Jacobite Kilt Wear Question

**Benning Boy** · 6th July 17, 07:58 PM

It will be a difficult search, but I recall some time ago one of the rable posted pics of his Jacobite era fashion. It was all made by a kilt maker in France kown as Lady something or other, but I'm sure it wasn't Lady Sonya. If you search enough you might find the pics.

He wore a sleeved waistcoat and great kilt with bag hose. It looked like a nice ensemble. Perhaps, if you can find the post there will be inspiration there.

**figheadair** · 6th July 17, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

It will be a difficult search, but I recall some time ago one of the rable posted pics of his Jacobite era fashion. It was all made by a kilt maker in France kown as Lady something or other, but I'm sure it wasn't Lady Sonya. If you search enough you might find the pics.

He wore a sleeved waistcoat and great kilt with bag hose. It looked like a nice ensemble. Perhaps, if you can find the post there will be inspiration there.

Lady Chrystel Kilts

**OC Richard** · 9th July 17, 08:04 AM

If I were playing harp I would wear trews.

Kilts really weren't designed for sitting.

I'm in that situation regularly, in that I play the uilleann pipes in addition to the Highland pipes.

I hate having to play uilleann pipes in kilts, but I have to when either I need to switch between Highland and uilleann pipes at the same gig, or it's an uilleann gig where the client insists on kilts.

Think about it: you're playing at a wedding or funeral service at a church, and they want you to sit up high so everybody can see you...

Now think if I were wearing the kilt! Not good.

Here's an 18th century seated musician in trews. I'd go with this.

This guy is doing OK for the moment... but why expose yourself to a potential problem?

**IsaacW** · 9th July 17, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

If I were playing harp I would wear trews.

Kilts really weren't designed for sitting.

I tend to agree very much with this.

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Here's an 18th century seated musician in trews. I'd go with this.

To be picky, I have to say that Gow is actually wearing breeks and tartan hose in the above image. He is shown wearing this combination elsewhere as well. It is quite noticeable when you see that the breeks/breeches are cut on the straight and the hose are on the bias. Historically speaking, this is an awesome combination. A chap I know that plays fiddle/violin has recently made a set like this from some tartan he got from Peter MacDonald and they look sharp as heck.

For a set of trews worn like this a bit later in the period...

Last summer I made a pair of trews and love them... http://frenchinwisconsin.com/2016/08...century-trews/
(edited to note that if OCRichard follows the link, he will be happy to see no catalin on the pipes I am playing. Unfortunately, they were a borrowed set. Some day in the future, I will have a set appropriate to 1790s).

**OC Richard** · 9th July 17, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by IsaacW

Gow is actually wearing breeks and tartan hose in the above image. He is shown wearing this combination elsewhere as well. It is quite noticeable when you see that the breeks/breeches are cut on the straight and the hose are on the bias. Historically speaking, this is an awesome combination. A chap I know that plays fiddle/violin has recently made a set like this from some tartan he got from Peter MacDonald and they look sharp as heck.

Yes of course you are correct. I'd love to see a photo of this fiddler wearing that combination!

**IsaacW** · 9th July 17, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I'd love to see a photo of this fiddler wearing that combination!

Ask and you shall receive...

**figheadair** · 9th July 17, 12:34 PM

[QUOTE=IsaacW;1343219]Ask and you shall receive...

Fantastic. This is the reconstruction of MacDonald of Kingsburgh I did but have never seen it made up. As I understand it, the fiddler is Yr of Kingsburgh.

**IsaacW** · 9th July 17, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Fantastic. This is the reconstruction of MacDonald of Kingsburgh I did but have never seen it made up. As I understand it, the fiddler is Yr of Kingsburgh.

The lad's name is Timothy MacDonald. I do not really know him well other than as an acquaintance via the internet and mutual reenacting friends.

**OC Richard** · 9th July 17, 05:30 PM

Thanks! A wonderful outfit.

Did such a fiddle and bow exist in the 18th century?

I can't remember, it can be Googled I'm sure, when the long bow came in, and when all the old violins had their fingerboards re-done.

**IsaacW** · 9th July 17, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Thanks! A wonderful outfit.

Did such a fiddle and bow exist in the 18th century?

I can't remember, it can be Googled I'm sure, when the long bow came in, and when all the old violins had their fingerboards re-done.

That bow came in some time in the last half of the century. The earlier Baroque bow was quite different though. I do not recall the dates as I am not a fiddle player, but I do like music and am a history nerd. Here is a nice period image highlighting the change...