Ladies Traditional Highland Dress

[Pleater]

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:

[BEEDEE]

I've posted this before somewhere else on the forum, but here it is again.



Brian

[Butterfly Aussie]

I've posted this before somewhere else on the forum, but here it is again.



Brian

Thank you for posting this - I have printed myself a copy and shall use it as a guide.

Why are there such differences in opinions on this side of the Atlantic? I am so grateful that all of you have taken the time to answer my inquiry. The photo that had you laughing.....I was told that that was one of the proper attires. Hopefully you can see why I was so confused. I am grateful that I found a site with folks that know what they are talking about. I shall convey what I learn.

I have just received my purchase of "The Art of Kiltmaking" by Barbara Tewksbury & Elsie Stuehmeyer and have also printed the supplement "Making a Traditional Box Pleated Kilt" by Barbara Tewksbury & Matthew Newsome.

I think with the five yards of fabric that I have, I shall begin with the Arisaidh and then try the kilt.

Thank you all again for your time, consideration and guidance. I am learning volumes.

Janis

[Highlander31]

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.

[Steve Barclay]

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!

She looks FAB!

[piperdbh]

She looks FAB!

I think so, too.
We went to several different Games this year, and this outfit (minus the tartan and shoes) was bought at the Loch Norman Games. She wore "regular" clothes to the rest of them.

[Jock Scot]

Right I have read all the posts carefully and with the impressions I have gained from looking at the pictures here and elsewhere, I know that there is a very different mind set between the two sides of the Atlantic. Nothing wrong with that, but it does cause confusion! Let us stick to the subject of "Highland Games" here and I know I am speaking in general terms, so let us not have endless posts "splitting hairs", please! It seems to me that in the USA(Canada too?) when a games happens many spectators want,need, do get into the swing of things and get involved by dressing up in "Scottish"attire. OK, OKAY! As it has already been pointed out, not all American games are like this, but it seems many are and the delightful picture of the lady dressed in "highland"attire plus the original post with the question confirms that many consider going to games dressed that way.No problems with that, all very charming, BUT that is not traditional dress to a Scottish Highland Games, and that was the question that was asked. Now I have no wish to be rude, condescending, holier than though, mocking, or insulting here, but in Scotland, spectators go to spectate and not to get involved by getting dressed up in some weird and wonderful get up that might look at home in the theatre. As to the kilt, men dressed in the kilt is attire not a costume. Sorry ladies, if you went dressed up in the outfits, great though they are, suggested in the pictures above to a Highland games in Scotland you would stick out like a sore thumb and it would be assumed that you were part of the performance (in what capacity I am not sure) in the arena. I think in this case, we must accept that there are different ways of doing things and as in many other things, the trip across the Atlantic does things to traditions!

[MacLowlife]

Jock, are there Renaissance Faires or similar festivals in Scotland?

[macwilkin]

Jock, are there Renaissance Faires or similar festivals in Scotland?

It's not a Ren Faire, but I know Pour1Malt has posted some photos from a music festival in Scotland with some pretty "unconventional" kilt kit.

T.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, are there Renaissance Faires or similar festivals in Scotland?

In truth I don't know for sure, as I am not quite clear what happens at a Renaissance Fair, but I don't think so, certainly not as a matter of course I would say. There are, however, assorted "period events" at this castle or that, mainly in England I think, that do a Civil War weekend,or, jousting,or, some such. Sometimes, at large country shows(tractors, farm machinery, shooting, fishing, falconry, sheep, horses, cattle) there are sometimes a wee demonstration by the Black Watch re-enactors,for example, that may take up 20 minutes or so in the arena.