civil war jackets

[Joseph]

Unfortunately there are many reenactors who adopt the "they would have used it if they had it" approach to authenticity and think that because something was possible it's acceptable to incorporate it into a historical impression. And, since it's a logical impossibility to prove that something never happened, they'll attempt to justify all kinds of things as "authentic".

Absent any evidence that it ever actually happened, I'll confidently maintain that it did not.

Your claim that there is no evidence was already disproven by pictures earlier in the thread. Anyone who cares to search and prove (I don't) more extensively can do so. I am more interested in the topic of the fact that Civil War Soldiers DID wear kilts sometimes than WHY others shouldn't do so now.

And even if they didn't, my desire to do so would have nothing to with re enactments at this point since I don't do those. However in my hometown I have watched many, as well as vintage baseball games at the same events. Historic Jefferson College.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffers...e_(Mississippi)

[Scout]

Your claim that there is no evidence was already disproven by pictures earlier in the thread...

Joseph, with the exception of some studio portraits possibly of soldiers from the 79th New York, your photos are of modern day reenactors wearing the "costumes" I describes in my original post. Studio portraits from the era are hardly representative of what soldiers actually wore. Much of the time they're bedecked with photographer's props rather than the soldier's actual uniforms and equipment (think of the images of soldiers brandishing multiple pistols with huge knives stuck in their belts, enlisted infantrymen wielding cavalry sabers, etc.)

Especially at the outset of the war, a number of units, north and south, had a variety of outlandish uniforms (the Zouave units for example) that generally proved impractical in the field and were quickly abandoned for more practical clothing. Such was the case with the 79th NY who my research leads me to believe never actually took the field wearing anything other than the typical Federal issue uniforms.

The bottom line is simple. If you want to wear your shell jacket with your kilt go right ahead. As is often said here there are no "kilt police". I just think that it's more than a stretch to think that it in any way represents what a Civil War soldier ever wore.

[Joseph]

Thanks for all those clarifications and definitions. I never thought those were all authentic pics. I also don't feel a need to define the obvious. Some are authentic, some are excellent examples of people making it work with honor. You can pick which is which easily.

I entered the conversation originally more interested in making appropriate outfits. The re enactor gurus have made it clear that kilts would never be appropriate for an authentic re enactment. I have no quarrel with that.

So now the comments are more killing the topic than accomplishing anything new. Can it be revived to talk about something interesting? I hope so. I like spending time here.

[Joseph]

1) The original poster asked re-enactors (since I am not one I probably should have kept quiet) if "they" ever used kilts with their coats.

2) I have had a very similar idea for "outfits". Reread all my posts with that mindset as the beginning before the conversation evolved.

3) Others began posting how bad of an idea it is, wrong, and ridiculous looking.

4) It became apearant at page # 2 post #20 no one realized what I was talking about. I should have been more clear that I have no authority over the Park Services established methods of re-enacting. And though something is certainly possible, or even workable. Does not mean it is accepted at those events.

[Alan H]

I just went through this thread and something pops out in my mind. To me, it's incredibly obvious....

First, the OP wrote a question about whether anybody paired up Civil War jackets with their kilts. He didn't ask if people did that as part of a re-enactment, he asked it in the CONTEMPORARY KILT FORUM. If he'd wanted to ask re-enactors if they wore kilts with Civil War-style jackets, would he have come to the CONTEMPORARY KILT FORUM to do it? I rather don't think so.

This is the CONTEMPORARY KILT FORUM, yes? Let's all consider the meaning of the word "Contemporary".

To me, that would suggest that he was asking about wearing such a garment, "out and about", right now in 2014 and not as part of an actual re-enactment activity. Within 3 posts, a bunch of traditional re-enactment fellows are swarming him, complaining about how the look isn't traditional or authentic. This then goes on for three pages, on and on and on, ragging on the guy and debating the gory details of what's authentic and what's not when it comes to Civil War Re-Enactment.

Can I point out again that this is the CONTEMPORARY KILT FORUM?

How can I hammer this home in the X Marks collective consciousness?

You're entitled to discuss Civil War Re-Enactment stuff if you want to, in the Miscellaneous forum, or if it's kilt-related, in other forums here on X Marks. Go for it, knock yourself out. But this is the--

CONTEMPORARY KILT FORUM

Let's all think about what that means, for a moment, eh?

[Scout]

Alan makes an excellent point and in all honesty I never even realized that this is in the contemporary forum.

Today in 2014? Wear what you like! Again, there are no "kilt police" at lease none with any authority! My apologies as I clearly took this off on a track that was different from the original intent.

[Alan H]

rebelrouser, maybe you could clarify what you had in mind?

I don't actually know the type of jacket you're proposing. Got a picture? I'd be interested in seeing one. I've considered getting an Ike Jacket to wear with kilts, just haven't done it because of the expense.

[macwilkin]

Alan makes an excellent point and in all honesty I never even realized that this is in the contemporary forum.

Today in 2014? Wear what you like! Again, there are no "kilt police" at lease none with any authority! My apologies as I clearly took this off on a track that was different from the original intent.

I would second Scout's comments and offer my apologies as well for any offence caused, and I will delete my posts.

T.

[macwilkin]

Perhaps rebelrouser would be open to Alan's suggestion that this thread be moved to another forum to avoid potential confusion over "historical" clothing in the "contemporary" forum?

[Alan H]

I'm not sure the thread needs to be moved. It depends on what rebelrouser is asking.

If he's asking..."Hey guys, have any of you ever worn Civil War era jackets with your contemporary kilts?" then no need to move it.

If he's asking .... "Hey guys, I want to wear my Civil War Jacket as part of a costume that's supposed to be authentic to the Civil War Era, can you help me out, here?"...then absolutely, should consider moving it.