Ladies Traditional Highland Dress

[Butterfly Aussie]

I do love the mini kilts and have seen quite a few that leave next to nothing to the imagination, but my figure (though not THAT bad) is no longer mini friendly. :-)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Unless you are doing historical reenactment and trying to recreate the dress of a specific time period, then there really is no such thing as "correct" when it comes to contemporary women's Highland dress.

Point of fact, there has never been anything nearly so codified for women wearing the tartan as for men (and men's Highland dress isn't actually as codified as most people percieve it to be!).

A typical lady's tartan skirt, often called a "kilt skirt" or "kilted skirt" has pleats in the back like a man's kilt and a wrap around front apron. However it is generally made from lighter weight cloth, less material, and closes on the opposite side as a man's kilt. And, while men's kilts are knee length, women's skirts can be any length the lady desires.

However, just because this is a "typical" lady's tartan skirt does not mean it is the only option. You can have a tartan skirt that is pleated all around, that is gathered, that is not pleated at all. I've seen dresses, bodices, jumpers, and all sorts of lady's apparell made from tartan.

You have the material -- feel free to make whatever style of outfit from it you like.

The only aspect of women's tartan wear that people have attempted to codify is the wearing of the sash, specifically what shoulder it should be worn over. However, in my opinion, this was simply an attempt to bring some of the mystique of "rules and regulations" that people get so hung up about in men's Highland attire over to lady's wear. I don't put much stock in it, though you should be aware that there are those who do. Here is an article I wrote on the topic a while back.
http://albanach.org/sash.htm

[Jock Scot]

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.

[JSFMACLJR]

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?

[JSFMACLJR]

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!

[Asser 1]

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.

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?

[piperdbh]

...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.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

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.

[Jock Scot]

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!

[Squeaky McMurdo]

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.