Ladies Traditional Highland Dress

[Butterfly Aussie]

I started to get in touch with my Scottish heritage just this year. Being allergic to wool, I ordered the Robertson Modern Red in polyviscose. I am going to embark on making a kilt for myself. My question is this..what is the PROPER kilt / dress for a lady? What type of footwear is worn?

I have asked a dozen people in my area at the Highland Games and received a dozen answers/opinions.

I wish to do it properly and not be told after the fact that I did it wrong.

I thank you in advance for your expertise and guidance.

[JamieKerr]

Although this does not directly answer your question, you might try looking through this thread...there's some wonderful suggestions in here
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/l...es+wear+thread

[piperdbh]

..what is the PROPER kilt / dress for a lady? What type of footwear is worn? I have asked a dozen people in my area at the Highland Games and received a dozen answers/opinions.

It all depends on the time period you're aiming for. The "Lass's Wear" thread is your best starting point. In the meantime, here's my Mrs. in her "Highland wear".


Her skirt is a 3-layer skirt, red-black-red. The bodice is suede, laced up with long leather laces, and the white blouse is linen. It's pretty much a long nightgown sort of thing. The tartan she's wearing (ancient Lockhart) is just a big piece of fabric, belted at the waist. It's called an arisaid. And she's wearing her Keen hiking sandals.

Welcome aboard, by the way, from western North Carolina, the greatest place on Earth!

[MacLowlife]

One wise woman made reference to Out Of Bodice Experiences at Ren Fairs.

As I am sure you have realized, "traditional Highland Dress" is a moving target, spanning a few decades, or maybe a few DOZEN decades for men. If you look at the fashions for Saxon men during the same time, or for their ladies, you will see a broad variance. Trouser lengths have changed, lapels have changed, waistcoats have entered and retreated, etc. And let's not even try to chart the hemlines. Arguably, the era spanned by "traditional highland dress" for men has run from knee breeches to tee shirts, from brocades and fustian through double knit to lycra and Polarfleece (TM?)

SO, while we have agreed, more or less, that men should wear kilts and jackets and some kind of shirts and probably hose, we may not be quite so clear for ladies. I am personally very fond of the dresses shown on the Highland Clans webpages. I am not nearly so excited about or by the "traditional hostess skirt" and Victorian blouse recommended by Charles Thompson. Much depends on where you are going to be wearing it.

Piperdbh is absolutely spot on- it depends on what time period you are working on- is it Late Victorian you want or is it Between the World Wars? Or maybe even the time just after WWII?

For my nickel, you can't go wrong with the British Country Tweeds look, which hasn't altered much in the past 50 or 60 years- skirts and pullovers of a length and tautness dictated by your shape and flair, done up in tartan as you see fit. If you prefer something more theatrical or costumey, no one can stop you. If you are going formal, do consider how nice tartan silks can look. You can borrow as much or as little as you like from the men's side and it will probably look fetching on you.


While you are deciding and while you are getting up the nerve to cut into that fabric, why not try a little non-invasive experiment in the form of a lady's version of the Great Kilt- just lay it out, belt it on, and show your stuff. Chances are it will give you a sense of what you do and don't like and where the tartan looks best on you.

Whatever you decide, do send us some pictures.

[Sammac]

Sorry I cannot help with ladies dress, but welcome from Michigan

[Jock Scot]

This may sound as though I am trying to be cleaver here, but do you wish to have an answer from a traditional Scots point of view of traditional ladies attire at a Scottish highland games, or an American one for American highland games? If the picture of the charming lady a couple of posts ahead of this one is anything to go by, then you will get, probably unsurprisingly, a very different answer.

[Butterfly Aussie]

I wish to have a traditional Scots point of view. I have put together a few "American Highland games" looks as I was able to adapt a few of my Renaissance Faire outfits to look rather good (though far from the lovely lady that is pictured above). When I went to the Highland Games, I have seen ladies wearing outfits that vary from - what the lady above is wearing, to a beautiful arasaid over a leine and an "over dress (like a vest sewn to a skirt that laced up in front) sorry - I do not know the correct terminology, to beautiful Tartan skirts and kilts (with anything on top). I have also seen plain white dresses worn with a tartan sash.

I do not know what to wear if I want to represent a true, traditional image - how should I dress? Which "look" (if there is any "one look") is the correct one? When I go to the games - is there a different look? This (2009) was my very first introduction to Scottish Highland games. I have since joined both the Clan Donnachaidh and The New World Celts.

I am in the beginning stages of my learning but with so many different views/opinions as to the dress, I wish to be sure that I am doing it correctly. I want to have confidence, if I am asked about my outfit, that I will be able to say that it is indeed the correct/traditional dress. I also need to know what to wear on my feet. From head to toe - I need/want to know.

Thank you.

[Jock Scot]

I understand, but stand by for a shock! In nearly 70 years of going to Scottish highland games, perhaps one or two a year and country fairs(shooting, fishing, falconry,pipe bands,tractors etc.)another two, I have never, repeat never seen any one dressed like the lovely lady in the picture!Believe me,I would have noticed!These days jeans and pullover with wellingtons and Barbour jacket would be the norm. The ladies will also wear tweed trews, or skirts, moleskin trews and maybe corduroy trews of varying hues. A very few tartan skirts are worn although my wife, on occasion, will wear tartan(mine) trews, these are not all that common as female attire though. Unless they are members of a pipe band females will almost never(never ever actually) wear the kilt.Sensible shoes if the weather permits, but more often than not wellington boots are worn. Sandals and open shoes are rarely worn.I have a feeling that there is a distinct difference between the two sides of the Atlantic over highland games, but you did ask!

[Butterfly Aussie]

My lack of knowledge is so enormous that you sent me to google to do a search for trews as I had not one clue what you were talking about. The games will be starting here again in January (thus the reason for me to learn). I promise to take pictures and post them; then all will see why I am so confused. :-)

February 2009 was my first experience at a scaled down games held the first weekend of our Renaissance Faire. I then went to the games that were held in Zephyrhills, Sarasota & Dunedin, FL; the last games being April 5th. I was hooked from the beginning, wishing that I had asked my father about our history when he was alive (he passed in 1981).

So here I am, wanting to learn - better late than never. So keep me running to Google..........

[Lachlan09]

Though not tradititional, the mini-kilt is one of the most attractive forms of tartan for ladies who have the attributes for a mini-skirt. IMHO, mini-kilts are far smarter and "cuter" than your average mini-skirt. That goes for micro-minis too.

I still think the arisaid could also be overhauled to bring it into the 21st Century as caledonian-chic instead of being a re-enactor's form of dress.