What Is a Kilt Sash & How to Wear It?

16 6 minutes read

Women began wearing kilts in the 20th century, often in traditional-styled versions. With the development of other variations, modern fashion statements also made women try all. As time passed, women’s kilt outfits emerged, but they were slightly different from those of men. The element setting them apart was the difference in accessories. An essential part of a ladies’ kilt outfit is the “tartan sash,” which is specific to the single-gender. This accessory is our topic today and here we will discuss everything about it including types and caring and maintenance.

Table of Contents

What Is a Kilt Sash?

Women traditionally use tartan sashes as part of their attire. Usually constructed of tartan cloth, these decorative ornaments are worn around the waist or over the shoulder to give an ensemble a hint of Scottish history. At formal gatherings including weddings, ceilidhs, and Burns Suppers, they are easy to spot.

To further represent a person’s clan loyalty, tartan sashes can be customized with a family tartan. Today, a variety of materials, including silk and wool, are used to create them. In addition, they have various designs, such as tartan patterns, to represent their clan. To honor the past, some may have traditional Scottish emblems, such as stags and thistles, sewn on them.

Types of Tartan Sashes

As discussed earlier tartan sashes have different types. These variations are different in size, pattern, color scheme, material, method of wearing, and cultural or ceremonial significance. Let’s uncover different variations of sashes and discover how they are different.

Traditional Full-Length Sash

The first and the most popular variation of Scottish sash is traditional full-length which is 11 inches wide and 90 inches long. This type is not an everyday wear but particular to formal and ceremonial events.

Miniature Sash

A miniature sash is the smaller edition of a kilt sash which is also typical for women. People also know it as mini sash or mini rosette and the reason behind this name is its size which is 5 inches wide and 42 inches long. Like a full-length sash, women wear it at traditional or cultural events.

Clan Sash

Clan sashes are ornamental scarves worn by ladies as part of Scottish Highland attire. They are often constructed in the tartan pattern of a clan. It is usually fastened with a brooch or pin and draped over the shoulder. Clan sashes are a means of showing one’s clan allegiance and giving an ensemble a hint of Scottish ancestry. A common example of such sashes is the “Ladies Hulme Tartan Kilt Sash.”

Tartan Patterns and Their Meaning in Sash

Deeply ingrained in Scottish culture, tartan patterns, or “setts,” frequently symbolize clans, families, or geographical areas. The tartan, when worn as a sash, conveys pride in one’s heritage, allegiance, and identity. Colors and stripes that represent historical importance or regional origin blend in each distinctive design.

Sashes typically drape over the shoulder during formal occasions or dances to symbolize a woman’s clan allegiance. In addition to marking clan affiliation, tartans can be used to memorialize events or identify military units or organizations. This is how tartan sashes ensure a connection of wearers to their Scottish heritage in addition to being ornamental accessories.

How to Wear a Kilt Sash Properly

Dressing every element of a traditional kilt outfit in the right way maintains its charm and traditional appearance. Wearing your sash the old-fashioned style involves tying it up into a cross on your right shoulder and wrapping it over your left hip, then securing it with a kilt brooch or pin. The wife of the clan head is the only one who wears a sash draped over the left shoulder rather than the right.

The proper manner to wear a sash varies depending on the source, though. This guideline now serves only as instruction for those who want to adhere to tradition. These days, you have greater freedom in choosing the size of sash you wear, and how you choose to style it is all up to you.

Care and Maintenance of a Kilt Sash

As we know tartan sashes are also made of the same fabric that makes tartan kilts, acrylic wool. The fabric is durable but still needs a higher level of care and maintenance compared to other fabrics. The steps and instructions involved here are:

First of all, do not wash your sash often, and if you find it necessary, ensure using cold water.
Detergents help remove permanent strains. To do so, use mild chemicals to protect the texture.
When washed, air dry it in a covered, ventilated area instead of using heating tools to dry it.
Do not expose fabric to sunlight directly because it fades the color of the fabric.
Lastly, when storing it, prioritize using a proper bag in a cool temperature area.

How to Buy a Kilt Sash

Many people consider buying a kilt sash to be a daunting task. This may seem daunting, especially for newcomers. We have a few tips here that are helpful in this scenario, even those new to this domain can buy sash easily.

Choose a Tartan: The first step is knowing which tartan you need. So, you must be aware of the event’s theme. If buying for a cultural or family event, opt for clan tartan. Otherwise, universal tartan such as Women Royal Tartan Stewart Sash may be a finer option.

Decide Type Wisely: All types of tartan sashes have different patterns and sizes and their suitability depends on the formality of occasion. Make sure first what variation fits you.

Purchase Premium Quality Product: The elegance and charm of a fabric hides in its quality. That’s why you should buy a sash made with excellent fabric for enhanced visuals and its longevity.

Select Store Wisely: The final step is selecting a store where you will buy any kilt accessory including tartan sashes. We recommend choosing reliable stores with a good reputation like The Utility Kilt.

Buy Premium Quality Tartan Sashes at The UtilityKilt

We just mentioned a store “The Utility Kilt” to buy kilt sashes. Our claim is not only an assertion but we have particular grounds to prove ourselves in this declaration. Although we are US-based, we serve Scots living in different parts of the Earth. Moreover, all our products are economical and we believe in delivering what we show. We customize every fabricated piece, and above all our store offers hassle-free return and exchange policies, in case you receive a faulty piece. Most importantly, our discounts on different products continue throughout the year. Explore our range to find a sash that suits your style.

FAQs About Kilt Sashes

Can I wear a kilt sash casually or is it only for formal events?

Usually formal events are the suitable setting to attire in kilt sashes. However, they can also be worn casually depending on their type and size.

Are kilt sashes expensive?

Sash variation and fabric quality are the primary aspects when deciding their prices. The higher the quality, the higher the price of a sash. Similarly, the size of the fabric also impacts the pricing factor.

What materials do experts usually use to make kilt sashes?

Wool, especially acrylic wool is the traditional fabric making kilt sashes. With time, several materials such as cotton and poly-viscose have also become popular.

What other accessories go well with a kilt sash?

Several accessories complement tartan sashes and they are good to pair properly. The first thing is a kilt brooch that controls the fabric on the shoulder. Similarly, a sporran, kilt pin, matching hoses, and garter flashes are important considerations to pair with tartan sash.

How does tartan sash differ from kilt sash?

A kilt sash is a specific type of tartan sash traditionally worn by women, draped over the shoulder and pinned, often for formal Highland dress. In contrast, a tartan sash is a broader term that includes various styles for both men and women, including fly plaids and shoulder plaids.