Have you ever wondered about the different outfits you see Highland Dancers wearing? Each costume represents the history, character, and style of the dance it represents. If you’re new to Highland dance, here’s a guide to the five main types of outfits you’ll see on stage. For official guidance, make sure to refer to the dress code published by the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Highland Outfits
The Highland outfit is the most iconic and traditional look in Highland dancing, and is worn for dances like the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, and Reels. Dancers wear a kilt paired with matching knee-high hose, or plain white hose in lower competitive levels. Female dancers wear a fitted velvet jacket or vest, and male dancers sport the traditional Prince Charlie or Montrose jackets. Male dancers complete their look with a balmoral hat, sporran (pouch), bow tie, and optional flashes. This is the outfit dancers wear when they first start performing and competing, until they learn the additional dances that require separate outfits.
National Outfits
The National outfit is a female version of the Highland outfit, and is worn by female dancers for dances such as the Scottish Lilt and Flora MacDonald’s Fancy. It consists of a tartan skirt and plaid, with a velvet vest featuring a lace-up front and petals at the bottom. Underneath this, dancers wear a white blouse and petticoat. Alternatively, they can wear a white dress and plaid. This is the second outfit most dancers need.
Sailor’s Hornpipe Outfits
The Hornpipe outfit is worn only for the Sailors Hornpipe, a character dance that mimics the movements of sailors at sea, such as pulling in ropes or scanning the horizon for ships. Dancers wear a navy or white costume based on the traditional dress of the British Navy, featuring bell-bottomed pants and a tunic with a square collar. A white sailors hat finishes off the outfit. Dancers begin competing the Sailors Hornpipe in the Intermediate category.
Irish Jig Outfits
The Jig outfit is worn for another character dance, the Scottish version of the Irish Jig. This dance is the only hard shoe dance in Highland Dancing, and portrays an angry Irish washerwoman (female dancers) or a happy go lucky Irishman (male dancers). Both male and female dancers dress in red and green, with female dancers wearing a dress or skirt with a white apron, and male dancers wearing a vest, tailcoat, and knee-length pants. Male dancers also sport a shilleleigh that they can twirl during the dance. Dancers also begin competing this dance in the Intermediate category.
Choreography Outfits
Choreography is where dancers use Highland movements to create their own dance, either in a solo, duet, or group. These dances may tell a story, or simply express a piece of music through dance. Outfits reflect the nature of the dance, and as such there is a wide variety, though they typically incorporate tartan in some way.
Experience Highland Dance for Yourself
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