red_bus wrote:
No big deal about kilts.  Not sure what a "celt" is (unless you are talking about 1,000BC).  

... Although bear in mind that many tartans, and the popularity of the modern kilt, date from a fairly recent revival of and romanticisation of Scottish culture by the Victorians (i.e. early 19th century).  So there may be less ancient culture round your waist than you thought.

Could be even more recent than that.  The 95' film Braveheart romanticized Scottish culture and popularized kilts but very few if any Scots wore kilts at the time.  Scottish soldiers didn't start wearing them till around late 17th century.  Also no historical Scot ever wore his plaids in the manner Gibson does in the film with a belt around the shoulder.  Same goes for the face paint.  This is the same look we are talking about replicated by fantasy gamers and ren fair goers.  Actual tartan kilts worn at weddings, parades, and other events I've never seen worn by gamer types.

Some version of the kilt has long been archetypical of Scots.

Americans do not generally fuss about style and era.  Details about when and how kilts were worn are not as important as the fact that they are man-dresses.

Likewise, most people are unaware that the idea of a "clan tartan" was a development of the early industrial age or that vikings didn't have horned helmets.

Most people are not too fussy about mixing up historical eras in general.  That's why people talk about the samurai of "ancient" Japan and a typical SCA convention features Roman soldiers next to buccaneers next to knights next to swashbucklers next to vikings.

"...it is the chief value of legend to mix up the centuries while preserving the sentiment; to see all ages in a sort of splendid foreshortening. That is the use of tradition: it telescopes history."
- G.K. Chesterton

It's all good, man. The most adventurous I got was my Union kepi. I have always liked the style, ever since I was a little boy.

improvstone wrote:BB I think you are looking at this from the wrong angle  Will you ever catch either of us dressed up as Pirates @ GenCon?  In a word no!  However, if it takes fairy costumes for more cute girls to turn up then I am all for it.

... Anytime I can see an opportunity to attract attractive women I will be the 1st one in ...  

Try wearing a codpiece then!  

improvstone wrote:BB I think you are looking at this from the wrong angle  Will you ever catch either of us dressed up as Pirates @ GenCon?  In a word no!  However, if it takes fairy costumes for more cute girls to turn up then I am all for it.

What's this, now?  BBarsh is going to dress up as a fairy pirate?  

JohnGaunt wrote:What's this, now?  BBarsh is going to dress up as a fairy pirate?  

now that, I'd like to see... hang on, that sounds wrong....

Unless I sell the pictures...

I seriously think Bill could pull of the fairy pirate.  No doudt in my mind.  Costume of the Year goes to.........Bill Barsh Fairy Pirate

Bill's acceptance speech:  Thank you, thank you.  I would like to thank the members of the Acaeum and tell them to kiss my hairy white ass!

Martin