What to wear to a Ceilidh?

[Nighthawk]

I note what Sir William said in his original post,but I wonder if there is some minor trans-Atlantic confusion? Three,perhaps it is four, of the UK members that have posted on this thread, regard a ceilidh as a rather informal bash/dance and are all pretty much agreed(amazingly!) that the dress is pretty informal. On the other hand you chaps across the pond seem to have a different definition of what a ceilidh is. Am I wrong? Also it seems to me, that you chaps over there want to be more formally attired as well? Nothing wrong with that! Just an observation.

As a matter of fact, yes. I see an overwhelming and disturbing trend towards casual that is bordering on disrespectful in American society. I go to church on Sundays and see people wearing tank tops and jogging shorts! For me, it's a matter of dignity. A sense of decorum and propriety is sorely lacking in our society, and I do like to dress up a bit as a result. That's one of the reasons that my employers are fine with me being kilted- with the exception of our company owners, I'm the best dressed person there! And the most I wear on a day to day basis is kilt, collared shirt, proper hose, and my shoes. It bothers me that people either don't know or care when to shine themselves up a little. So I may tend towards overkilt (pun intended) from time to time, but I prefer to lead by example.

I have to agree to disagree with everyone. At least here in Nova Scotia they are very informal, and what Jock suggests as wear would be correct. However what those folks south of me suggest would also have a place for a more semi-formal affair, which sould about the same here for a dinner dance, but what we call a ceilidh is always a casual event.

Frank

I see that totally. That was what I tried to point out in my original post. Over here, it seems to depend on the event. I suspect that the one my wife and I will be attending is billed as black tie because that's the way all the Burns suppers I have attended are, and this is something of an after-party for the supper, and as all the attendees will already be dressed up... why not keep things that way? However, when I throw one at my home in my back yard, it's a come as you are kind of event.