Outlander Wardrobe and language

[Lodrorigdzin]

Not a lot of evidence survives. We know they knitted. Do we know how every single person knitted? No. Can we say that one person (Mrs. Fitz) made herself some bigger needles, because she had a particular style she wanted to do? Sure we can.
We don't use polyester or plastic, there is no velcro on the show. We KNOW those things did not exist. So we make sure they are not in there. The same way we don't have anyone turn on an electric light. But human beings are a diverse lot, and there is room for a lot of experimentation. Once we confirmed knitting, then as far as I was concerned, we could take the creative leap.
Another note. At that time in the production, no one from above (way above), wanted a lot of historically accurate parts of costumes. Like fichus. But I had an actress and a character running around in a freezing castle, exposed in a way that might kill her or get her branded a whore. Everyone LOVED the knit pieces. Sometimes you have to dance carefully on the edge of the razor. And the knit pieces opened the door to fichus, which she now wears as a result.

I was more interested in the technique, to be honest When I saw the pieces I was wondering whether they had been produced by nalbinding or by knitting. From a distance some of them looked like nalbinding, and it would have been geographically and historically interesting re the Norse influence on Scotland.

[Nathan]

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]

Tartan.jpg Here is a piece of our tartan.

[figheadair]

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.

[terry dresbach]

I am proud of the way we have designed our kilts, and had the fabric woven especially for the show. I am proud that we did that alone with making hundred of costumes and shoes in 7 weeks. I am very proud that our actors lie down in their trailers and put their kilts on every day the way it was actually done. But as I said, we will not satisfy everyone, and I am okay with that.
We have a gaelic coach on our crew. We have shot in the Highlands and have a lot of Highlanders on our team. I am not sure why they have made the choices they have on the language front, as I am the costume designer.
Our bonnets are felted wool. We chose to have a small range of colors, for creative reasons.

[creagdhubh]

I am proud of the way we have designed our kilts, and had the fabric woven especially for the show. I am proud that we did that alone with making hundred of costumes and shoes in 7 weeks. I am very proud that our actors lie down in their trailers and put their kilts on every day the way it was actually done. But as I said, we will not satisfy everyone, and I am okay with that.
We have a gaelic coach on our crew. We have shot in the Highlands and have a lot of Highlanders on our team. I am not sure why they have made the choices they have on the language front, as I am the costume designer.
Our bonnets are felted wool. We chose to have a small range of colors, for creative reasons.

Thanks for chiming in, Terry!

[Angela Kaye Bodine]

terry dresbach, Hi ! I love the show, I LOVE the men in kilts. The costumes for the rest of the cast is terrific.. the whole premises about time traveling etc is so cool... All what has been done for the show is great. Not sure about history behind it other then it is a story, how accurate things are or are not I would never of known.... I just like the show / plot.. I think u and anyone else including the actors are great,great talent too doing alot of work in such little time and coming out with such ART ( kilts and the other clothes ). I'm looking forward to April when it starts new episodes and looking at the kilts and hearing the Scottish accents... Thank you..... Angie

[Tobus]

I was also surprised that there were no subtitles on the Gaelic.

I'm actually glad they chose not to subtitle the Gaelic. The original book was written from Claire's first-person perspective, and so if she didn't understand what they were saying, we as the audience shouldn't either. In fact, that's part of the story, as we saw in the most recent episode ("Rent"). She picks out bits and pieces of what they're saying, and finally begins to understand what it is that they're doing with the collection of funds.

Listening to the Gaelic and feeling the passion and emotion of the way they speak it is much more satisfying than reading subtitles, even if I don't have a clue what they're actually saying. I think it was a good choice to let the beauty of the language speak for itself.

Terry Dresbach, thank you so much for your explanation of how things work on the set. I completely understand the budget and schedule issue, as well as practical considerations. The French military boot explanation does make sense. I think you've done a great job overall, considering the compromises that have to happen. Aside from historical nitpicking, the costumes do look great, and I'm loving the show!

[Calgacus]

Firstly I'd like to say that I'm greatly enjoying the show. Such a pity that it's not being shown in Scotland, at least as yet.

I'm also fascinated to read about the creative process and the compromises that have had to be made. I knew there were some, and it's interesting to hear the reasons and also hear other ones I had no knowledge of.

I think you've done a great job, Terry, well done indeed.

[Panache]

....And they are not en faire pirate boots. They are accurate reproductions of French Military bots, made by a historical cobbler, for us.

Terry,

In the other thread you wrote

...Shoes on period shows are the bane of every costume designers nightmare.

Out of curiosity is the problem with what is historically accurate is that modern audiences will react badly to it? Such as watching any Elizabethan era set movie/TV show where the men are always wearing riding boots and longer pantaloons at court instead of the slippers and short pantaloons from all the portraits that exist from the time?

Cheers

Jamie