Waist Sash

A sash (Arabic: shash) is a cloth belt used to hold a robe together, and is usually tied about the waist. Decorative sashes may pass from the shoulder to the hip rather than around the waist. Sash is an Arabic loanword that was introduced into the English language in 1590. In Latin America and some countries of Africa, a special presidential sash indicates a president's authority. Most of the European Royal families wear sashes as a part of their royal (and/or military) regalia (the privileges and the insignia characteristic of a Sovereign).

Until 1914 sashes were worn as a peace-time mark of rank by officers of the Imperial German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies, amongst others. Japanese officers continued the practice in full dress uniform until 1940. The purpose was twofold, it made the officers distinctive in the smoke and fog of war, but it also acted as litter when wounded and (in the case of officers) as a shroud.  When khaki SD was first introduced the sash was not worn because it was an undress field uniform, but in an effort to dress up the drab uniform for parade in the 1920s permission was granted for the sash to be worn again. Officers however, continued only to wear the sash with best uniform and that is still the case today, when it is only worn with No1 Dress Ceremonial around the waist.