A Lasses Wear Thread

[Thistle Stop]

I have no clue what ladies wear, or if there even are rules for us. I know about the Kilt Do's and Don'ts for guys and that there are even differing opinions on what is worn and how. I guess what I've been trying to do is find out what women typically wear that's a little "traditional", if there even is such a thing. I can look at clothing websites, but sometimes it's only hints of tartan or they'll have the model in everything available through their store (I'm thinking overkill with accessories, but I could be wrong). And sometimes it's only a generic look and I wonder if that might be overdone. I guess the focus is on guys and kilts, and that's fine, but I'd like to know what ladies can do

Hi Cynthia (I'm a Cynthia too!) -- You're right, the guys get most of the attention in the world of "traditional" Scottish dress. But we ladies have a few good options for wearing the tartan, too.

Historically, women wore a tartan garment called an arisaid. Here's what I have on that in my Glossary:

arisaid [air uh saydch] 1 (n.) a traditional woman's Highland garment, essentially a long, belted tartan cloak or over-dress, fastened in front with a brooch.

It was similar to a man's Great Kilt (féileadh mór) -- basically just a big piece of tartan cloth. No one wears the arisaid these days except in a Ren Faire or re-enactors milieu, of course. But a modern cape, cloak, ruana, or other sort of wrap is one attractive way to wear tartan.

The most "traditional" tartan garment for ladies today is a tartan skirt. It's usually a below-the-knee kilted skirt for daytime/business/casual occasions, with any sort of coordinating solid-colour top or blouse, worn with stockings or tights (NOT kilt hose and flashes! -- though girls' knee socks might look OK for a sporty effect), and heels, flats, or boots -- whatever fits the desired degree of "dressiness". You can add a matching tartan sash on the right shoulder, fastened with a brooch, for events with a Scots-heritage focus.

For evening parties or semi-formal affairs, the traditional look is a full-length tartan skirt, which could be wool and kilted (a "hostess kilt"), or wool or silk and pleated or gathered, worn with a white blouse with a lace jabot and cuffs (made into the blouse, rather than separate like a man's jabot and cuffs). A matching tartan sash can be worn on the right shoulder. A solid-colour jacket or wrap in a suitable fabric (wool, velvet, etc.) is good to have in cold weather.

For a ball or other white-tie event, a modern evening gown is worn. A tartan sash or stole will complement a solid-colour gown with simple styling. You can have a tartan (or part-tartan) ball gown custom-made, which can be very lovely -- we sell one with a full skirt and a strapless, corseted bodice with back lacing that is just gorgeous. We've even had customers order it as a wedding gown.

The traditional ensemble for Scottish Country Dancers is a white dress (below the knee, like ballet length), cut full enough for comfort in dancing, worn with a tartan sash on the left shoulder.

You can have a number of garments made-to-measure in tartan, or buy yardage to sew your own. Why not buy just a little tartan fabric to embellish ready-made clothes, like adding tartan cuffs to a jacket, tartan pockets to a pair of jeans, or a tartan belt to a dress? The main thing is to enjoy yourself with it, so use your imagination!

Slainte!

Cyndi