The Place of the Breacan Feile

[Vegan Scot]

Does the breacan feile fall into any categories of use besides white tie functions and reenactment clothing?

[JSFMACLJR]

Does the breacan feile fall into any categories of use besides white tie functions and reenactment clothing?

Who wears it for white tie events? I certainly don't.

[Zardoz]

I can't say I've actually seen anyone dressed so, but the Thompson book shows a gentleman wearing the breacan feile, Sheriffmuir doublet, badger sporran, castellated argyle hose and silver buckled shoes. He calls it the 'fullest of full dress".

[Vegan Scot]

I can't say I've actually seen anyone dressed so, but the Thompson book shows a gentleman wearing the breacan feile, Sheriffmuir doublet, badger sporran, castellated argyle hose and silver buckled shoes. He calls it the 'fullest of full dress".

Ha! I'll admit that was my only reference.

[Jock Scot]

I think we are heading into the realms of theory and practice here and I am finding it difficult to type as I am laughing so much. The stage, or a museum, are the only places for those things, no matter what any book says!

[figheadair]

I think we are heading into the realms of theory and practice here and I am finding it difficult to type as I am laughing so much. The stage, or a museum, are the only places for those things, no matter what any book says!

Allowing for re-enactors being a form of living history players I couldn't agree more.

[Bugbear]

It seems like Matt Newsome had an upper plaid that was belted on and wrapped when wearing a regular kilt, and I do think he was in some sort of formal attire, possibly black tie. That is not a breacan feile, though, more like a shoulder plaid.

I also seem to remember someone talking about wilderness hiking or something in a breacan feile of some sort, but I don't remember who it was or how it went. Might ask Tartan Hiker.

[Pleater]

Winter weight dressing gown.

Very cosy.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Urchurdan]

Winter weight dressing gown.

Very cosy.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[MacRobert's Reply]

Does the breacan feile fall into any categories of use besides white tie functions and reenactment clothing?

I think only the latter. I did conduct a wedding in a Scottish castle some years ago where the ushers wore the breacan feile but they were members of a living history society that the groom was also involved with. Their costumes included 18 Century style dirks and basket-hilted broadswords.

More recently, at my son's wedding ceilidh, one guest did turn up wearing the breacan feile as day wear. In Scottish terms he was a giant of a man, although in the US his height would be less remarkable. He wore it well and gave the impression that he was very confident dressed in this way. If this thread is still running when I get back to the UK, I will ask my son if he is part of a reenactment society or simply favours this form kilt ... and post a picture if I can find one.