What to wear to a Ceilidh?

[Highland Logan]

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

[BoldHighlander]

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.

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.

I have to admit that the only ceilidh's I've been to around here are very spontaneous affairs, and thus very informal in dress.

[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.

[davedove]

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.

I think this is more a problem of the people just wanting to get use out of their gear (and not knwing any better). The only time they wear a kilt is for special events, so when the kilt goes on, so do all the other things as well. Thus, you get Prince Charlie's at a ceilidh, Scottish festivals, etc. Remember, the average American is not as well informed about kilts and their wear as those on this forum.

[Jock Scot]

I think this is more a problem of the people just wanting to get use out of their gear (and not knwing any better). The only time they wear a kilt is for special events, so when the kilt goes on, so do all the other things as well. Thus, you get Prince Charlie's at a ceilidh, Scottish festivals, etc. Remember, the average American is not as well informed about kilts and their wear as those on this forum.

Yes ,I think you are right there. Also"Under dressing" and the understated look does not seem to be, in general, a natural American,Canadian thing to do, either.

[ziggy]

You say that, but I work for one of the larger banks in North America and we have this yearly rewards gala, and you have a hard time getting people to dress up for it! It's at a fairly posh hotel, and the list of VIP's is long....

Now personally i will wear my kilt, probably with a black argyll jacket and I will most likely be overdressed, that's fine though as i wish to make a point. Just saying.....sometimes.... like this thing should almost be black tie!

[KD Burke]

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.

Two countries separated by a common language? Another point to consider:
The Scots laguage, is much less familiar to Americans than to Scots. A ceilidh sounds to our ears very exotic and foreign. Which we Americans tend to equate to fancy and formal.

[JRB]

...A ceilidh sounds to our ears very exotic and foreign. Which we Americans tend to equate to fancy and formal.

A good point. I would say that the vast majority of attendees at American Scottish events, upon seeing the word ceilidh, immediately conjure up images of traditional highland etc., etc., etc. It's all in the language.

[Nighthawk]

Two countries separated by a common language? Another point to consider:
The Scots laguage, is much less familiar to Americans than to Scots. A ceilidh sounds to our ears very exotic and foreign. Which we Americans tend to equate to fancy and formal.

That makes a lot of sense. I never thought of it that way. Personally, I use the word to refer to any party that I'm attending- given the fact that the people I party with tend towards the New World Celt persuation. (With the exception of the Denver Vikings guys... ) My coworkers see a get together as an opportunity to get drunk and go to jail, so I avoid their parties. I usually party with my reenacment group, the Renaissance Scots, so our parties always have a Scottish flare to them. (Please note that I referred to them as having a scottish flare and not as actually being Scottish.) These parties are never formal, or even semiformal. There have been the occasions where clothing itself has become optional... Don't ask. Or... well... I guess you can. If you want to.

[Jock Scot]

I attended a ceilidh when I was in Scotland last month and saw considerable difference in what was worn.

Almost all the men wore kilts or tarten trews. The Americans and Canadians tended to dress rather casually - polo shirts or open-necked shirts without a tie. The Scots on the other hand, tended to wear jackets and ties, ranging from tweeds to Prince Charlies. There were a few exceptions of course.

The women tended to wear equivilent attire, from blue jeans to cocktail dresses. Some wore tartan skirts or a sash.

What say you regarding what is proper attire at a ceilidh, whether in Scotland, the US, Canada, or elsewhere.

I wonder? Was the actual event advertised as a ceilidh?Was it held in "the big house" or a marquee,or village hall? If it was at "the big house" then dress would be slightly more formal and tweed could be worn as a compliment to the host. It certainly sounds as though the natives "pushed the boat out". A compliment to their visitors perhaps? Nevertheless,going on the informal nature of a ceilidh, I don't suppose anyone lost any sleep over who wore what.

I think the Eliots are border people, so seeing trews at even slightly formal functions would be no surprise to me at all. In the highlands the general attire for a ceilidh would be jeans, shirt and pullover and a few kilts being worn and anyone who dressed any more formally would feel overdressed,but most would assume that the overdressed person would have "come on" from some function or other,and not worry about it.