The general opinion of Jacobite Shirts?

[Riverkilt]

I made the mistake of buying a few made from synthetic fibers and they are HOT HOT HOT...I do like the cotton ones for special occasions. My daughter sent me one with a plunging neckline and ruffles that shows off my chest tattoo nicely that is perfect for a romantic dance evening with my lady. Other than the synthetic ones I find the looseness much cooler on hot days/evenings.



And the looseness helps hide some of the fat on the olde guy.

Ron

[kevinkinney]

Howdy all,

I'm gonna sound like a dweeb here...

In our buggy neighborhood, we draw on the style and substance of historical clothing for one good reason- it performed pretty well as a way to keep humans alive and comfortable. We began to make our Heritage Shirt in response to a groups of locals who asked for them as outerwear.

While our big billowy shirt has appeal for people with a renfaire/reenactment bend, I've actually only worn mine 3 times with a Kilt, and a great kilt at that. Is it perfectly appropriate? I doubt it. Is it historically correct? Heck no. Stainless Steel and snap fasteners weren't developed until the 19th century. Does it work? Yup- few bugs, less UV, really freeeking breathable. Do I dig great kilts? Yup- my next purchase of tartan will be dedicated to one for formals with a full doublet.

I'm partial to earth tone button down oxfords with my other kilts, not piracy.

I use my Heritage Shirt because I hate bugs, and my skin has spent too much time in the sun at altitude. When I feel saucy, I thrown on a pair of battered pants, moccasins, and wrap a Modern Douglas Tartan wool sash around my waist. That seems to clear people away on the sidewalks.

Cheers,

Kevin

[Colin]

I personally find the Jacobite shirts to be too "costumey." I wouldn't wear one myself.

I have to agree with Bradley. Not for me, but to each their own.

[Spc. Scott]

I'm with the "if you like it wear it" crowd.
I used to have a nice black one a few years ago. Many moves later I have no idea where it is now.

Perhaps I need to go shopping.

[Panache]

I don't remember exactly when I wrote my review (and yes I'm being lazy and not clicking on the link to find out) but I still love my ECW Heritage shirt. I have looked at maybe getting another traditional (i.e. standard) "Ghillie Shirt" for Scottish Country Dance but the ones offered at the games seem pretty wimpy and costume-like compared to Kevin's shirt.

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

For me? No thank you. For you? Please yourself.

[Galb]

I think they look neat and all, but I'd rather just wear a t-shirt or a polo.

[DWFII]

The thing that puzzles me the most about this conversation is the use of the word "costume" or "costumey."

By some definition all clothing that has a somewhat fixed stylistic theme is costume. A grey business suit with an oxford shirt and a red tie is costume.

It seems to me a pretty slippery slope...especially for us who are not Scottish citizens...to adopt the kilt and then suddenly start worrying about "costume." The kilt is not native nor traditional to those of us who are US citizens, for instance. We can go on and on about honouring our ancestors but wearing a kilt is no less a costume if the majority of people around you--in your society--don't dress similarly...or even recognize it as anything but eccentricity.

And where do you draw the line? Is it in what is historically "Jacobite?" Or is it in traditions? If so, how old does a tradition have to be to be a tradition?

If my intent is to honour my ancestors, I wonder if wearing clothing that they probably would not recognize...or be seen dead in for that matter...is really honouring them. Similarly, I wonder if wearing something that has its roots in modern fantasy (Hollywood) is honouring anything short of crass and cynical commercialism. On the other hand, take it far enough and the oxford shirt and the ghillie brogues are just as inappropriate as the ghillie shirt if you are seeking to honour your ancestors and/or tradition.

All that said...and hopefully food for thought...I'd wear a ghillie shirt...in any venue except where it was being presented as Jacobite. I think you wear it because you like it...or feel comfortable in it--no harm no foul.

But it probably should be reiterated, time and time again, until it sticks or becomes part of the cultural subconscious, that the ghillie shirt is not Jacobite, not historically correct, and not honouring an ancestor unless your ancestor happens to be Errol Flynn and/or some counter-culture maven at an early hippy Ren-Faire.

Just one opinion...free for all...take it for what it's worth.

[Panache]

Quick visual comparisson

Renaissance Faire Shirt



ECW Heritage Shirt



Of course the Heritage shirt will do OK for a rustic outfit as well (as long as you don't get too hung up on the snaps)




Cheers

Jamie

[DWFII]

Jamie,

Actually you look good in both...maybe it's a matter of "Panache."

On the other hand, I like the Heritage look a little better. I'd like it a whole lot better with a simple button at the throat and at the cuffs. (Might be an opportunity there for the author of the "Heritage.")

Almost beside the point...I also like the fact that your shoes, in the last photo, have no heels. Hollywood...and those who depend on Hollywood...very studiously does not want to hear (avert!! avert!!) that there is absolutely no evidence, pictorial, textual or substantive that prior to the late 16th century any shoe or boot or form of footwear had heels. None. Period. [see June Swann, former curator of the Shoe Museum in NorthHampton England for authoritative confirmation]