Solid Color Great Kilt?

[sharpdressedscot]

Solid black?

[Farlander]

Solid black?

I particularly like the look of black kilts. There are sheep with black wool, so, a black wool kilt could exist using period methods.

The natural dying processes of the period made black a very difficult color to make and maintain (it would typically quickly fade). This is at least the reason given for why many Ren Fares reserve black for the nobility only.

[Jack Daw]

Yeah, I've definitely considered that. The earliest literary reference to a definite belted plaid is from - what? the late 1500's? So for a festival depicting the first half of the 1500's the great kilt might be a bit post-period, though I think it's close enough for most people to overlook it, if they are aware of it at all.

Okay, so I think there's a definite historical precedent for wearing solid color wools; red, at least, and probably other natural wool colors, like brown, off-white, black and gray. Uncommon, perhaps, but practiced nonetheless. What other solid colors might be correct? Like Beliotpiper mentioned, historical accuracy is played somewhat fast and loose at most ren-fests, so I'm not overly concerned as far as that goes, but I'd still like to go with something that I can feel is at least reasonably correct. If nothing else it will give me an informed answer to those who might criticize my choice to wear a solid instead of a pattern.

~Ken

The first recorded reference to wearing the GK was in fact in the late 16th C, but that does not mean that it wasn't worn before that. (I wore the great kilt several months before I was ever photographed in it.) Wear it with confidence. I'd go with a wool in 13 oz. Anything lighter and you'll have to worry about the wind blowing the pleats up. I have a 13 oz wool GK and I'm glad I didn't get anything lighter or heavier.

[RadioKen]

I particularly like the look of black kilts. There are sheep with black wool, so, a black wool kilt could exist using period methods.

My wife has also indicated that she thinks a black kilt would look smashing. (Not her exact words - she would never use 'smashing' - but the sentiment was the same.) And I agree, albeit without knowing much about wool or spinning or weaving: Black sheep = black wool = black fabric that doesn't fade like that which is dyed.

I'd go with a wool in 13 oz. Anything lighter and you'll have to worry about the wind blowing the pleats up. I have a 13 oz wool GK and I'm glad I didn't get anything lighter or heavier.

That's the sort of information for which I was looking. On the off chance (make that likely chance) that I can't find (affordable) 100% wool, would a wool blend or PV be similarly gauged? I mean, would 13oz. wool have the same or similar 'heft' as 13oz. PV?

~Ken

[Farlander]

PV kilts are often ~11oz. PV is not as dense as wool, so 11oz is similar in thickness as 13oz wool. PV is also comparatively affordable at ~$15 meter.

[Woodsheal]

Just don't wear synthetics if you're going to be near any camp fires or other open flames. No one wants a polyester melt-down in their lap...!

[Jack Daw]

My wife has also indicated that she thinks a black kilt would look smashing. (Not her exact words - she would never use 'smashing' - but the sentiment was the same.) And I agree, albeit without knowing much about wool or spinning or weaving: Black sheep = black wool = black fabric that doesn't fade like that which is dyed.



That's the sort of information for which I was looking. On the off chance (make that likely chance) that I can't find (affordable) 100% wool, would a wool blend or PV be similarly gauged? I mean, would 13oz. wool have the same or similar 'heft' as 13oz. PV?

~Ken

Candidly, I dunno, RadioKen. Sounds like Farlander's got the poop.

[Sir Robert]

On finding material but a wool blend would work quite well. I have had zero luck finding pure wool anywhere.

A very likely period solid color is "Hoden" a light grey. No dye needed just mix white and black wool as you pull the wool into threads.

Hoden was said to have been worn by highlanders wishing to blend into the heather.

[Jack Daw]

BTW, regarding solid-color great kilts, R.R. MacIan's depiction of "MacIntire" (my surname) features such...

[RadioKen]

On finding material but a wool blend would work quite well. I have had zero luck finding pure wool anywhere.

That has been my concern as well: That 100% wool in the weight I'm seeking, in the color I'm seeking, and (most importantly) in the price range I'm seeking may be difficult, if not impossible, to find locally. I have some wool blend fabric that I bought something like 20 years ago for some long tunics I used when I was in the SCA; it was sold as 'washable wool'. It was great and would be perfect, only I haven't been able to find it again in any fabric store.

A very likely period solid color is "Hoden" a light grey. No dye needed just mix white and black wool as you pull the wool into threads.

Hoden was said to have been worn by highlanders wishing to blend into the heather.

Yes, I think that if I can't find black, I will try to find something similar to that. I have a wool blend fabric (at least, I THINK it's a wool blend) that's a sort of dark grayish-brown that looks like the pictures of hodden that I've seen, only it's about a shade or two darker. That would be great...if I had enough of it to make a great kilt! As it is, I'm using it to experiment with making an X-kilt (nine months and I'm still working on that project).

There are a couple of discount/clearance fabric stores in Dallas that we're going to visit over the next week, and I'm hopeful that I'll find something at one of them.

~Ken