Tartan sashes are an important accessory of women’s kilt outfits, and every Scottish lady wears it to complete her dress. Choosing the right kilt sash is not as easy as it looks and involves some considerations. In this guide, we will highlight some practical tips for choosing a kilt sash from different perspectives, such as matching them, material selection, and more. Let’s begin without wasting time.
What Is a Kilt Sash, and Who Wears It?
A tartan sash is a plaid stripe with a length of 90 inches and is 12 inches wide as its standard size. The sashes usually have the same patterns of the kilts that are worn. When the concern is the right gender to wear, both genders wear it.
Therefore, the term “kilt sash” is common in women, while men wear fly plaids. Both are a bit different, as a kilt sash is a vertical stripe while a fly plaid is a rectangular piece of fabric. Sashes further have various types, such as traditional, mini, royal, and clan sashes, and all are suitable for various events.
Tips for Choosing the Right Sash
When choosing the right kilt sash, many things are important to consider, such as the event’s theme, season, material choices, etc. If you excel in these factors, you are ready to opt for an ideal one.
Consider the event and dress code: Consider the event’s formality as the primary factor. If you are wearing it on a ceremonial occasion, prefer a clan tartan sash. Otherwise, a plain or modern fabric can also work.
Think about the season and climate: Seasonal considerations are also important as they decide the weight of fabric. Heavyweight material may be right for you in winter, while lightweight fabric ensures maximum breathability in summer.
Match (or contrast) based on personal style: Knowing the difference between matching and contrasting patterns while selecting a sash is an important factor. So, decide earlier on the style that you will adopt for the next event.
Don’t forget accessories: Matching a sash only with your kilt is not sufficient; therefore, you must prioritize other accessories such as sporrans, kilt pins, kilt socks, and shoes.
How to Match Your Sash to Your Tartan
We just talked about matching the sashes with other accessories. As tartan kilts are the central part of outfits, making a matching or contrasting pair with them should be the priority along with other embellishments.
Same Tartan Set: Kilt outfits usually come with the same tartan sets, so you can wear the same patterned kilts and sashes. In case you opt for a contrasting style, make sure the patterns do not clash with each other.
Solid Colour Sashes: Another matching aspect is going with solid or plain coloured sashes. You can keep the tartan patterns aside and choose only one shade, but it must complement your kilt. The most common choices are black and brown, as they make nice combinations with all patterns.
Material Choices
The material choice matters while opting for a perfect traditional kilt sash. It is not a simple piece of fabric, but many materials are used to make it.
Wool: Wool is the traditional material used in making traditional sashes. It is a warm and durable material, and its use is common in formal dress such as wedding outfits.
Silk or Chiffon: Silk and chiffon are soft and luxurious materials and not as popular as wool. But still they make sashes, and people wear them in several settings.
Polyviscose: It is a synthetic material that looks like tartan but is artificial. Polyviscose is a more durable and economical option for sashes but lacks breathability. Therefore, Scots prefer it for formal settings.
Styling a Kilt Sash
When you have chosen the right kilt sash, the next thing is styling it. The different sizes and styles of fabrics clarify that styling techniques vary as well. At formal events, ladies style them in traditional ways, while modern layering tips work perfectly in contemporary events.
The Traditional Styling Way
It is simple to wear a sash in a conventional way.
- The first thing should be choosing the right size according to your height.
- Take a sash and fold it diagonally on the central point to make a triangle.
- Place the jointed part on the left shoulder and pull the other side down from the right.
Attach a brooch on the shoulder with a specific length hanging down from the brooch.
Modern/Fashionable Styling
In casual settings, women prefer attaching sashes in modern styles for elegant looks. There are multiple ways to style them fashionably.
Belted Style Sash: Women wrap the sash around their body, leaving a specific length of fabric hanging on the front side, and fasten it using a brooch or a pin.
The Plaid Pinning Style: Ladies often need a broader sash to style in this particular way. They divide the plaid in two parts from the center and cross it over the shoulder. The pinning point is at the right side just above the hips.
Where to Buy High-quality Kilt Sashes
Now that you know about the choosing, matching, and styling tips of tartan sashes, the next step is finding a store to buy premium-quality fabrics. You will come across many online stores, but none of them can compete with Utility Kilt UK from the quality, customisation, and affordability perspective. At our store, we offer everything that you expect from the ideal. Every day is a working day for us, and our team is available 24/7 to guide you and answer your queries.
FAQs About Kilt Sashes and Their Answers
What length should a woman’s kilt sash be for different body types?
The standard size of a kilt sash is 90 inches long and 12 inches wide. Those who are fat or slim, short or tall, can contact us at +44 161 3991718 to find the ideal size according to their body type.
How to secure a sash without a brooch?
It is an ideal approach to use a brooch at formal events. If you don’t have one, secure it with a safety pin underneath the sash.
Are there specific tartans that are more popular for women’s sashes?
Women can wear all tartans, but Ladies Royal Stewart Tartan, Dress Stewart, and Black Watch are more popular among this gender because of their vibrant shades.
Can I have a sash made from a family heirloom tartan?
Yes, you can have a sash made with your family or clan tartan. In fact, it is a traditional approach to dress up in family patterns for formal events.
Do any Scottish regions or clans have special ways of wearing the sash?
No, there are no clan or regional ways to wear tartan sashes, but the wives of clan chiefs or regimental servants often wear them on their left shoulders.
