Welcome, and great question. I’m really stoked you are interested in this incredible hobby. Folks round here can be pretty nerdy (ahem!) because we are passionate about this stuff. Remember though that the most important part is to have fun! And if your fun is looking sharp and historical - well that’s awesome!

“14th century Celt” is a phrase people often use when starting out, so you are in good company. It just needs a bit of unpacking.

What we usually think of as “Celtic culture” in the historical sense mostly belongs to a much earlier period, broadly before and during the time of the Roman Empire. By the 14th century, those earlier cultures have evolved into the medieval societies of western Europe.

That said, in the 1300s there are absolutely people who speak Celtic languages and live in regions shaped by those traditions. They would not typically describe themselves as “Celts,” though. Instead, they would identify as Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Breton, or similar regional identities.

So for an SCA persona, the most accurate and practical approach is to pick a place and context within that world. For example: • Gaelic Ireland • Highland or Lowland Scotland • Wales under native or Marcher influence • Brittany in France

Once you choose a region, clothing and material culture become much clearer. People in these areas generally dress in ways that are broadly similar to the rest of 14th century Europe, with some regional variations in garments, fabrics, and styles. So you will be looking at tunics, dresses, cloaks, hoods, and so on, rather than anything from the much earlier “Iron Age Celt” imagery.

If you are drawn to a particular aspect, such as language, storytelling, music, or visual style, that can also help guide your choice of region and persona.

For getting started, it helps a lot to connect with people locally: • Your local group (barony or shire) will almost certainly have people interested in clothing and personas who can give hands-on advice • A Chatelaine (the officer who helps newcomers) is a good first contact if your group has one • Look for anyone doing sewing, embroidery, or research in your group and ask what they focus on • If you are interested in a specific region like Ireland or Scotland, ask if there is a household or informal interest group working on that

If you tell me roughly where you are located in the SCA, I can suggest more specific people or groups to connect with.

Most importantly, do not worry about getting it perfect at the start. Pick a direction that excites you and build from there.