[Ansteorra] Garb authenticity...

[HE Kainin Tepesa]

Well said! 

I fear that some of our newer players on this list may
be starting to get the impression that they should run
and hide anytime they see someone who is well dressed
heading their way. That the "period police" (I am not
of fan of calling anyone a nazi, except the Nazis -
and I certainly hate to be called such myself) are
just waiting to tear them apart when they come to
their first event.

I have been playing in the SCA since I was 15 (nearly
20 years) and in those early days (actually the
greater part of those years, until I met my lady and
she helped me to dress better) I wore some truly
horrible, shockingly inaccurate garb. Yet in all that
time, I do not recall a single person coming up to me
and giving me an unsolicited critique. I am sure that
these kinds of things do happen, I just think that it
is important that our newer players know that this is
not the norm. 

Becoming more accurate in our "kit" is a personal
journey and one that we all undertake (if we are truly
honest with ourselves). Some make small steps and
others grow in leaps and bounds. Personally, I try to
improve with each new outfit, purchase for camping
equipment, etc. I have just recently learned the joys
of 100% linen in our Ansteorran heat and will
recommend it over cotton from now on for its
breathe-ability. 

I see nothing wrong with gently and kindly encouraging
each other to strive for better and better in our game
(be it in our garb, service, courtesies, etc.) as long
as it is done gently, kindly and with love.

Kainin
Baron of Bonwicke



--- Lori Campbell <countesskat at yahoo.com> wrote:

> We should try to remember that we all play at
> different levels of
> authenticity and exercise tolerance for people who
> haven't progressed
> as far up the accuracy ladder. (note, I don't speak
> for myself here -
> the only authentic garb I own is stuff others made
> for me).  
> 
> The tendency of non-academically oriented newcomers
> (i.e. most of them)
> is to start with good intentions and small
> pocketbooks. I know I did. 
> If there was a thistle for garb made with period
> patterns and
> non-period material, I'd have it. :) 
> 
> The way some of this discussion has gone, newcomers
> might get the idea
> that we have authenticity nazis hiding behind every
> bush, just waiting
> to rake newcomers over the coals.  
> 
> That just isn't the case.  Occasionally our accuracy
> enthusiasts do
> offer advice on garb, but hopefully they do it in
> such a way that the
> recipient feels their efforts up to that point are
> respected.  
> 
> The few who are... less than tactful... are very
> much the minority.  In
> almost 20 years I've yet to meet even one (did I
> mention that I've worn
> some horribly inaccurate garb?).
> 
> If you do happen to have an unfortunate run-in with
> someone who missed
> the courtesy bus (or - more likely - someone with
> more enthusiasm about
> period costuming than tact), please don't consider
> them representative
> of our society.  For every one tale told of a
> newcomer being waylaid by
> someone rude, there is likely to be at least a
> hundred others where one
> was encouraged and led along a gentler path.  Or so
> I'd like to
> believe.
> 
> - Kat MacLochlainn

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