A possible dancing myth?

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 8th February 08, 05:50 PM

I don't understand why a single sentence in a book published 94 years ago in London should be construed as license to disregard the norms of "highland" dress for ladies. There are accepted customs for how people should dress, and wearing the sash on the "proper" shoulder is one of them. These customs actually are "rules" for military wives, and for ladies in the RSCDS when dancing.

Will anyone say anything? Well, in Scotland, probably not.-- That would be boorish. But you can bet your bottom dollar that it will not escape notice, nor will it go without comment. Especially by the "sows" who play by the rules.

**Sketraw** · 8th February 08, 06:57 PM

The Wearing of Sashes by Ladies in Evening Dress - Lyon Court Leaflet 4

The Actual Leaflet No 4 from Lyon Court

The pdf can be downloaded from the foot of the page above

**Arlen** · 8th February 08, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

I don't understand why a single sentence in a book published 94 years ago in London should be construed as license to disregard the norms of "highland" dress for ladies.

All I'm really saying is I am interested in how the 'rules' came about.
In my time dancing I have heard all sorts of 'rules' about what colour of hose men are permitted to wear and exactly which hip you should turn your sporran to while dancing.
But those, like this, are just things that people have been told year by year is the way it is done.
I am an interested in finding out WHY it is done.

What exactly are the 'norms' of highland dress, anyway?
In my whole life I have been told more norms and rules and reasons to do with highland dress than I can count. From what kilts I can wear to what colour shirt I am allowed to wear with what tartan.
I wear highland dress because it is comfortable, it is clothing that fits with my day-to-day life, and it, for me personally, reflects my love of the place I was born.
When the kilt was first worn there were no set rules for tartan or what to do at what kind of dance.
I am just interested in finding out when these things changed, who decided they should change and what reasons they had for the changes?

**Sketraw** · 8th February 08, 07:17 PM

Oh its probably another one of Skenes 'A History of Scotland' 1837 fantasy history books, written for Victorians & read by Victorians and approved by Sir Walter Scott in good old Victorian Waverley Novel fashion.

OK I am cynical!

Slainte

**Arlen** · 8th February 08, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Sketraw

Oh its probably another one of Skenes 'A History of Scotland' 1837 fantasy history books, written for Victorians & read by Victorians and approved by Sir Walter Scott in good old Victorian Waverley Novel fashion.

OK I am cynical!

Slainte

Unfortunately I think I am a bit of a cynic, too.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 8th February 08, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Sketraw

Oh its probably another one of Skenes 'A History of Scotland' 1837 fantasy history books, written for Victorians & read by Victorians and approved by Sir Walter Scott in good old Victorian Waverley Novel fashion.

OK I am cynical!

Slainte

Every school boy knows it was Porter's "THE SCOTTISH CHIEFS".

Lyrically cynical, too!

**Highland Logan** · 8th February 08, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

I don't understand why a single sentence in a book published 94 years ago in London should be construed as license to disregard the norms of "highland" dress for ladies. There are accepted customs for how people should dress, and wearing the sash on the "proper" shoulder is one of them. These customs actually are "rules" for military wives, and for ladies in the RSCDS when dancing.

Will anyone say anything? Well, in Scotland, probably not.-- That would be boorish. But you can bet your bottom dollar that it will not escape notice, nor will it go without comment. Especially by the "sows" who play by the rules.

I have to agree....

Frank

**James MacMillan** · 13th February 08, 05:01 AM

I don't tell my wife how to dress and I don't seek her advice on which tartan goes with which shirt. I also steer away from those dreaded questions like:

"Does this make me look fat?"

The only correct answer to a question like this is to have an immediate coughing fit and need to be assisted with medical aid until she forgets the question.

It's like in Hawaii, they are supposed to wear the flower over the _____ ear if they are married and over the _____ ear if they are single? Or a man with an ear-ring in his right ear is prone to _____ and in the left ear if he is prone to _____.

**Phil** · 13th February 08, 05:12 AM

I have come across this too. And when words such as "Country Dance Society" and "Ladies" are uttered in the same breath you had better believe that the "rules" will be universally known and strictly observed. I have been to these kind of events and women are real sticklers for rules and protocol, much worse than any man. At one they wouldn't even let a non-committee member into the kitchen to help with the dishes, can you believe that? It really is that bad. Thank God I'm a man!

**vmac3205** · 31st May 08, 01:09 PM

According to "So You Want to Wear Kilt" the sash is worn over the right shoulder except for nobility and Scottish Country Dancers. I dance on our demo team, and the sash is worn on the left shoulder, and crosses down across the back and pins to the right hip. One end is pinned, the other end is worn loose so it can fly.