Ladies - Pictures please to help me out!

[ShaunMaxwell]

Tobus:

No worries from this quarter. I understand your point completely.

SM

[creagdhubh]

The same is true, Kyle, of your great-aunt in the dancing photos. In the picture showing her right side, see how the tartan pattern "flows" down her back? How lovely is that? She looks for all the world like she's been wearing it comfortably and naturally all her life (which perhaps she has!). I really think that this free-flowing look displays the simple beauty of tartan at its finest.



Now this isn't to say that wearing it in a more straight-line folded fashion, and pinned together at the bottom, isn't "correct" or traditional. Your wife, Kyle, looks absolutely lovely in the photos, and indeed you should be proud to have her on your arm. But do you see what I'm saying about how much more interesting and natural a tartan sash can look when it's allowed to drape and flow?

I hope this is all taken in the spirit in which it was intended, viz., interesting conversation and food for thought.

Tobus,

Thanks for your tactful reply mate, your comments are always welcomed and much appreciated. I hope I did not come across as defencive or in a 'huff' with my initial response, as that was most certainly not my intent, nor tone.

I completely agree with your keen observations. I absolutely love the manner in which my great-aunt (Catriona Macpherson) wears her sash - free-flowing and allowed to drape naturally and rather gracefully down her back. As far as I am aware, this is the way she as always worn her sash. This particular sash is the Macpherson weathered tartan by Lochcarron - matching the kilt of my great-uncle (Lloyd Macpherson).

My wife does tend to wear her sashes in the folded and pinned fashion, it's simply her personal preference, and I respect that. I think she would definitely be open to wearing her sash in another way, perhaps something more along the lines of my great-aunt, Catriona. I must admit, it was a challenge enough to convince her to wear the tartan of my clan in place of her Clann Donnachie tartan - she's such a staunch supporter of her own clan, and rightly so! Yes, I am a lucky man to have her as my wife, and I thank God everyday.

Thanks again for your comments and perspective, Tobus.

Cheers my friend,

[creagdhubh]

Great photo, Shaun! Thanks for sharing. In my opinion, there is nothing incorrect about a clanswoman wearing her sash in the "Miss America" style, as it is indeed one of the correct versions of wearing the tartan sash with female Highland attire - more specifically in regards to female Highland evening attire - when most sashes are worn with evening/formal dresses.

Cheers,

[xman]

If she's not into scottish attire herself a sash might seem a little odd to wear. I would consider a tartan shawl or stole as well if I were you.

[bdkilted]

Here is the same one I posted for father and son, but you can see my wife in her kilted skirt and sash. She also occasionally wears the "flower" up over her right shoulder and the rest of the sash hanging down the back.

[gary meakin]

My wife with a rosette and daughter with the Miss America sash.
(of course I think my daughter could be Miss America so that helps)

[sydnie7]

Can't locate a photo in my archives, but will try to describe another option. One end of sash is gathered into a rosette which is invisibly held with a small rubber band or the like and finished off with a decorative brooch in the center. The rosette is placed on the front of one shoulder with the long end of sash trailing over the shoulder and hanging down behind. The weight of the brooch is enough to keep this in place during light activity (walking, but not dancing). Not having it pinned on allows you to a) not have pinholes in your evening dress and b) easily remove/place it when desired.

[bonnie heather]

Here's a photo of me and my dance friends wearing our sashes with one end coming down over the front, gathering about 12" of the sash into a loop with a small rubber band, and pinning a brooch where it's gathered. The long end of the sash is going back over our shoulders and is pinned on the right hip.

[creagdhubh]

Examples of ladies tartan sash wearing - courtesy my lovely wife, Stephanie and my great-aunt and uncle (dancing in the photos) whom live in Inverness-shire Scotland:









Regards,

[creagdhubh]

Lovely!