What to wear to a Ceilidh?

[Nighthawk]

I would probably lean toward the semi-formal, regardless, but that's me. If you find you're over-dressed, it's easy to take off the coat &/or tie and remain in shirtsleeves. It's very difficult to dress "up" when you arrive under-dressed.

Good point!!

[Jock Scot]

An invitation to a ceilidh implies a certain amount of informality. Depending on the climate, for me, from the waist up, I would start with shirt and tie with a pullover, of various thickness, on top. The tie and the pullover may be discarded as things warm up!

[Stratherrick]

The tie and the pullover may be discarded as things warm up!

Which reminds me, it also depends on the setting!

Midsummer in Texas is one thing, no doubt. Midwinter in the Cairngorms is quite another, for sure!

Slainte

Bruce

[caig]

I agree with JockScot. A ceilidh by definition is an informal affair and one would dress (down) accordingly. Any other event would be a dance, which again by definition would be slightly more formal. If there was a meeting or dinner followed by dancing, this would be usually be advertised as a dance, rather than a ceilidh.

But as in all things on Scottish dress, you wear what you wish whilst observing some of the basic protocols.

[Jaggy thistle]

Kilt ,hose , shoes ,shirt and tie ,jacket for getting to and from the venue and that is it !!

[Jock Scot]

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.

[The Thing]

It also depends if you are single or not as well.
In Ireland if you are a young single man you dress to impress the girls, I guess older people wear whatever they want in a smart casual way.
Celidh can also imply an informal gathering at a house as well where neighbours will get together for a drink, a song, a story and a dance, in this setting things are very informal.

[macwilkin]

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.

Jock,

You are 100% spot on in your observations. Many "ceilidhs" over here are that in name-only, as compared to the ones in Scotland. More of a formal music concert than everyone come and perform your party piece!

T.

[Farlander]

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.

Jock, I think that you are quite right. Moreover, the confusion may be even more complex than you just pointed out. Many of the folks on this side of the pond that have thus far responded may be a bit more formal in their attire than many of us. I expect that normally, the formal/casual scale would typically tip formal towards the UK side. Perhaps that is just my impression though?

I have for some time expected that the definition of 'casual' is not the same in everyone's mind. For example, I recall a post some time ago asking for advice on where to find a 'casual' jacket. I believe that the fellow had in mind something like a denim or leather jacket that would go well with a kilt. Instead, he got advice on a tweed day wear Crail. Is a Crail casual? I guess it is in the same way that a sports coat is casual, but not in the same way that jeans and a tee shirt are casual.

[Sir William]

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.

Jock,

You're spot on based on my experiences in the States. I've noted that at an American ceilidh you see a lot of kilt jackets and ties, if not a Prince Charlie, or even more formal wear (and equivilent for the ladies). I found this a bit ironic considering our tendency to dress more casually than the British for almost all occasions.

Therefore, I was rather surprised at the Scottish ceilidh I attended as it was the Scots who were more smartly dressed than the Americans and Canadians. Perhaps the Scots did so thinking the North Americans would be following their usual custom, and the North Americans dressed more casually thinking they were observing the Scottish custom.

All of which is has led me to my question. I'm just trying to get a sense of what is assumed to be proper attire on both sides of the Atlantic.

From the answers posted so far, it would appear my assessments above are more or less correct and what I saw at the ceilidh in Scotland was a slight abberation.