Kilted at a renfair.

[PiobBear]

[Woodsheal]

This look - especially considering the basket hilt sword - is appropriate for 1590's (just barely!) thru 1746. Of course the 3-drone pipes are a later development ....

[Nighthawk]

My understanding is that the little (as in filed begh or however the heck you spell it) is correct for the late Rennaisance/ early Enlightment. It was just starting to come into fashion, along with a long plaid. I could be wrong- I have only read one book on the subject, and it was short with mostly pictures and paintings to go by- but those paintings are what I have based my costume around.

[Nick the DSM]

well, if theyre having fun wearing it, i dont see a problem.

[Woodsheal]

My understanding is that the little (as in filed begh or however the heck you spell it) is correct for the late Rennaisance/ early Enlightment. It was just starting to come into fashion, along with a long plaid. I could be wrong- I have only read one book on the subject, and it was short with mostly pictures and paintings to go by- but those paintings are what I have based my costume around.

The "philabeg" or little kilt dates no earlier than the very-late 1600s, or perhaps not till the 1720s, if you buy the Englishman Rawlinson theory, which many scholars do:
http://www.reconstructinghistory.com...=&g=&a=130&w=2

[beowulf67]

Last Ren Faire I went to I wore my kilt. It's not period, I know, but it's comfy.

And it was alot more comfy, and closer to period, than the Imperial Stormtrooper I saw, I would imagine. Or the guys wearing the long monk-like garments with Starfleet insignia on them.

So I don't worry about my outfit too much.

[Andrew Green]

"I'd wear a little kilt to a renfair... of course I would and do wear a kilt to lots of other places as well. The little kilt is a dang sight more comfortable and flattering than a pair of green tights!!"

Exactly.
The part the seriously gets me is that I have seen people running around in modern highland dress (I'm talking balmorals and glengarries, along with what look like sport coats, or perhaps montrose knock offs)... just torques me the wrong way.

Though, last time I went, I saw a few well done belted plaides, and a few obvious blankets (although the pleating was well done, the material could have used help). One dude even had a really nice leine (although bright white) to go with an earth toned feilidh mohr.

[bubba]

As for what's correct or appropriate, I like this quote from W Gordon Smith.
This tartan obsession … prior to Walter Scott the average clan gathering looked like a pile of tattie bags

[PiobBear]

This look - especially considering the basket hilt sword - is appropriate for 1590's (just barely!) thru 1746. Of course the 3-drone pipes are a later development ....

Ren Fairs are not places to worry about what is or is not period.

Thank you for the history lesson. I personally don't care to go about barefoot in a léine & tartaine, and according to Joseph MacDonald's "Compleat Theory of the Scots Highland Bagpipe", by 1760 the three drone configuration of a bass and two tenor drones was sufficiently well established to be considered representative of the type. It's certainly been my experience that when someone hires a piper, they expect a kilt; I doubt I'd get nearly as many gigs wearing something that looks like a maiden's shift and a horse blanket, and I'd certainly hate to dissapoint my creditors. Besides, I seriously doubt that my wife (or other clients) would go for the long hair, long beard, and long term lack of personal hygeine true period authenticity would require...and then there are my failings in archaic Gaelic and piobaireachd...but hey; all life involves compromise.

Illustration from MacDonald, c. 1762

[Jimmy the Celt]

While historical accuracy is an aim of SCA events, the more important aspect [to me] is the educational / study side of things. Events are more for fun, though some take it extremely seriously. It's good to have a balance between the two.