A Question from my wife...

**Rampant Lion** · 15th May 07, 08:28 AM

Hey, I always thought that the few opportunites that us guys do get to get dressed up in our full scottish regalia were the few times that we get to possibly "outshine" our significant others, or at least think we do.

Don't take that away from me!

Actually, I'm going to have to show my wife some of the options posted in this thread. Some of those will look great on my wife.

**turpin** · 15th May 07, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

I saw a woman in this (different tartan) at the woodland Games and it about knocked my socks off.

Arrgghhhh! Alan, ya gotta stop that. I'm regimental at work!

Originally Posted by cavscout

Hmmmmmm, Mrs. Cav would look gorgeous in one of these in Fraser Hunting

That's only about 3 or 4 belts' worth Steve. Go for it. The kids don't need their teeth cleaned this year.

**Alan H** · 15th May 07, 09:52 AM

Panache has a good point. Until you're ready to break the bank for over $1,000 for a custom-made showstopping dress, it's hard to beat the LBD, black heels,and a tartan sash with a nice pin for "class" and good looks on a budget.

If you're handy with a sewing machine and have the arms and shoulders for it, look in the pattern catalogs for something like the second top that I posted. there are a zillion patterns for something like that. The only trick is you HAVE...HAVE to be careful how you lay out the pattern on the tartan; it MUST BE symmetrical so you must have enough material. If you buy heavy kilting wool, you'll die form the heat so if you opt to do this, get lightweight wools (8-10 ounce) or polyester-viscose or even poly-cotton..

I'm not someone who regularly sews anything to a pattern, but I've thought hard about making a top like that...not a hint of Renaissance there, for the Luminous Joan. It's just that she'd have my head on a platter if I actually did it.

**Alan H** · 15th May 07, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by turpin

Arrgghhhh! Alan, ya gotta stop that. I'm regimental at work!

That's only about 3 or 4 belts' worth Steve. Go for it. The kids don't need their teeth cleaned this year.

LOL...the gal at Woodland had hers in a blue tartan, and she chickened out and wore a t-shirt under it. I figure, if you're gonna wear something like that, girl, then GO for it.

Actually it still looked great, but can you imagine that corset/bodice over a plain white or plain black skirt, maybe black velvet? WHHOOOOOIIIEEEE and it wouldn't cost much more than the price of the corset/bodice...a big black velvet skirt is easy enough to make yourself.

**thescot** · 15th May 07, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by jordanjm

. . .how do I keep him from out shinning me? . . .

Just hang on his arm, and you'll look good. Even if he is better dressed, you'll still look prettier than him. (There is that peacock thing, you know. The more colorful male birds always try to look good for their lassies, too.) And I suspect that if you are on his arm, he'll look the better for it.

A nice kilted skirt in your tartan is a good choice for any woman. Add a white blouse or some such, and--voila--you're all set. You could go for an arisaid or something, but it's not really necessary.

Enjoy.

**thescot** · 15th May 07, 10:30 AM

And, uh, Alan H, feel free to keep sending those examples. I'm getting ideas for my own wife, and some of them have to do with clothing.

ON a serious note, Panache and Alan both make the excellent suggestion of a "little black dress" with sash for dressy affairs. Cant' beat it.

For the booth, I still like the tartan kilted skirt. Or even jeans with a tartan sash if you don't have a skirt yet.

**starbkjrus** · 15th May 07, 11:39 AM

The second post in this thread has a very nice pic of David & Helen Dalglesh at the 2007 Ferintosh Burns Supper. Two excellent formal outfits.

**gangreenfootball** · 15th May 07, 12:28 PM

Just smile and be proud!

**Arlen** · 15th May 07, 01:03 PM

Most of the dress suggestions are absolutely gorgeous.
My fiancee teaches Scottish country dancing and at the balls the ladies wear absolutely stunning ballgowns and regularly outshine the men.
At a less formal event there are three things that will make you outstrip him and the other ladies. (IMHO)
1: Classy.
2: Simple.
3: Confidence.

Find an outfit you like that fits well and you feel good wearing. It doesn't have to have tiaras to make you shine.

**Alan H** · 15th May 07, 02:09 PM

This page has pictures of the 'typical" kilted skirts with lengths associated with the names, so you know what you're talking about. Kind of funny, since it' an Italian page.

http://www.clansmanitalia.com/skirts.html

Also, the model actually resembles a normal human female, and not some supermodel-gorgeous, either top-heavy or skinny-as-a-rail bombshell.