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An arisaid was a popular form of regional dress for women in the Scottish Highlands during the 18th century. They were seldom brightly coloured, often combining a plain white or cream ground with alternating bars of red, yellow, blue and black.
Typically composed of two lengths of heavy plaiding material joined by a central seam, the wearer could comfortably enclose themselves within its ample folds to stave off the cold and damp. Many had a second life as household textiles, reused as blankets and bedding. It was common practice for owners to sew their initials into their arisaid.
Wearers would often sew their initials into their arisaids as a mark of ownership. Textiles were highly prized commodities in Georgian Britain. Detail of arisaid, c.1790 (H.SMA 2)
Arisaid, c. 1790 (H.SMA 2)
Arisaid, c. 1790 (H.SMA 2)
Arisaid, c. 1790 (H.SMA 2)
Arisaid, c. 1790 (H.SMA 2)
The size and thickness of arisaids made them excellent pieces of outerwear. They were typically worn for travel, social calling, and attendance at kirk. Detail of arisaid, c.1790 (H.SMA 2)
