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  1. #1
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    6th July 07
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    Quote Originally Posted by Butterfly Aussie View Post
    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..........
    Have a look at the past threads in the pictures section,"Stone Mountain" is one that springs to mind. You are confused? Worry not, so am I! I have never been to an American "games" so I had a real shock when I saw some of the pictures! Pirates? Chaps with all sorts of weaponry just wandering about? Ladies in all sorts of "Highland attire"?Period highland attire?Great kilts? Each to their own, but traditional Highland games, no way! But it all looks good fun.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
    Have a look at the past threads in the pictures section,"Stone Mountain" is one that springs to mind. You are confused? Worry not, so am I! I have never been to an American "games" so I had a real shock when I saw some of the pictures! Pirates? Chaps with all sorts of weaponry just wandering about? Ladies in all sorts of "Highland attire"?Period highland attire?Great kilts? Each to their own, but traditional Highland games, no way! But it all looks good fun.

    Oh my, Jock! I wish you would come over for a visit...we'd have so much fun seeing the sights at these American games. My jaw never fails to drop, nor my head shake in amazement at what can be seen at these games!

    But is your heart strong enough?

  3. #3
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    My wife, mother, sisters have been to a number of highland games over the years. Jock's description of what women wear in the Highlands to games is just what they have worn. Firstly, they dress for comfort and the weather. In Scotland that would usually mean a tweed skirt or trousers, perhaps corduroy. Wellington boots. Barbours. An occasional tartan skirt. Here in the US it usually is bl**dy hot at the various games. Then they would wear whatever "nice" Southern ladies wear to outdoor events!

    I have seen many, many ( too many! ) women manning the clan tents at our games wearing various imagined forms of period dress. I just don't understand why they like to play dress-up and wear costumes, for that is what they are wearing!

  4. #4
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    5th November 08
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    ...wear whatever "nice" Southern ladies wear to outdoor events!
    Bingo! Since you're in Florida (my Mrs. is from Gainesville, by the way), I'd suggest that you wear what is comfortable. If you want a jacket made from your tartan, that would be "correct". If want a tartan skirt, whether pleated or not, that would be "correct". If you want to wear blue jeans and a Gators hoodie, that would be "correct". If you want to dress the way my Mrs. did in the picture I posted, that would be "correct", although it is sort of costumey (and awfully hot for your neck of the woods.)

    You originally said you've received several different opinions about what to wear or not to wear. That's not a bad thing, because you get to pick and choose from all of it to come up with what works for you.

    I hope some of our lady members will join in this discussion. They all have impeccable taste, and can give you a different sort of guidance.
    --dbh

    When given a choice, most people will choose.

  5. #5
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    4th September 08
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    Well, according to Scottish Patterns.com this is the "Women's Modern National Dress"



    The shoes are ladies' dancing ghillies btw.

    This is my take on that outfit. I'm not too fond of the super fluffy sleeves. I substituted a corset for the vest and my shoes are leather ballet flats. I'm wearing kilt hose without flashes.



    I think my look is somewhere between the "national dress" and that of a highland dancer.

    --Chelsea McMurdo--

    P.S. There is a social group on here called the Ladies of XMTS. We aren't always very talkative, but you can get some female perspective there.
    This post is a natural product made from Recycled electrons. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Squeaky McMurdo View Post
    Well, according to Scottish Patterns.com this is the "Women's Modern National Dress"



    The shoes are ladies' dancing ghillies btw.

    This is my take on that outfit. I'm not too fond of the super fluffy sleeves. I substituted a corset for the vest and my shoes are leather ballet flats. I'm wearing kilt hose without flashes.



    I think my look is somewhere between the "national dress" and that of a highland dancer.

    --Chelsea McMurdo--

    P.S. There is a social group on here called the Ladies of XMTS. We aren't always very talkative, but you can get some female perspective there.
    I am sorry to disappoint you,but who ever came up that rubbish(first picture)! I have never ever seen a female of any sort wearing an outfit like that in Scotland! I have just shown the first picture to my wife who has fallen about laughing and spilt her sherry!

  7. #7
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    That's why I put it in quotations Jock...I wasn't really buying that it's the national dress for ladies. It drew a snort and a chuckle from me too when I first saw it.
    This post is a natural product made from Recycled electrons. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

  8. #8
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    I do have my suspicions that the closing on the left woman's kilt is not traditional - as a girl I wore kilts - that is over 50 years ago now, and they closed on the right.

    I can remember my Mum putting in the pin and stabbing my right leg with it.

    Of course, 'traditionally' no honest woman would wear a mini skirt, or mini length anything in public - hence the Cutty Sark being so eye popping to Tam O'Shanter, and circus/music hall/theatre performers in tights being thought scandalous.

    Those of Shakespeare's plays, (once women could act in them) where a woman disguises herself in male attire always attracted audiences keen to admire a shapely leg.

    Hemlines for the masses rose only after the death of Queen Victoria.

    If you wish to wear the arisaid then you need to be fully dressed beneath it - it is more like the open in front overskirt or coat dress of the 16th century European woman or child of either sex.

    The 'Women's Modern National Dress' looks rather like a lightweight great kilt worn between a blouse and a waistcoat - which doesn't look right, it doesn't even look flattering.

    Anne the Pleater :ootd:

  9. #9
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    23rd August 09
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    Gentlemen,

    It is amazing what you do see. I think the wildest thing I ever saw was a lass wearing said outfit with the bodice incredibly lowcut and a 6 to 8 inch dagger precisly placed and arising from the cleavage.

    Quote Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR View Post
    Oh my, Jock! I wish you would come over for a visit...we'd have so much fun seeing the sights at these American games. My jaw never fails to drop, nor my head shake in amazement at what can be seen at these games!

    But is your heart strong enough?

  10. #10
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    23rd August 08
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
    Have a look at the past threads in the pictures section,"Stone Mountain" is one that springs to mind. You are confused? Worry not, so am I! I have never been to an American "games" so I had a real shock when I saw some of the pictures! Pirates? Chaps with all sorts of weaponry just wandering about? Ladies in all sorts of "Highland attire"?Period highland attire?Great kilts? Each to their own, but traditional Highland games, no way! But it all looks good fun.
    Jock, it wasn't always that way. The first games I attended back in the mid '70's, were the Carmel Games held at the 17 mile drive polo grounds, and the Santa Rosa games held at the county fair grounds. Renfaire and pirate costumes were not worn, and very few kilts were seen. The venue consisted of the athletics, piping and the Highland dancing. I did attend the Black Forrest Renaissance Faire in those days, however, wearing the costumes to the Scottish games was not a consideration.

    I will admit, the wearing of the costumes to the games nowadays does make the games more,...interesting.
    [I][B]Nearly all men can stand adversity. If you really want to test a man’s character,
    Give him power.[/B][/I] - [I]Abraham Lincoln[/I]

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