Garb Help

[Chandler]

Hey, I'm a longtime TRF patron and a camper, as well as being a one time garber (years ago),

I've decided that I'm going to be back in garb for TRF '09, even if it's only myself and my son.  I guess my question is, where do I start? 

Like a true addict, I'm already thinking/planning for TRF '09, so I'm trying to decide what I want to get.  For any/all of you in here who garb, how did you decide where to start?  Obviously my first set of garb won't be my only or my last, but I'm having trouble picking where to start.

I'm not a Garb Nazi, but I want to wear something that looks remotely period, and not a cheap plastic costume.  I'm thinking about going either in a kilted outfit, or as a Irish commoner.  I also don't really want to break the bank this year on my first garb, considering I'm going to get my son (who will be turning 1 during TRF this year) to be in garb also.

Any help/advice/comments/links/etc would be appreciated.  Every year I go I see the clans and all the Rennies dressed up and I've been jealous, so this year I'm joining ya'll.

[LadyShadow]

I had an idea when I first started garbing.  And asked around on who had extra that I could borrow or buy.  And then slowly started up to fiding cheap buys on garb.  And just recently got into sewing/creating mine and my families garb.

[*Teach*]

If you want to start off with something (relatively) cheap but not cheap looking in the kilts, here are a couple of sites to look into
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/
http://www.usakilts.com/
http://www.buzzkidder.citymax.com/page/page/838430.htm
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/page/casual_kilt_guide.php (list of sites for kilts)
http://www.amerikilt.com/

I generally look for cheap but good. Remember, you dont have to buy everything the first year. Garb is something that is built up over many years and goes through many many changes as to what you may want.

For garb outside of kilts, I strongly suggest using www.renshirts.com. They have tons for the beginning garber at really great prices.

*And don't forgot the rum flask... that's very important*

[Zardoz]

I guess I kind of cheat on the garb thing. I wear the kilt all the time, and I'm not going for any kind of historical accuracy, so I basically just add a "Highland shirt", vest and some gillies to what I'd be wearing anyway!     If you go with the kilted outfit, here's some of the sources and vendors I use;

www.kiltday.com
Just about everything you need to know about kilted life and the best kilt related links page on the net.

www.xmarksthescot.com
The webs largest community of kilt wearers, promoting the kilt as a man's garment, not a costume.

www.jhiggins.net
J. Higgins is a large importer of highland dress in Kansas.

www.sportkilt.com
Affordable sport and "starter" kilts and accessories.

www.stillwaterkilts.com
Affordable traditionally styled kilts in acrylic and wool from Minnesota.

www.usakilts.com
"My kilt maker" USA offers custom tailored kilts in PV and wool at very reasonable prices.  Made in Phoenixville, PA.

www.scottishkilts.net
This Glasgow Scotland based company has some of the best pricing on the "real deal" Scottish made highland dress and accessories.

[Chandler]

Thanks for all the good advice!

My question - say I went with one of the 'cheaper' kilts, say from Stillwater or Sportkilt - what other accessories besides the kilt & sporran would I need/want, PLUS, would I be looked upon with scorn by the guys wearing the $400 kilts?

[tigerlilly]

For the wee one, I suggest a simple chemise and biggins cap.  Cool, comfortable, and period.  Cheap enough that you can get a couple, because one set of garb probably won't last a one-year-old through the day.  Little boys were dressed exactly the same as girls until age 5 or so.  You can put a simple polarfleece or flannel tabard (basically a rectangle with a hole cut out in the middle for the head) over it if it's a little chilly.  I don't know where you can buy baby garb, but I bet Google would turn something up.  The baby in the backpack is my daughter at 6 months old, and the kiddo on the bench is my son, who's four, wearing the same brown tunic that was dress-length on him when he was 18 months old.

[MacLaren]

What everybody else said. See if you can find your family plaid if you have one, and run with it! I'm really happy with my two Stillwaters. Acrylic is perfectly fine, and NOBODY will look down on you. As for the critter, that's not my area of knowledge.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

My friend bought a kilt from The Frugal Corner, is very happy with it, and it cost $61.  And he looks darn good in it, too!

My husband has a very expensive kilt, which I would never let him wear to faire.  Think -- sitting on straw bales or on the ground, eating stuff with drippy sauce -- on a good kilt.  No way.

I bought him two different acrylic kilts that can be thrown in the washer for faire.  No one in all the years we've been going to faire has ever mentioned a word about them.

[MacLaren]

My husband has a very expensive kilt, which I would never let him wear to faire.  Think -- sitting on straw bales or on the ground, eating stuff with drippy sauce -- on a good kilt.  No way.

I bought him two different acrylic kilts that can be thrown in the washer for faire.  No one in all the years we've been going to faire has ever mentioned a word about them.

True about the desire to not mess it up! And what, he never gets asked for a picture? That's a big reason to garb up..to have fun with the 'danes and make their day more enjoyable(your own as well)!!!

[Zardoz]

My question - say I went with one of the 'cheaper' kilts, say from Stillwater or Sportkilt - what other accessories besides the kilt & sporran would I need/want, PLUS, would I be looked upon with scorn by the guys wearing the $400 kilts?

I certainly never worry about what kind of kilt anyone else is wearing, and most people will never know where it came from. and I do not wear my fancy wool 'tanks' to the faire, too easy to mess them up! But I will interject an opinion here, Sportkilts are great for their original purpose, sports, but they come up a little short compaired to a Stillwater 'standard' or even 'Thrifty' model. And the Stillwater will be less expensive. SK does have some inexpensive accessories like sporrans, shirts etc..

Besides the kilt and sporran?
Belt and buckle
Footwear, Boots? Gillies? Hose & Flashes? lots of options there!
Some kind of shirt.
Headgear.
Ain't you glad you have 9 months to put it together?

[Chandler]

My question - say I went with one of the 'cheaper' kilts, say from Stillwater or Sportkilt - what other accessories besides the kilt & sporran would I need/want, PLUS, would I be looked upon with scorn by the guys wearing the $400 kilts?

I certainly never worry about what kind of kilt anyone else is wearing, and most people will never know where it came from. and I do not wear my fancy wool 'tanks' to the faire, too easy to mess them up! But I will interject an opinion here, Sportkilts are great for their original purpose, sports, but they come up a little short compaired to a Stillwater 'standard' or even 'Thrifty' model. And the Stillwater will be less expensive. SK does have some inexpensive accessories like sporrans, shirts etc..

Besides the kilt and sporran?
Belt and buckle
Footwear, Boots? Gillies? Hose & Flashes? lots of options there!
Some kind of shirt.
Headgear.
Ain't you glad you have 9 months to put it together?

No doubt!

The advice has been great.  My biggest concern was looking 'cheap' for doing the kilted outfit on a budget, but you guys have really put my mind at ease on that.

This is what I'm looking at so far:
kilt http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-tk-in?&caSKU=swk-tk-in&caTitle=Irish%20National%20Tartan%20Thrifty-Kilt

highland shirt http://www.sportkilt.com/departments/kilt-accessories/highlander-shirts/highlander-shirt-natural.cfm

sporran http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-sprn-224?&caSKU=swk-sprn-224&caTitle=3-Tassel%20Black%20Leather%20Sporran

flashes http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-flash-in?&caSKU=swk-flash-in&caTitle=Irish%20National%20Tartan%20Sock%20Flashes

socks http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-sox?&caSKU=swk-sox&caTitle=Wool-blend%20Kilt%20Socks

I still need to find some ghillies, because I'm sure my Doc Martens are probably a bit too anachronistic to work   If you're wearing a sporran & chain, do you still wear a belt with it?  Also, what type of headwear?

[HOoOka]

I'd like to suggest www.monkeywenchstudios.com

but then...Im bias.

[Zardoz]

My question - say I went with one of the 'cheaper' kilts, say from Stillwater or Sportkilt - what other accessories besides the kilt & sporran would I need/want, PLUS, would I be looked upon with scorn by the guys wearing the $400 kilts?

I certainly never worry about what kind of kilt anyone else is wearing, and most people will never know where it came from. and I do not wear my fancy wool 'tanks' to the faire, too easy to mess them up! But I will interject an opinion here, Sportkilts are great for their original purpose, sports, but they come up a little short compaired to a Stillwater 'standard' or even 'Thrifty' model. And the Stillwater will be less expensive. SK does have some inexpensive accessories like sporrans, shirts etc..

Besides the kilt and sporran?
Belt and buckle
Footwear, Boots? Gillies? Hose & Flashes? lots of options there!
Some kind of shirt.
Headgear.
Ain't you glad you have 9 months to put it together?

No doubt!

The advice has been great.  My biggest concern was looking 'cheap' for doing the kilted outfit on a budget, but you guys have really put my mind at ease on that.

This is what I'm looking at so far:
kilt http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-tk-in?&caSKU=swk-tk-in&caTitle=Irish%20National%20Tartan%20Thrifty-Kilt

highland shirt http://www.sportkilt.com/departments/kilt-accessories/highlander-shirts/highlander-shirt-natural.cfm

sporran http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-sprn-224?&caSKU=swk-sprn-224&caTitle=3-Tassel%20Black%20Leather%20Sporran

flashes http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-flash-in?&caSKU=swk-flash-in&caTitle=Irish%20National%20Tartan%20Sock%20Flashes

socks http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Stillwater-Kilts/Items/swk-sox?&caSKU=swk-sox&caTitle=Wool-blend%20Kilt%20Socks

I still need to find some ghillies, because I'm sure my Doc Martens are probably a bit too anachronistic to work   If you're wearing a sporran & chain, do you still wear a belt with it?  Also, what type of headwear?

That all looks pretty good. Yes, Belt and Sporran chain, The belt is not 100% "required" but it completes the look. I would recomend a leather Sporran Strap , the chain is a little hard on the kilt material over time.  Oh, and please no white socks!  go with oatmeal to match that shirt;  http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=4


For a hat, try this place ; http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?cPath=6&products_id=250

[KiltedPrivateer]

I'd like to add that ghillies are not the best choice for walking around a faire all day.  Try to find yourself a nice cheap pair of leather sandals or lace up boot.  And you may still wish to add insole inserts for an added bit of walking comfort.

[Chandler]

lace up boot.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I'm bored and I'll ask anyways.

Would my brown lace up Doc Martens work?