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Original poster

Burns supper outfit

27 replies

Dasher789 · 07/01/2022 00:45

Dh and I have been invited to a burns supper at the end of the month. Neither of us have been to one before. We have been invited by the host who is quite traditional and well to do. He hasn't given details of a dress code and didn't make any suggestion of a Ceilidh so we think its just a meal. Dh outfit requirement is self explanatory and he will hire a kilt, but what do I wear?

I have found this tartan dress. Its a bit meh but I could maybe wear it to work post covid wfh to get my monies worth:
www.houseofbruar.com/l-plaid-swing-dress-black-tq00260blackwatch/

I cant really find any other tartan dresses that don't look like pin up doll type dresses!!! Alternatively, i have seen on google that i could wear any dress aka one i already own and buy a pin and sash. From what iv seen though, I'd be looking at around £50 with little prospect of ever using the items again.

Any other suggestions? Im early 30's and not 100% on the age range of those going but I'd imagine most will be 50+ if that makes any difference?

Thank you!!

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KirstenBlest · 07/01/2022 08:02

That dress gets a No from me.. It doesn't look nice or flattering.
I'd google 'burns night outfit' and see what comes up.

I'd probably wear a midi black dress and use a long scarf in a colour to match your DH's kilt or a colour from it.

I'm not scottish and I love tartan

MagnoliatheMagnificent · 07/01/2022 08:15

We go to a Burns night meal every year at a friends house. No dress code but the host usually suggests we wear something tartan. Find a scarf and use it as a sash maybe? Tbh we don't do much dressing up. A token bit of tartan should do the job!

Original poster
Dasher789 · 07/01/2022 10:03

Thanks, il take a look at scarves and see if they come in cheaper than a sash. I’m vexed to spend £50 on something I won’t use again. I don’t mind spending more if I could see it being reused. I’m not really a tartan person!

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Positiveyearaheadplease · 07/01/2022 10:11

Been to both informal and formal Burns Suppers (in Scotland) and can not recall ever seeing women in a full tartan dress, did once see a fabulous full length silk skirt in a dark tartan but a few had a discreet sash over say a black dress or a touch of tartan with a scarf. Right shoulder though for the sash if I remember rightly for protocol reasons.

Some men wore full highland dress with or without kilts in the clan tartan, some wore suits with a very subtle tartan tie or bow tie or pocket square.

Depends on how formal it is, as you have not been given a dress code I would not be buying a tartan dress (sorry its not a nice dress). I wore a black trouser suit with a thistle broach for one sit down meal.

Would of been easier if there was a dress code!

Enjoy your evening, I too will be celebrating as we do every year.

snottygrot · 07/01/2022 10:12

I'm Scottish - not worth spending a fortune on an outfit you won't get much use of
I'd go with a plain black outfit ( red if you are brave ) and then find a tartan accessory
Sash/ scarf/ wrap/ bag/ jacket/

Enjoy ! Have a great night

ShesComeUndone · 07/01/2022 10:12

What about a thistle brooch on a smart dress? You can get them from about £10+

perfectscottishgifts.co.uk/product/scottish-thistle-amethyst-brooch-4/?gclid=CjwKCAiA5t-OBhByEiwAhR-hm9FB0CV6zQJExdIcy3XHG3jKQM7lwZ7782oNMxDMLT-CW6G11Ps5LhoCrFMQAvD_BwE

Positiveyearaheadplease · 07/01/2022 10:14

..Brooch!

You can also get some nice tartan brooches as well just a touch of tartan to a plain outfit, have a look at Etsy

Chemenger · 07/01/2022 10:15

I usually just fashion some sort of tartan rosette/bow and wear something dark I have a tartan bag as well. Tartan trews seem more in vogue for men than kilts round here (the Edinburgh lawyer look).

IamGusFring · 07/01/2022 10:17

Is your H Scottish ? If not then why is he wearing a kilt ?

IamGusFring · 07/01/2022 10:22

@Positiveyearaheadplease

..Brooch!

You can also get some nice tartan brooches as well just a touch of tartan to a plain outfit, have a look at Etsy

Second this . They're on Amazon too .
LumosSolem · 07/01/2022 10:24

See I quite liked this as a look when Kate wore it a couple of years ago but maybe not in red... but again only if you like tartan.

I do think that outfit looked nice so I'd wear something like that if it was me.

Burns supper outfit
ChristmasWithBellsOn · 07/01/2022 10:30

Unless you have a family/clan tartan then I'd avoid wearing it at all.

Most/many tartans are aligned to a specific family, or even family in a specific area (eg MacLeod in Harris vs. McLeod elsewhere).

If it's a formal sort of gathering people will be wearing their own tartan.

Instead I'd opt for a black dress, and a keltic style broach.

I'm sad because our family tartan is pretty ugly. I should have married 'better' 😀😀

ChristmasWithBellsOn · 07/01/2022 10:33

*brooch

lovetowearabargain · 07/01/2022 10:34

I wore a black dress with a sash over it. I just made a trip to Hobbycraft and bought 3m or so of Royal Stewart wide ribbon. I quickly hand sewed the simple sash and cobbled together a rosette type circle and put a green button in the centre to cover the stitching, and placed it on the crossover of the sash. Cheap as chips and totally appropriate and wearable in the future.

In my experience if you are going to be with Scots then please be careful with the tartan you wear, only wear one you are 'entitled' to wear. I think anyone can wear Black Watch as well as Royal Stewart but a quick google should guide you.

Its should be a fun night but beware the whisky!!

AbandonedCharacter · 07/01/2022 10:35

Absolutely no need to wear a tartan dress for a Burns supper! As others have said, you can add a scarf, wrap, brooch etc if you feel like it.

ApolloandDaphne · 07/01/2022 10:38

I am Scottish and I would not wear a tartan dress to a Burns supper! A Heather brooch or a scarf would suffice. Your DH doesn't not need to wear a kilt either.

Purplecatshopaholic · 07/01/2022 10:50

@ApolloandDaphne

I am Scottish and I would not wear a tartan dress to a Burns supper! A Heather brooch or a scarf would suffice. Your DH doesn't not need to wear a kilt either.
Absolutely this. I am Scottish, live here and go to these things every year! Never worn a tartan dress in my life, lol. Your DH defo doesn’t need a kilt if he’s not Scottish either - but if he wants to, that’s obvs fine - tartan trews (trousers) look great too. Mind you, I defo think it’s worth checking what others are going to wear. If your host is Scottish but not actually in Scotland, he may be more into Traditional Scottish dress than you tend to be if you live here if you see what I mean.
Chemenger · 07/01/2022 10:59

The men wearing kilts (if any) will be the men that own kilts, there would be no expectation of hiring a kilt for a Burns supper.

Original poster
Dasher789 · 07/01/2022 11:02

Thanks everyone.

Definately not getting the tartan dress Grin

How about this
www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/ZADI-Knitted-Frill-Full-Skirt-Dress-Deep-Purple/p/258627-DP-PURPLE

With a tartan brooch?

I am certain that is not black tie or I would have been told but I am guessing it will be relatively formal as it is being held in a posh hotel.

Dh and I both grew up mostly in Scotland and are from part Scottish families although we have only moved back to Scotland ourselves fairly recently. Dh does have his own kilt but we haven't had all of our stuff delivered from storage as we are doing work on our new house while living in it and its not something he wears often (it is not feasible to find it in the storage container). He really only wears it at family weddings. Weddings of friends he just wears a suit. Although we are from scotish families, neither side of the family particularly took part in burns suppers or any other Scottish traditions whilst growing up.

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Original poster
Dasher789 · 07/01/2022 11:04

The host is definately Scottish and his family have a Scottish title.

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AdaColeman · 07/01/2022 11:12

I agree that you wouldn’t wear a tartan dress to Burns supper.
A simple answer for you would be a scarf worn as a shawl at the start of the evening.

Have a look at Purple Possum scarves on Amazon, they’ve a large Royal Stewart scarf for about £15 that would work with any dark coloured dress.
For your husband, unless he’s already got a kilt, I’d suggest something like a tartan bow tie. Amazon are sure to have some.

jonjoy · 07/01/2022 11:17

We host a Burns night every year, pre pandemic. DH Scottish, me not. Men all tend to wear kilts and women, incl me, generally a (black but doesn't have to be) dress and a tartan scarf worn as a sash, diagonally across the body. Or a tartan scarf round the neck. I pin mine with a safety pin but you could pin with a broach. A Tam O Shanter may get a laugh for the men!

AcatcalledCat · 07/01/2022 11:21

I love the Ted Baker dress. I have this one and think it could work too. You can really dress it up and it’s got a slight houndstooth check which will give it a more traditional feel. I’m Scottish and wouldn’t recommend buying a full tartan dress…

www.tedbaker.com/row/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/WILMER-Pleated-chiffon-houndstooth-dress-Dark-Green/p/246155-DK-GREEN

LumosSolem · 07/01/2022 11:24

I love both of those Ted Baker dresses 😍

Original poster
Dasher789 · 07/01/2022 11:33

@acatcalledcat thank you, ooh love your one too. I might order both and then decide which I prefer

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