Early-To-Mid Victorian Highland Wear

[figheadair]

Whilst the MacLeay portraits are a facinating source of information on the styles of the period there certainly don't represent what the common man wore. All these guys were, in one way or another, employees of the gentry, principally royalty and would have had their 'outfits' supplied by their employer to fit their ideal of traditional Highland dress. The common man simply could not afford such luxury.

The portraits, like those of McIan are more interesting for what they tell us of the style of clothing of each period and how that was influenced by the fashion of the day and/or an earlier era.

[Woodsheal]

Whilst the MacLeay portraits are a facinating source of information on the styles of the period there certainly don't represent what the common man wore. All these guys were, in one way or another, employees of the gentry, principally royalty and would have had their 'outfits' supplied by their employer to fit their ideal of traditional Highland dress. The common man simply could not afford such luxury.

You guys are still not getting it! The MacLeay images were put forth as suggestions for an imaginative kilted Highland look, to be worn in the somewhat fantastical setting of a holiday Dickens festival, NOT as representing the proper, authentic garb of a common shopkeeper.

Sheesh...!

[RadioKen]

Well, I"m FINALLY getting the opportunity to respond! I had actually started a response yesterday (27 May) morning, but then we had some figurative fires at work that took the rest of the day and I never got to post it.

I guess the real question is whether you want to do this "correctly"[i.e. dress like a shopkeeper in London (or even a town in the Highlands) dressed at the time Charles Dickens was writing] or whether you want to wear a kilt. From the what I can glean on this subject, the two seem mutually exclusive.

Cordially,

David

I would say, sir, that you have neatly summed things up. This festival is only one of many that we attend as merchants every year, and is the only one that is Victorian-themed. My wife is reluctant to pour a lot of money (or even a medium-amount of money) outfitting ourselves with complete sets of correct clothing for a single two-day event that happens once a year. Most of our other "working clothes" are usable across a wider number of events (Renaissance festivals and Celtic music festivals/Highland games). I already happen to have an 1830's shawl collar vest in brown wool from Jas. Townsend and Sons, though I'm not entirely pleased with the way the collar lays when it's all buttoned up.

If I decide I need to be "correct", I may modify some existing clothing and maybe make a new waistcoat in brushed twill or canvas. That way the only "big" item I would need would be a coat, and I have several friends who are talented costumers who could certainly help me with that. Otherwise, I could be "somewhat-less-than-correct" and wear one of the wool kilts I'm planning on making (maybe in a tweed), then add to it a waistcoat and outer coat.

As you surmised, I was unlearned one way or the other as to the commonality of the kilt in Scotland during the Victorian Era, which is why I naturally asked on a kilt forum; if I could reasonably get away with wearing one, then I wanted to know what I should be wearing. I am not surprised to learn that the kilt was not at all common among the urbanites.

After reading everyone's opinion and thinking hard about this, what I may do is go ahead and be kilted anyway, in spite of the glaring error in period correctness. As was pointed out, this is not precisely a historical re-enactment event - I've seen a few of the merchants out there wearing their renfair garb - and it would be easier to use a kilt at other shows that we do. One thing I need to keep in mind is the weather - last year was bitterly cold. (In fact, the "period-esque" clothing we did wear last year was mostly covered up by a canvas Carhart chore coat on me and a dark blue peacoat on my wife. Nobody batted an eye.)

I'm looking at the paintings by MacLeay more for stylistic ideas than to copy verbatim. Simple band-collared white shirt with appropriate neckwear, waistcoat with matching (short) jacket, a hat of some kind, and sporran. Somebody mentioned going the Steampunk route, and, honestly, I had considered that. Those costumer friends of mine also do the Steampunk-thing, and I'm sure they would be delighted to help me. Though, really, a pair of goggles and some extra brass bits and gears added to the outfit somewhere would probably be sufficient for that! Plus it would give me something to wear if we decide to do any sci-fi or Steampunk conventions.

I'll be sure to post photos of the end result, whatever it might be.
~Ken

[Slag101]

You guys are still not getting it! The MacLeay images were put forth as suggestions for an imaginative kilted Highland look, to be worn in the somewhat fantastical setting of a holiday Dickens festival, NOT as representing the proper, authentic garb of a common shopkeeper.

Sheesh...!

I get it. From one re-enactor to another, just let them keep tottering on about it till the thread dies from loss of interest. You tried, and hopefully the original person can get the info they want.

I won't even go near the fact that a Dickens Festival is off, let alone one in the USA. Isn't being miserable, poor, dirty, and having a tragic back story a requirement to truly celebrate in the Dickens tradition?

Woodsheal, my main concern is what is the proper thread count on a Dickens era frock, and are the button holes hand sewn? (only the re-enactors will get this)

[Woodsheal]

I get it. From one re-enactor to another, just let them keep tottering on about it till the thread dies from loss of interest. You tried, and hopefully the original person can get the info they want.

I won't even go near the fact that a Dickens Festival is off, let alone one in the USA. Isn't being miserable, poor, dirty, and having a tragic back story a requirement to truly celebrate in the Dickens tradition?

Woodsheal, my main concern is what is the proper thread count on a Dickens era frock, and are the button holes hand sewn? (only the re-enactors will get this)

Stitch-counting authenticity Nazi!!

[BoldHighlander]

Stitch-counting authenticity Nazi!!

Hey! I've resembled* that remark!

(*former member: Von Prueschenk's Jäger Coy - Brigade of the American Revolution & Militär-Verein Germania aka "the dark side" )

[BoldHighlander]

Woodsheal, my main concern is what is the proper thread count on a Dickens era frock, and are the button holes hand sewn? (only the re-enactors will get this)

I get it

[ThistleDown]

You know, with all due respect to everyone, I don't know what we are on about in this thread.

Ken originally posted: "Last year we managed to throw together some appropriate-enough clothing from my accumulated historical clothing, but this year we want to do things more correctly. We're starting this project now to allow plenty of time before we need it.

So, what would a common Highland Scots shopkeeper or merchant wear in the 1840's or 1850's?"

The answer to his question is: "pretty much as would be worn in London in the same years."

We all assumed that he wants to wear a kilt because he asked about "correct" dress for a Highland shopkeeper on a kilt forum. All that was said was that "the kilt was not worn by shopkeepers in the Highlands." There was no judgement in those answers, they were just simply answers to the question he asked.

He has decided he wants to wear a kilt anyway. Good for you, Ken!

[BoldHighlander]

You know, with all due respect to everyone, I don't know what we are on about in this thread.

Ken originally posted: "Last year we managed to throw together some appropriate-enough clothing from my accumulated historical clothing, but this year we want to do things more correctly. We're starting this project now to allow plenty of time before we need it.

So, what would a common Highland Scots shopkeeper or merchant wear in the 1840's or 1850's?"

The answer to his question is: "pretty much as would be worn in London in the same years."

We all assumed that he wants to wear a kilt because he asked about "correct" dress for a Highland shopkeeper on a kilt forum. All that was said was that "the kilt was not worn by shopkeepers in the Highlands." There was no judgement in those answers, they were just simply answers to the question he asked.

He has decided he wants to wear a kilt anyway. Good for you, Ken!

Your correct Rex, and I apologize if my earlier post in response to Micric's implication seemed a wee bit harsh in tone.

I have no problem with yours or Jock's replies, you both have shared some great info.

Having said that, as I'd tell the citizens after a disturbance on the job site:
"move along folks, nothing further to see"

[ThistleDown]

Your correct Rex, and I apologize if my earlier post in response to Micric's implication seemed a wee bit harsh in tone.

I have no problem with yours or Jock's replies, you both have shared some great info.

Having said that, as I'd tell the citizens after a disturbance on the job site:
"move along folks, nothing further to see"

:ootd: Ah, peace in the family