Ladies Traditional Highland Dress

[Jack Daw]

I go to several Highland games throughout the U.S., and for both men and women, the colder it gets the more brigadoonery. Which is to say that in Texas, the usual thing I've seen women wear is regular outdoor clothing, plus a small shoulder sash with a clan crest badge pinning it.

[Jock Scot]

I go to several Highland games throughout the U.S., and for both men and women, the colder it gets the more brigadoonery. Which is to say that in Texas, the usual thing I've seen women wear is regular outdoor clothing, plus a small shoulder sash with a clan crest badge pinning it.

Even that is too flash for the ladies of Scotland!

[Dixiecat]

I wasn't really buying that it's the national dress for ladies

Actually it is. Just not it's not quite the national dress that kilts are to men. I'm sorry that Jock and his Mrs. laugh at that, but that dress was 'invented' by some sort of committee of the Aboyne Gathering (or games) for women to wear as wearing the kilt was forbidden to women at that and other games. In 1954, I believe (please don't quote me on that) this costume was standardized for women and was then incorporated into the SOBHD costume rules for female dancers. Which is as follows:

DRESS FOR NATIONAL DANCES
FEMALE
Type 1
Bodice: Velvet, waist length, laced up the front and scalloped or petal design all the way around the bottom. Ornamental buttons may be worn on the front and narrow braid may be used to trim the scallops.
Plaid: Square or rectangular pleated, fastened to the right shoulder with a Scottish brooch. The plaid should be attached to the waist at the back.
White blouse: Full sleeves to the elbow with no frills. No more than four very small tartan bows, on each sleeve may be worn. The location of the bows are optional. Frills on front of blouse are not acceptable.
Skirt: To be a tartan or similar design cloth, not necessarily worsted and should be gathered not circular. Length should be to the knee. Taffeta, satin and lurex are not acceptable.
Underskirt: White cotton with no adornments. A lace edging is acceptable provided it is cotton.
Underwear: White.
Socks: White without frill, ankle or knee high or natural coloured tights may be worn.
Footwear: Black highland dancing pumps.
Hair: No visible hair adornments.

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.

The female dancers of both Highland and Country dancing have been wearing this costume for over 50 years. You are totally correct though that it would be assumed that a woman wearing this costume would be considered a performer of some sort.

BTW, the ban for females wearing the kilt was lifted a couple of years ago.

[JSFMACLJR]

Dixiecat,
There is a HUGE difference in Aboyne Dress and the photo posted in this thread. Just take a look for yourself. Because the Aboyne Dress has "official" status as the dress worn by women engaged in the national dances of Scotland in competitions does not make it the "national garb" for women.