-the-less)

There were numerous Scottish pirates, famous and otherwise. But, sad to say, they did not wear kilts at sea, or at pirate ports of call. Besides, few if any were Highland clansmen (the ONLY folks wearing kilts ca. 1650-1720)!

Not that it matters. LARP is not "living history", and I see that "fantasy pirates" are an accepted substratum of the "pirate community":
http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/groups.htm

**Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM** · 9th August 11, 01:55 PM

As far as I can tell, however, it didn't really happen as I can not see any pictures

**Bugbear** · 9th August 11, 01:56 PM

I know of a 1773 description of a kilted rowboat captain in the Western Isles, but that doesn't amount to a pirate.
Dar....

**Teufel Hunden** · 9th August 11, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I know it's all in fun, and historic accuracy is not a major concern at LARP events, blah, blah, blah, but if one is going to a pirate-themed affair, why not actually wear pirate/seaman garb (which does NOT include kilts!)?

Yeah, yeah; I'm a stick-in-the-mud, I know...!

Honestly, I enjoy fantasy costume much more for the specific reason that kilts were either extremely rare or non existent during my favorite time periods.

My friends and I would rather be kilted, so if we're going out in a costume anyway, it always leans much further toward the fun category than the period accurate one.

Pirate isn't really my style though... but if I did attend something like that, I'd either throw in a kilt or something else that pirates didn't really wear.