Scottish Women's Garb

[Lady Kett]

Hello all,

Definite newbie here, trying to piece together a couples outfit for our first garbing endeavor. I have convinced my husband that he would indeed look quite striking in a kilt (which he has decided to outfit with a black suede vest, matching fly plaid and some lovely custom boots) but I'm at quite a loss on what to do with myself. There is one matrimonial agreement in this garbing and that is: in order to get him in a kilt, my garb must include some creative displays of cleavage. I consider this a small price to pay and relatively easily achievable in concept. Reality is proving more of a challenge though.

My first thought was something like this ...
http://www.foreverfaire.com/foreverfaire/Scottish_Ensemble.html

Except it looks like it would be QUITE toasty on a Texas Ren Faire Day (Scarby is our local, and TRF is not so far down the road). I thought the chemise & stays (assuming I have picked up the proper lingo) could be adjusted to handle my end of the bargain.


My second thought was something like this ...
http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/pictures/bbt03.jpg

Except I can't figure out how to make the cleavage part work - it just doesn't seem to fit with the way that set is made. (please correct me if I am wrong!).


My third thought was, that I truly adore this outfit, except it's labeled as Irish and I've got this whole Scottish-Kilt-have-to-match-in-some-way mission. Could this somehow be worked out with a tartan skirt and/or arised? (there are ENTIRELY too may ways to spell that, by the way)

https://www.sofisstitches.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=109
[edited to provide proper link for Profound Thought #3]


My last thought, after tromping through the mud last week at Scarby, was that I really do not want a full length gown or skirt. I truly want something about 6" off the ground, and to add some nice half boots to the garb so that I can tastefully dodge at least some, if not all, of the mud on blustery days.


So I think I ultimately have two questions after all that babbling -

1) Does cutting the length from full length to 6" off the ground commit any sort of faux paus I will later regret, and...

2) I would dearly love some of your thoughts on the 3 options I've narrowed down. There is such talent in this forum and there is not much I have been able to find on Scottish Women's garb dos and don'ts on the Web. I look forward to anything you can offer!

Thank you so very much!

[Celtic_Fae]

I have a custom job of the first ensemble you posted, and it really is quite comfortable in the heat as long as you go with the flannel and not the wool. You posted the same links for the 2nd and 3rd options you were considering.

[Margaret]

Can I get a boobs rule!!   

And good bodice will allow you to show off the girls without over exposing yourself.  What an Elizabethan bodice is designed to to is to encourage the body into a flat front more conical type shape.  Due to the fact that the garment is trying to flatten out your front - your boobs get pushed up (much to the delight of your husband    )  If you have never worn one before - they do fit tighter than our modern clothing (which is why your boobs get pushed up) but they should not fit so tightly that you are in pain or cannot breathe.  The first type of bodice you posted should manage this quite well.

The gown you posted from the Very Merry Seamstress has a bodice that is designed to support the bust a bit differently.  I did not see her description of the garment, but if she has that bodice boned, it will still provide you with ample cleavage, but probably not as much as the first bodice.

Also - in the display photos, the models are wearing their chemise up pretty high.  You can pull it down a bit too as to show off a bit more.  Happy garb buying!!

[flidais]

My husband also does the scottish thing.  Ahhhh nothing better than a man in a kilt.  You can make just about any garb you choose to wear, have a scottish flare.  Whether you are going for a wench look or something more noble.  Add things like a tartan scarf.  Mine is wool.  I hang it over my sholder and pin it to my bodice sholder strap using a thistle brooch.  Pick up scottish/irish/celtic jewelry.  I wouldn't worry to much about wearing something labeled irish when you are going for scottish. 

I have this dress.
http://www.anntquittyswardrobe.com/women_cloths_costume.htm
I wear it with a leine, a plain gathered underskirt. straw hat and long black leather belt.  And without the hoops shown in the pic. You could always wear it with a dark colored chemise under it (that could be more ankle length).  And pull the front corners of the dress up and tuck them into a belt.  And then put a skirt under it and leave the dress down on less muddy days.

So many options.  I guess basically where I'm going with this, is that you can take some basic pieces that fit well and you give your girls that lift.  Skirt, bodice and chemise.  And add little pieces that will give it that Highland flare.  Have fun!!!

[Lady Kett]

Flidais that is a lovely gown, just lovely.

I also fixed link #3 (should NOT post late at night!) and thank you Kathryn and Margaret for your thoughts!

[Celtic_Fae]

The Sofi's Stitches dress you posted is widely sold---so, if you're going to go with it, check out other vendors for a possible lower price.

[Malcolm]

You might want to add an Arisaid to that Irish Dress, like this:
http://www.lindaclifford.com/Arisaid.html
It's a lot like a Great Kilt, only less fabric. 3 yards of 60 inch fabric should work. And since they didn't hem back then, there's NO SEWING required.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

You might want to add an Arisaid to that Irish Dress, like this:
http://www.lindaclifford.com/Arisaid.html
It's a lot like a Great Kilt, only less fabric. 3 yards of 60 inch fabric should work. And since they didn't hem back then, there's NO SEWING required.

I bought some fabric for an arisaid.  I must not have done it correctly, because when I put it on, I had an extra foot and a half of backside sticking out of me.  And my bottom doesn't need any enhancement.  So I am not an arisaid fan at the moment!

[Lady Catherine]

Hi! I am playing a scottish dressmaker at TNRF on cast this year. Here is my costume:





It is basically a modified "irish" dress in the late Elizabethan style in my clan colors, then I added a my Tartan sash. sorry it is falling off! I will get better shots this weekend!

you can also goole the shinroan gown, an extant from ireland.
as well:   http://www.medievalscotland.org/clothing/scotwomen.shtml