Ladies Shawls, Scarves and Shoulder Plaids

[Lyle1]

Electric Scotland has a sheet on their website that they claim is the official word from The Court of The Lord Lyon.

Not too sure I believe the claim but you can click here to see the article.

That sheet is no longer on the Lord Lyon's website, which is being extensively revised. A very few years ago, there was a statement on that website to the effect that the Lord Lyon did not consider tartans and/or ladies apparel to be under his preview. Now it simply lists links to appropriate websites.

From Matt Newsome's blog: (http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/search?q=sash)

"As a final note about the lady's sash -- the old adage about what shoulder she wears it on denoting rank in the clan is a myth. If you are right handed, it should be worn on the left shoulder, and vice versa. Why? Because it's more practical that way!"

[Cygnus]

That sheet is no longer on the Lord Lyon's website, which is being extensively revised. A very few years ago, there was a statement on that website to the effect that the Lord Lyon did not consider tartans and/or ladies apparel to be under his preview. Now it simply lists links to appropriate websites.

From Matt Newsome's blog: (http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/search?q=sash)

"As a final note about the lady's sash -- the old adage about what shoulder she wears it on denoting rank in the clan is a myth. If you are right handed, it should be worn on the left shoulder, and vice versa. Why? Because it's more practical that way!"

If I might play the devil's advocate for a moment - Lyon might not view tartans and sashes as falling under his purview, but how long does it take a myth to become a tradition? I think the way a woman wears her sash, to some, might very well be a tradition now!

As to Alex's friend, I agree with Sandy - a shawl should be worn however is most comfortable in the situation. I admit to being a subscriber to the "mythical" guidelines for tartan sashes, though!