Renfaire observations

[Benning Boy]

Sunday the wife and I went to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. She had never been before and the last time I went was way back in the last century.

A few observations on kilts. First, I saw no one attempting the great kilt look, and am glad for it. From everything I read here it isn't usually carried off well. I did see a vendor in a McClaren tartan kilt probably from Stillwater, as I have one like it. However he was wearing a leather bonnet and lots of fantasy items. I don't know what era he expected to represent but it must be one the earth has not seen yet. Another chap girded his loins in a Sportkilt, again with lots of fantasy dodads dangling from his belt and a black pirate shirt. His kilt was worn sagging like a teenager's jeans and below the knees. Like wise a second was seen in some sort of box pleat kilt sagging and below the knees, it above some swashbuckler's boots. To me the funniest look was that of a youngish grown man of small stature with a child in hand. His fresh lookong Black Watch kilt, although worn at the waist, reached well below his knees giving it a true skirt look. The fell extend way below his butt. No doubt his kilt was a ready made acrylic with the usual 24-inch drop.

As we all know our modern made kilts weren't to be found in the Renaissance, which no doubt leads many to embrace the fantasy look with mixed attire and ornamentation. I think it would be nice if some at least tried to be authentic in their dress as it would be a more attractive look than the hodge podge all at the fest embraced.

As for me imade no effort to appear Renaissance-ish. Instead it was my new Chattahoochee kilt by Barb T., a pilot shirt and hose in a matching shade of blue, and a gray bonnet from Historical Caps. Normally I would have gone bare headed, but I'm growing my hair out long and right now it is too short for a pony tail but long enough to be a nuisance so bonnets are of growing importance. If i do say so myself i was one of the best dressed in the entire throng and certainly the best turned out kiltoid on the grounds. A trans man cum woman seemed to take a bit more interest than any one else. Something was working.

Kilting at Renfests is a popular activity however to me me if the kilts were worn properly, even if the be great kilts they would lend more color to the affair than those worn like rags. That to me is especially true for brothers of the Rabble. We know better. Please show it.