Outlander Wardrobe and language

**Nathan** · 9th September 14, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by terry dresbach

A lot of the audience is complaining that they can't understand it NOW with the accent you are hearing.

First, thanks so much for participating in this discussion! This information age is truly amazing.
Next, I want to mention that I'm really enjoying the show.

I'm not surprised that people are having some trouble understanding. A Highland accent is much easier to understand than a Lowland accent with Scots vocabulary mixed in. A trip to speak to old people in the Hebrides would illustrate my point. I was also surprised that there were no subtitles on the Gaelic.

Regarding cloth, Peter MacDonald, @figheadair who asked you about the tartan colours and weaving techniques is a leading scholar on the subject of textiles of the period. Perhaps you've stumbled upon a valuable resource.

My understanding is that bonnets would be blue and felted as was the fashion of the period.

I'm aware it's not a documentary and I understand about the need to use sewing machines etc... but if a more accurate garment could be produced in the same time at the same cost, why not do so?

I'll read your blog with interest.

**terry dresbach** · 9th September 14, 04:44 AM

Tartan.jpg Here is a piece of our tartan.

**figheadair** · 9th September 14, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by terry dresbach

Tartan.jpg Here is a piece of our tartan.

In the spirit of Nathan's comments and from an historical perspective, I would have preferred to see at least some traditional type designs and weave. Colours like these could easily have been achieved in the 18th Century but the fashion was for brighter colours and in particular any shade of red (from pink to rust). Almost all tartan of that period was woven in a 2/2 twill as it's structurally stonger. This plain weave wouldn't take nearly as much punishment and certainly wouldn't keep one as warm.

**Dale Seago** · 9th September 14, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

In the spirit of Nathan's comments and from an historical perspective, I would have preferred to see at least some traditional type designs and weave. Colours like these could easily have been achieved in the 18th Century but the fashion was for brighter colours and in particular any shade of red (from pink to rust). Almost all tartan of that period was woven in a 2/2 twill as it's structurally stonger. This plain weave wouldn't take nearly as much punishment and certainly wouldn't keep one as warm.

Terry, what Peter says here is quite true. Re: Plain vs. twill weave, I have a kilt (the one in my current profile pic, in fact) of Islay Tweed, from the same mill and in the same pattern originally created for Liam Neeson to wear as Rob Roy MacGregor. Superficially it looks very robust, thick, rustic/"earthy", warm -- and I suspect those were considerations in the choice of cloth for Outlander. But this, for me, is one of my "warm to cool" weather kilts, not something I'd want to wear in cold weather. Here's a shot of the pleating with good detail:

As far as colors and patterns of the time are concerned, here's a frontal shot of another of my kilts. This tartan is referred to as Old Culloden and is one with which Peter is, let's say, intimately familiar. ;)

**terry dresbach** · 9th September 14, 12:23 PM

Beautiful! I know those both well, and the first one is one of my favorites. I have gathered quite a few antique tartan books, and they are amazing.

**terry dresbach** · 9th September 14, 12:26 PM

BTW, my husband Ron, is now quite an avid kilt wearer. He wears them all the time, and has warm weather (southern California) kilts, and cool weather (Scotland) kilts. Two different animals.

**terry dresbach** · 10th September 14, 12:49 AM

I just realized I did not quote the posts I was replying to! It has been awhile since I posted on a forum. Sorry about that. Do my posts make an ounce of sense????

**Steve Ashton** · 10th September 14, 01:06 AM

Terry,

I think we can cut you some slack. We can understand that some people have jobs and can't spend all day talking about kilts.

And by the way, now that Ron is a kiltie, if you ever come back up to Vancouver I would be honored to host both of you at Freedom Kilts and the home of X Marks. Perhaps we could get you both to sign the logbook of our Quaich next to Diana Gabaldon.

**Calgacus** · 10th September 14, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by terry dresbach

I just realized I did not quote the posts I was replying to! It has been awhile since I posted on a forum. Sorry about that. Do my posts make an ounce of sense????

Haha, don't worry, they made sense to me at least

**HootinHoller** · 10th September 14, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by terry dresbach

I just realized I did not quote the posts I was replying to! It has been awhile since I posted on a forum. Sorry about that. Do my posts make an ounce of sense????

LOL, I was going to send you a note asking you to reply with quotes. I didn't want to be off putting towards your kindness of spending some time with us. I very much appreciate hearing from you. My cousin is a costume designer (currently teaching at Penn State) and I love hearing about the trade-offs you've had to make.

Welcome to X-Marks from a relative newby.