What to wear to a ceilidh?

[TreeTrunkThighs]

We are going to a ceilidh next weekend for my cousins' 18th and 21st birthdays.

I am drawing an absolute blank on what to wear.

Was all set to wear the lovely monsoon dress I wore to a wedding recently but have been told that the dress code is smart/casual and therefore not as formal as wedding guest...I think it would be too dressy.

Smart/casual is my nightmare. Can do either or but not in the middle. I am also a bit conscious that we are closer in age to my cousins' parents than to them but don't want the generation gap to be obvious.

Any ideas anyone?

comfortable shoes

skirt & ballet pumps?

I'd go for dark jeans and a sparkly top. Ceilidhs are fun, energetic and you will get hot and sweaty if you join in with the dancing.
In my experience the dancing and birling get faster as the night goes on so dresses and heels are a bad idea

Have fun.

Long sleeves, lass, long sleeves.

Nothing smarts like an unclad inner elbow subjected to a high speed Strip the Willow - you can always guarantee you'll be arm-to-arm with someone wearing scratchy tweed.

Don't wear anything that shows sweaty armpit circles.

Flat shoes, as per Lady of Waffle

Don't expect your hair to hold up to the occasion - it will be plastered across your mulberry-hued face.

Mind you, all that only applies if it's a proper ceilidh

If it's a traditional ceilidh, you'll be playing pipes and talking

Comfortable shoes!! I love wearing a skirt just to be girly, but be prepared to be hurled around the room by the over enthusiatic men, keeping your balance can be hard with a couple of drinks inside you!

Scottish. Definitely planning on dancing so will think seriously about the shoes.

Dark jeans eh? I can manage that. Just need to buy a sparkly top. And maybe some new jeans seeing as it's a special occasion!

Thanks

Mind you, a 'birly' big skirt can be fun when you're being wheeked about at high speed.

Don't wear a long necklace, either, you'll get a black eye.

Snigger, know that one too....and the bruises the next day, ouch!

Yes, jeans and sensible shoes! IME long sleeves won't save you from inner-arm bruising - not if it's a good ceilidh anyway - and you will get really hot so maybe a vest or sleeveless top would be better. And I've lost count of the number of good earrings I have lost while dancing - so studs only!

Ceilidhs are brilliant, especially if the band are good and you are suitably lubricated

You're right FairMidden, nothing will help with the bruising - but the blood blisters are avoidable

I've obviously been to the wrong sort of ceilidh! I was going to suggest polyester, floral, perma-pleated, elastic waisted skirt. Short sleeved t-shirt in a shade which fails to co-ordinate with any colour in the skirt (with embroidered motifs or even better sparkly beads at the neckline). Hotter or Van-Dal sandals with 30 denier american tan tights. 'Gold' or 'bronze coloured plastic shoulder bag. Anorak to put on when leaving.

Blimey, I yearn to be back in Scotland where people ceilidh dance for fun and dress up to be stylish. Here in England (I am English too) the hideous get-up that Really Keen Ceilidh Dancers wear is satiny shorts, plimsoles, lots of obligatory sweaty marks and dishevelled hair, and they also seem to have a genetic predisposition to have sweaty hands. Hence I have migrated to the band-side of the ceilidh, haven't danced for ages.....

I've met you, Dorothy.

You were the one singing Auld Lang Syne in the corner, who demonstrated the Sword Dance during the tea break, weren't you?

My cousin Campbell is still, 18 years later, terrified of you.

Snigger
I have been known to shown my (english) kids how to sword dance too - doesn't everybody?

Wear comfortable and cool (temperature not style) everyting but sleeves down to your elbow at least, to protect your skin from the birling. And not new shoes!

marsbars - were you at the Loch Lomond ceilidh in early 1991 where a girl in a red dress was violently sick after completing a full set of Strip the Willow in 3 minutes?

If so, your sword dance demonstration worried us

Ha ha, sorry, no not me - but sounds like it was fun.

Maybe take crutches? My dad ended up pulling a hamstring after one wild "dyers and chemists" ceilidh!

sorry to disagree with all teh other posters but.....

i think that all the 18 and 21 years old guests will dress up

so i woudlnt wear jeans at all.if you are 18 you can get away with jeans and a tarty top and heels

if you are 40 it will look like you thought you were going out for a drink

is the monsoon dress REALLY dressy? do you have suitable comfortbale shoes?

LOL at dorothy

flat shoes, a swirly skirt and a light, light top. you will be hotter than hades.

Not tights. You will have the world's sweatiest foof if you do.

same applies to no jeans, imo. and consider a fairy hammock in the pants.

same applies to no jeans, imo. and consider a fairy hammock in the pants.

i'd add - make sure your outfit holds up when you are flying across the floor on your arse. Last ceilidh i was at (ex-pat scots in england, lots of lots of booze) i wore a baggy-ish knee length frock with wide straps (hefty bra covered) but sleeveless (for ventiliation) and a technically unneccessary pair of knickers OVER my tights so I didn't look like I was going commando when I inevitably ended up on the floor. And flat comfy shoes an absolute - I usually cheat and take flats with me - looks v impressive rocking up in heels even if not intention of dancing in them

you could have some arnica for the post ceilidh bruising!

no advice on clothes, though I do think a swishy skirt, maybe just to the knee would be more fun and slightly airier than jeans... I would wear heels too and have flats for the dancing.

Agree with Aitch. Dresses are ok if floaty enough - welcome breeze sometimes. Bare legs - you will be hot and sweaty! Flat shoes - though I always end up in bare feet, risking life and toes. And be prepared for bruised arms...

is the monsoon dress or similar online?