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Highland Dress Information


The following information is from:
DRESS FOR HIGHLAND DANCERS
as published by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

New dress codes may come about from time to time by the SOBHD. Please check with your teacher.

Last updated 8/3/12
In all dances.. No Jewellery should be visible, while dancing or during awards

Highland Dress for Male Dancers

Highland Dress for Female Dancers

Dress for National Dances

Dress for the Irish Jig for Male Dancers

Dress for the Irish Jig for Female Dancers

Dress for the Sailor's Hornpipe

HIGHLAND DRESS FOR MALE DANCERS

TYPE 1

Jacket

May be of velvet or cloth in any color and any recognized style of doublet, e.g., Prince Charlie, Montrose, etc.

Waistcoat

May be worn with Prince Charlie jacket.

Cummerbund

Black or to match the kilt may be worn in place of a waistcoat.

Kilt

And Clan, Family, or District tartan is acceptable. The length of the kilt is to the top of the knee. A kilt pin may be worn.

Trews

May be worn for the Seann Triubhas and Nationals.

Hose

Full clan tartan hose or military diced hose to match the kilt, e.g., blue/white .
(NOTE: Until a competitor reaches the Premier section, it will be acceptable to wear white or plain colored knee socks to match the kilt. Hose can be full clan or diced red/white, blue/white or green/white.)

Garter Flashes

To tone with the kilt are optional.

Sporran

Evening pattern with plated metal top or leather to be worn.

Waistbelt

Leather with plated metal buckle may be worn, but not worn with a waistcoat.

Head Dress

Balmoral must be worn with appropriate crest and/or badge. Feathers should NOT be worn.
(NOTE: Points will be deducted for not wearing a hat starting in Inter)

Plaid

A belted plaid may be worn with the jacket.

Shirt

A white shirt and bow tie should be worn with the Prince Charlie Jacket.

Jabot

Should be white lace worn only with Montrose Jacket.

Sleeve Ruffles

May be worn in conjunction with a lace jabot, but must be attached to the sleeve of jacket.

Sgian Dubh

Should not be worn.

Underwear

Dark or toning with the kilt should be worn but not white

Footwear

Black Highland shoes must be worn for Highland and National competition.

TYPE 2

This style may be worn by Pre-Open dancers only.

This style may be worn without the jacket and waistcoat.

Jacket and Waistcoat

Daywear style, in lovat cloth or other types of tweed or same as type 1.

Kilt

As in Type 1.

Hose

Plain to tone with kilt or natural or same as type 1.

Sporran

Same as type 1.

Shirt and Tie

A white shirt tie may be worn without the jacket and/or waistcoat.

Head Dress

Optional or as type 1.

Underwear

Same as type 1.

Footwear

Black Highland shoes must be worn for Highland and National competition..

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HIGHLAND DRESS FOR FEMALE DANCERS

TYPE 1

The following SHOULD NOT BE WORN:
Underskirt, Sporran, Garter flashes, Plaid, Waistbelt, Sgian Dhub, Kilt Pin or other ornaments of any description

Jacket

Black or coloured velvet. Close fitting at the waist and hips, fastened down the front, with basque having two points in front and one at back, sides are more slightly curved. The jacket is trimmed around the edges with a single row of 1/2 inch silver or gold braid. The length depends on the physique of the dancer. The facings have a single row of not more than five ornamental Scottish embossed buttons on each side. A lace trim at back of neck is optional. The full length sleeves may have a single row of not more than five silver or gold buttons at the vent. If desired, ruffles (not more than 1 inch in depth) may be worn at the wrist, but they must be fastened to the sleeve. The front edges of the jacket are boned from the waist up, elastic loops are fitted inside to fasten the top of the kilt in order to prevent the jacket from rising when the arms are raised. A sleeveless blouse with lace front or a lace insert to be worn. The lace frills should be visible.

Waistcoat

Similar to the jacket as described above but without sleeves. There is no braid around the armholes.

White Blouse

Full sleeves to the elbow with a lace ornamented front. An upright stiff half inch lace trim may be attached to the back of the neck of the blouse.

Kilt

Any clan, family, or district tartan is acceptable. It should reach to the top of the knee.

Hose

Full clan tartan hose to match the kilt.
(NOTE: Until a competitor reaches the Premier section, it is acceptable to wear white or plain colored knee socks to match the kilt)

Underwear

Dark or toning with the kilt should be worn but not white.

Hair

No visible hair adornments.

Footwear

Black Highland shoes must be worn for Highland and National competition.

TYPE 2
May be worn by Pre-Premier dancers only.

Kilt

As described in Type 1.

White Blouse

As described in Type 1 or plain white shirt worn with or without a tie.

Hose

As described in type 1 or white knee high length.

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DRESS FOR THE NATIONAL DANCES

MALE

Male dancer may wear tartan trews instead of the kilt for National dances.

FEMALE

Type 2

Dress & Plaid

A white dress with a tartan plaid as in type 1. The skirt should be worn to the top of the knee and may be circular.

FEMALE

Type 1

Skirt

To be a tartan or similar design in cloth, not necessarily worsted and should be gathered not circular. Length should be to the knee. Taffeta, satin and lurex are not acceptable.
2010 addition: It should be noted the tartan national skirt should be Gathered or Folded to waistband (do not iron down). The tartan skirt is not a circular skirt.

White Blouse

Full sleeves to the elbow with no frills. No more than four very small tartan bows, on each sleeve, may be worn. The location of the bows are optional. Frills on front of blouse are not acceptable.

Underskirt

White cotton with no adornments. A lace edging is acceptable provided it is cotton.

Bodice

Velvet, waist length, laced up the front and scalloped or petal design all the way round. With or without ornamental buttons and narrow braid round the scallops.

Plaid

Square or rectangular pleated, fastened to the right shoulder with a Scottish brooch. The plaid should be attached to the waist at the back.

Socks

White without frills, ankle or knee high or natural tights may be worn.

Hair Style

Optional.

Underwear

White.

Footwear

Black Highland shoes must be worn for Highland and National competition.

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DRESS FOR THE IRISH JIG FOR MALE DANCERS

Tail Coat

In red or green.

Waistcoat

In red or green in opposite color to that of the coat.
(Note: Male jig costumes must contrast, female jig costumes do not)

Trousers

Knee breeches preferably in brown or khaki corduroy or whipcord, slack below knees as per description in the book

Socks

Long red or green.

Muffler

Red or green neckerchief.

Paddy Hat

A traditional country Irish hat.

Shillelagh

Weight 3-4 lbs.

Footwear

Black, red or green Irish Jig shoes.

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DRESS FOR THE IRISH JIG FOR FEMALE DANCERS

Dress

White, red or green. White dress has to be worn with waistcoat type bodice.
Note: The dress is usually made of cotton or similar material. Lurex fabrics should not be used nor should sequins or similar ornamentation are not acceptable.

Bodice

Same shape as for Nationals, either red or green.
(Note: May be with or without petals)

White Blouse

To be worn if dress is sleeveless.

Skirt

Red or green to be worn with white blouse and waistcoat type bodice also in red or green. The length same as for Nationals.

Cummerbund

Red or green, may be worn but not in conjunction with a waistcoat.

Length

One to two inches above the knee for juveniles. Adult dancers may prefer a longer skirt.

Apron

A small white apron is work with any of the options described above. A small shamrock will be permitted.

Underskirt

White only and preferably of cotton. These are not lifted during the dance and all 'flouncing' movements are done with the skirt of the dress.

Underwear

White.

Socks

Plain white or natural coloured tights may be worn.

Hair

A plain ribbon may be worn.

Footwear

Black, red or green Irish Jig shoes.

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DRESS FOR THE SAILOR'S HORNPIPE

Jumper

To be made of navy blue material (serge or twill) or white drill, shaped to the body and with set in sleeves. V neck front opening with double thickness collar attached. The bottom of the jumper should be in line with the fork and the sleeves to extend to the wrist bone. The sleeves may be buttoned but stripes are not acceptable.

Trousers

To be made of the same material and to be the same colour as the jumper. Bell-bottomed style, the circumference of the trouser bottoms to be two or three inches wider than the circumference of the knee. Trouser bottoms to be plain.

Collar

Navy or denim with white stripes, whether with a Navy or White suit. Black ribbon, tied in a Bow, may be worn

Vest

To be white drill with square neck and bound with navy binding.

Cap

Regulation white or navy blue with circular crown. The cap should not have name bands.

Socks

Plain white or navy.
(Note: Can be either color. Does not need to match color of uniform)

Footwear

Black Highland shoes must be worn for Highland and National competition.