My friend and I will both be working at TRF this season, for a Scottish food vendor. We both have the basics: a white chemise, petticoat, basic skirts, muffin hat and a bodice. What sorts of jewelry or additional items of clothing would y'all suggest to spice up our outfits and get us in touch with our inner Scot? :o
A middle class woman probably wouldn't have much in terms of jewelry. You might have a pearl necklace or, more likely, some simple gold earrings/simple gold necklace.
I'd add maybe a brooch with some dried heather or thistles pinned under it. But, really, I'd stick to maybe a nice embroidered coif and some nicer materials rather than the jewelry.
I have Celtic circle earrings. Since I wear a cross most of the time, in real life, I have a Celtic cross that I wear with my Buchanan garb.
I recommend Celtic knotwork jewelry from Uncommon Adornments (http://www.uncommonadornments.com/index.html). I own several pairs of their earrings and I love 'em! They compliment all garb and can also be worn outside of faire. I checked their faire schedule and they'll be at TRF! :)
You might find this an interesting read:
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:http://medievalscotland.org/clothing/scotwomen.shtml
In particular, this quote taken from the site:
"One exception to this is that, at least in the 16th century, burgh women were known to wear long rectangular (tartan) plaids as shawls, which are described in the books referenced above. [Please note that the idea of 'clan tartans' is not only a 19th century concept, but women in towns did not belong to clans.]"
I think that might be a nice touch.
Of course, I'd say the *best* accessory a Scottish lass might wear is a kilted lad upon her arm. :) ;)
Or a spool of blue silk ribbon on her belt...lol