Ladies Traditional Highland Dress

[BEEDEE]

I've posted this before somewhere else on the forum, but here it is again.



Brian

[Butterfly Aussie]

I've posted this before somewhere else on the forum, but here it is again.



Brian

Thank you for posting this - I have printed myself a copy and shall use it as a guide.

Why are there such differences in opinions on this side of the Atlantic? I am so grateful that all of you have taken the time to answer my inquiry. The photo that had you laughing.....I was told that that was one of the proper attires. Hopefully you can see why I was so confused. I am grateful that I found a site with folks that know what they are talking about. I shall convey what I learn.

I have just received my purchase of "The Art of Kiltmaking" by Barbara Tewksbury & Elsie Stuehmeyer and have also printed the supplement "Making a Traditional Box Pleated Kilt" by Barbara Tewksbury & Matthew Newsome.

I think with the five yards of fabric that I have, I shall begin with the Arisaidh and then try the kilt.

Thank you all again for your time, consideration and guidance. I am learning volumes.

Janis

[Jock Scot]

Right I have read all the posts carefully and with the impressions I have gained from looking at the pictures here and elsewhere, I know that there is a very different mind set between the two sides of the Atlantic. Nothing wrong with that, but it does cause confusion! Let us stick to the subject of "Highland Games" here and I know I am speaking in general terms, so let us not have endless posts "splitting hairs", please! It seems to me that in the USA(Canada too?) when a games happens many spectators want,need, do get into the swing of things and get involved by dressing up in "Scottish"attire. OK, OKAY! As it has already been pointed out, not all American games are like this, but it seems many are and the delightful picture of the lady dressed in "highland"attire plus the original post with the question confirms that many consider going to games dressed that way.No problems with that, all very charming, BUT that is not traditional dress to a Scottish Highland Games, and that was the question that was asked. Now I have no wish to be rude, condescending, holier than though, mocking, or insulting here, but in Scotland, spectators go to spectate and not to get involved by getting dressed up in some weird and wonderful get up that might look at home in the theatre. As to the kilt, men dressed in the kilt is attire not a costume. Sorry ladies, if you went dressed up in the outfits, great though they are, suggested in the pictures above to a Highland games in Scotland you would stick out like a sore thumb and it would be assumed that you were part of the performance (in what capacity I am not sure) in the arena. I think in this case, we must accept that there are different ways of doing things and as in many other things, the trip across the Atlantic does things to traditions!

[MacLowlife]

Jock, are there Renaissance Faires or similar festivals in Scotland?

[macwilkin]

Jock, are there Renaissance Faires or similar festivals in Scotland?

It's not a Ren Faire, but I know Pour1Malt has posted some photos from a music festival in Scotland with some pretty "unconventional" kilt kit.

T.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, are there Renaissance Faires or similar festivals in Scotland?

In truth I don't know for sure, as I am not quite clear what happens at a Renaissance Fair, but I don't think so, certainly not as a matter of course I would say. There are, however, assorted "period events" at this castle or that, mainly in England I think, that do a Civil War weekend,or, jousting,or, some such. Sometimes, at large country shows(tractors, farm machinery, shooting, fishing, falconry, sheep, horses, cattle) there are sometimes a wee demonstration by the Black Watch re-enactors,for example, that may take up 20 minutes or so in the arena.

[HeathBar]

My question is this..what is the PROPER kilt / dress for a lady? What type of footwear is worn?

My wife usually wears a denim skirt. The top and shoes are determined by the weather. At Gatlinburg this year her footwear included pink wellies and a rain jacket. At Stone Mountain she wore a blanket that was strategically wrapped around her. Underneath was a fleece top and hiking boots. She has been doing this nearly all of our 8 year marriage. She does have tartan skirts, but they are reserved for more dressy events such as dinners. But when you are outside for 8 to 10 hours, comfort is the key.

I don't think you have to be decked out in tartan to enjoy highland games. But of course you will not be out of place in the US if you wear something similar as the images above. But just know that these are not traditional scottish dress and they might not even be historically accurate.

[piperdbh]

My wife usually wears a denim skirt. The top and shoes are determined by the weather. At Gatlinburg this year her footwear included pink wellies and a rain jacket.

...because there was about 20 feet of rain that weekend...

At Stone Mountain she wore a blanket that was strategically wrapped around her. Underneath was a fleece top and hiking boots.

...because it was rainy and cold...

I don't think you have to be decked out in tartan to enjoy highland games. But of course you will not be out of place in the US if you wear something similar as the images above. But just know that these are not traditional Scottish dress and they might not even be historically accurate.

Amen. Just as you can enjoy a ball game without being festooned with the team colors, or can fully participate in the 4th of July without painting yourself red, white and blue, you don't have to go all out and dress up the way my Mrs. did above. I'd advise the OP to start small, with maybe a tartan scarf or sash, and then if she wants to add more tartan, have a skirt or pair of slacks made. If she still has the itch (for tartan, not from the wool ), then maybe make a tartan jacket or something.
I hope all this discussion is helping the OP.

[Pleater]

I notice that the arisaid(h) is not worn in the traditional/historic manner but over one shoulder.

The garment, as I understand it, was not normally worn asymetrically but both of the top corners were brought over the respective shoulders, crossed over and fastened at the breast with a round broach - I am sure it has a proper name.

The result was therefore more like a cape with an option for a hood, which resulted in church ministers objecting to it being worn due to women having a snooze under the hood during their sermons.

I wore a single sized blanket like that, once I was up and about after the 'flu' recently, and it is a very cosy garment.

I expect that if the weather was warm the arisaid would be worn 'adapted' - but over one shoulder was not the usual drape of the cloth.

When I used to go the the English Civil War reenactments with John Lilburn's Regiment of Musket and Pike we used to delight in remaining in costume for the whole event, though the Cavaliers used to flaunt their finery through the streets with such pomp and proudness and their women! Painted Jesabeles in such gownes!! and they put on aprones of silks, rybonnes and laces mayd to mayke a mock of they who wore plain and decent garments of simple modesty ... ...

er yes

We used to stay in costume, but anyone who was, was assumed to be taking part, and the spectators wore their normal clothes.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Butterfly Aussie]

The garment, as I understand it, was not normally worn asymetrically but both of the top corners were brought over the respective shoulders, crossed over and fastened at the breast with a round broach - I am sure it has a proper name.


Anne the Pleater :ootd:

The brooch is called a penannular. It is one of the things I am sure of from my research/study of this subject.

I do have 2 pictures that are saved on my computer of different Ladies' Scottish Attire/dress that I would like to have your opinions on - whether they are representative or "costumey"; but I have no idea how to upload them. When I click on Insert Image it asks for a http:// address or do I need to email them to someone directly?