kilts and dancing

[philibeg]

well, this is kinda of a silly question but it's about something that's been bothering me...I am a fanatical Irish set dancer...set dancing is NOT like Riverdance, it is a descendant of 19th century quadrilles and is danced in groups of 8, with 4 men and 4 women making up a 'set'. Set dancing is a highly aerobic (sweaty) pastime and the one occassion that I wore my kilt to dance in was the coolest and most comfortable that I ever experienced. I would like to wear my kilt more often to dance...but set dancing involves a good deal of twirling and I don't want to reavel myself to all my dancing friends and anyone else who might be in the pub everytime we go into a "swing". On the otherhand, wearing underwear with a kilt just doesn't feel right to me. In fact, I would find it shameful to do so, like i was letting down the side, even though I know some Scotsmen that do....Hamish,or indeed anybody else, what's the rule here? Underwear when ladies are present? Underwear when dancing in public? I've been to Ceilidhs in Scotland where the lads were certainly not wearing any, as was made plain to all during "Strip the Willow", but I don't really dare to do that as the only kilted man in an Irish set...any advice?

[Casey]

To wear underwear, or not, to wear underwear? That, is the question. For me, like kilts, tartan or plain, wear, or wear not, what one wants.

[bubba]

Underwear is appropriate under those circumstances. Black would be best.

[MDR-V300]

I have a suggestion, before you need stray from your principles:
If it's at all possible, have someone witness you do these twirls in private [with/without underwear depending on who that someone is].
I've found that even in very aggressive dancing sitchyations, modesty is conserved with a decent kilt.

The only problem is the ridiculously fast spin/jump, which is likely to put you on your **** anyway. Or... maybe if you were a shumka dancer, or something.

Underwear makes you a little warmer when dancing, but a lot more when dancing in a situation where you *have* to wear it.


Maybe it's just me, though. I won't dance in pants.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

This is not a matter of the dance, but rather the construction of the kilt. Trust me on THIS ONE...

I've made kilts for set dancing and they're NOT the standard casual kilts that we know. These are VERY much like the authentic kilts... but the fell stitching runs to the bottom of the bum. That way, the sway and flair stops at the stitch. It's like having an ACE bandage around the "goods" and pleats hanging from there.

If you look closely at an authentic traditional, the pleats will sway all over the place, up to the fell stitching. At that point, the garment is so tight that it fits snuggly to the body.

My set dancing kilts have the "hip stitching" go the the point where the lift won't reveal "your religion". The kilt pins are also quite heavy to keep the apron from saluting the Queen.

[Riverkilt]

Aye,

Or before you kilt up you could paint your bits with black body paint.

Then if they were exposed no one would notice in the shadows...

Ron

[philibeg]

thanks guys, for the info...body paint is an option , but I think I'll just wear undies till I decide whether or not I want a set-dancing kilt as Jimmy described (thanks for the posting, that makes perfect sense)...as to checking out of the undies are needed...I am assuming that my/the kilt does fly up in the "swings", as the ladies in my set are always asking me to wear my kilt to the next ceili with a strange glimmer in their eyes....

[zeytoun]

In that case, wear a french tickler...

[philibeg]

what in heaven's name?

[James]

For such events it is correct to wear underwear, in fact it would be rude not to.

Sir Ian Hamilton [General] who was I think a Gordon when serving in the 19thC-ce makes it clear that underwear was worn for regimental dancing.

Certainly better underwear than a modified kilt which would not swing correctly, and so impair the appearance of the dance.

James