Renfaire observations

[kingandrew]

The Ren Faire certainly attracts a lot of fantasy and cosplay types. It's become a big like an open-air Comic-Con over the years.

Even decades ago, when there was more of an effort at being "period," the setting was usually supposed to be Elizabethan, but the costumes tended to either match the early Tudors (Henrys VII & VIII) of 50+ years earlier, or the Cavaliers of the English Civil War, which was 50 years later. Rarely have I seen a gent in a ruff, doublet, and Venetian breeches.

But that said, it is still a grand day out. And it is certainly one of the most accessible places for people to shop and try on a variety of kilts and related garb. I had been interested in kilts for a long time, but there aren't any kilt shops in the Orlando, Florida area. A kilt is a bit bigger purchase financially and emotionally than most people are prepared to make online, especially from a vendor they have never dealt with before. it just feels dicey.

I got my first kilt at the Ren Faire. It was a budget synthetic number in Royal Stewart, and came with a "starter kit" of accessories: small black tasseled sporran, sporran chain, kilt pin, flashes, and a sgian dubh. Although most of the elements were pretty cheapo and I replaced them quickly, it was an easy way to get started and prove to myself that I liked wearing the kilt and was ready to make a bigger investment/commitment. And it gave me some good items to pass on to other newbies trying to test out the waters.

I also got a couple of really nice "Jacobite' pirate shirts, that I still enjoy wearing with my kilt on casual occasions. They are also not really "period" for any time in the past, but are a viable look for today. One which is very popular with the general public--especially the ladies.

Now it is true that one will find a much better selection of kilt-related items at a Highland Games. But I'm afraid most folks won't be attending those until they have already decided that the kilt is for them. So the Ren Faire is still a great place for the kilting novice to get started.

Finally, there are often very good bagpipe performances at the Faire, from solo performers to full ensembles and even bagpipe rock bands like the mighty Tartanic.

Andrew

[dcommini]

My renfaire gear is anything but "correct" an acrylic great kilt in Royal Stewart with calf high (and stupid comfortable) peasant boots is not really fitting in any time period.
But that isn't the point....the point is to have fun with it.

Really...if one wants to be "correct" about 98 percent of those in costume ought to be dressed several paygrades lower...not everybody can be a Clan Chief...The same issue exists in the SCA...

I wore my greatkilt, sans kiltpin, with a plain natural colored linen shirt, a black bonnet, and black knee high rawhide boots. I was going for anything but a Scottish Noble, because there are never enough peasants at Renaissance Faires - everybody wants to be a knight or a Lord, but nobody wants to be the everyday folk.

Was my outfit historically accurate? I'm sure it wasn't entirely accurate, but then again neither were the people wearing Civil War era uniforms with papers pinned to their backs explaining Doc Brown had transported them back in time.

It was a fun time for my family (3 girls dressed up as princesses being escorted by their lowly peasant parents), and that's the important part.

[Katia]

I admit I have to agree with the "it's for fun" crowd. Unless one is in the SCA or very serious about attending a lot of ren faires, it's not entirely practical to expect someone to shell out a few hundred dollars to "do it right." I'm not sure I've ever heard of a service where you can merely rent the attire for the day instead of having to buy it and store it most of the year. Most people want to have fun once a year, if they go that often (back in college we didn't even bother every year; it was pretty much the same every year so we'd head out again every few years but didn't feel the need to go each year especially since admission is a bit expensive). As long as they don't claim to be authentic, why not let them have their fun? Heaven knows most of us spend enough time in stodgy everyday life with no chances to dress up in fun or fancy ways, and I'd jump at the chance myself, but I couldn't justify spending much to do so.

[Panache]

Personally I try hard not to worry too much about what other people wear at the Renaissance Faire anymore, especially for highlanders.

But that doesn't mean I don't don my great kilt and have fun!



Cheers

Jamie

[KMCMICHAEL]

Personally I try hard not to worry too much about what other people wear at the Renaissance Faire anymore, especially for highlanders.

But that doesn't mean I don't don my great kilt and have fun!



Cheers

Jamie

Damn sharp...but I doubt you get noticed. I am sure the lass gets the attention.