...kilted to medieval festival

[Geoff Withnell]

Matt,
How would you suggest that those of us to whom the kilt is regular street clothes deal with the situation? I have noticed that at such events, even wearing an obviously modern contemporary kilt and something as non-medieval as a Nike polo shirt, people assume I am in "garb".

I don't know that I would agree with the above statement. I think in terms of general clothing wear, then yes, it is true enough. But if you are attending a medieval themed event then it makes sense to either a) dress as best one can in medieval style clothing, so as to fit in with the spirit of the event, or b) wear regular street clothes and attend as a spectator (assuming it is an event open to the general public, and not one requiring participants to be in costume).

I think dressing in a style that is obviously not ordinary street wear, yet is not in any way in keeping with the stated theme of the event, can not only confuse other attendees but also is not very respectful of the spirit of the event, or those who organized it.

It would be a bit like me attending a local Civil War reenactment, but dressing as a Maori warrior because I wanted an excuse to wear my face paints, or dressing a Viking, because the tunics are just so comfortable. Neither would be in keeping with the spirit of the event.

[Woodsheal]

Matt,
How would you suggest that those of us to whom the kilt is regular street clothes deal with the situation? I have noticed that at such events, even wearing an obviously modern contemporary kilt and something as non-medieval as a Nike polo shirt, people assume I am in "garb".

I think that if you attend as a spectator in an obviously modern kilt, with modern shirt & shoes, etc., you are doing no wrong and not trying to present yourself as a participant. Only a complete idiot would view your modern get-up as a medieval costume!
The guys that bother me are the ones who try to dress up a modern kilt with what they consider historic elements, and pass themselves off as being in "period" garb for such an event....