What to Wear to a Ceilidh: An Expert Guide for Men, Women, Weddings & More

At Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, we’ve spent decades helping people feel confident and comfortable in highlandwear, whether they’re attending their first ever ceilidh or preparing for a wedding steeped in Scottish tradition. 

During that time, one thing has become clear: your outfit needs to be both authentic and practical to keep up with the energetic pace of a proper Scottish ceilidh.

To help you decide, we’ve put together a practical guide on what to wear to a ceilidh. It covers recommendations for men, women, informal events, weddings, and winter celebrations, with advice on shoes, styling and staying comfortable while dancing! 

Our Creative Director, and Scottish Highlandwear expert, Louise Nicolson, also gives her top tips on the best things to wear for a ceilidh dance.

Choosing the right combination of kilt, jacket, and accessories is about more than just appearance. For men, pairing a kilt in your family or chosen tartan with a suitable jacket - such as an Argyll or Prince Charlie - strikes the perfect balance between tradition and style. Accessories like a sporran, kilt hose, and appropriate footwear complete the outfit, adding both charm and practicality.

A traditional kilt outfit for a ceilidh includes:

• A kilt in your chosen tartan or a pair of trews
• A ghillie (jacobite) shirt or other classic white dress shirt
• An Argyll or tweed jacket depending on the formality of the event
• A day or semi-dress sporran
• Kilt hose and ghillie brogues

If you don’t own a kilt or are attending a ceilidh as a one-off event, kilt hire options can be an ideal solution, allowing you to wear a complete traditional outfit without needing to purchase one.

Louise says “The combination of a traditional kilt outfit is perfect for anyone going to a ceilidh who wants to maintain a smart, traditional appearance. The kilt itself allows for plenty of movement during high energy dances like The Dashing White Sergeant, while ghillie shirts are nice and lightweight, preventing you from getting too hot on the dancefloor.” 

If you’re heading to a less formal dance, such as a ceilidh at a community gathering, the following options may be a better fit:

• Chinos or dark coloured trousers
• Tweed jacket or smart shirt
• Leather brogues or comfortable smart shoes
• A tartan tie or waistcoat

“If you’re not a fan of the full traditional style, a small accessory such as a tartan tie can be a brilliant way to incorporate Scottish tradition into a more modern look” says Louise.

Given Ceilidhs are all about dancing, it’s so important to find a pair of shoes that provide grip and stability, while also ensuring you look the part. Some great options include ghillie brogues, leather brogues with rubber soles, or dress shoes with secure laces.

Louise's most important tip for men is this: "When ceilidh-ing in a kilt, please don't forget to shimmy your sporran around to the side - left or right, wherever it's comfy. Otherwise you might remember your night of Stripping the Willow for all the wrong (painful) reasons...oh, and you will probably be safer to stash your sgian dubh in your sporran while you're dancing too!"

Louise says “Mid-length, A-line and skater style dresses work beautifully as ceilidh outfits for women. I’d always suggest opting for a dress that is at least knee length, and is nice and flowy. Styles like bodycons can be really restrictive when you’re dancing, distracting you from what’s most important - having fun!”

Some great options for women include:

• Mid-length, A-line or skater style dresses
• Wrap dresses
• Tartan skirts
• Kilts for women

“I absolutely love seeing women wearing kilts at ceilidhs,” says Louise. “They capture the spirit of the event perfectly - stylish, comfortable, yet deeply connected to Scottish tradition”.

If you’re going to a more casual ceilidh, a winter event or you’re simply not a fan of dresses, skirts and kilts - there are plenty of trouser-based options that work just as well:

• A traditional pair of tartan trews
• Wide-leg trousers
• Tailored suit trousers
• Jumpsuits or playsuits
• A tartan wrap, sash, or accessory

 Comfort and stability are key when it comes to footwear, so sensible options such as ballet flats, soft-soled dance shoes and low heeled boots are often your best bet. Ghillie brogues can also be a great option, making it easier to spin around during dances such as Strip the Willow.

Wedding ceilidhs are typically more formal than your average ceilidh dance. Louise says, “For men, I’d recommend formal highlandwear such as a full kilt outfit with an Argyll or Prince Charlie jacket. For women, a smart navy, dark green or burgundy dress or jumpsuit can be a really elegant choice”.

For informal ceilidhs, men can wear a comfortable pair of jeans, chinos, or lightweight trousers, paired with a T-shirt or loose fitting shirt and trainers or comfortable shoes with rubber soles for good grip.

When it comes to women, casual dresses work well for ceilidhs, as do skirts and lightweight tops. Flowy, wide leg trousers can also be a practical option for casual ceilidhs, paired with flat shoes, such as ballet pumps. 

Tweed suits for men and wool shawls  and tights for women are all brilliant options for winter ceilidhs. But remember - although it may be cold outside, if there’s one thing guaranteed at a ceilidh - it’s that you warm up fast! Be sure to wear multiple layers so you can remove some if you get too warm. 

Yes, hiring can be a great solution for one-off events or weddings. We have a stunning selection of kilts, jackets, trews and full kilt outfits for hire, so you can look the part without needing to buy a full outfit. Get in touch today or book an appointment at our hire shop on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and one of our hirewear specialists will be more than happy to help.

And that’s a wrap! For advice on choosing the perfect outfit for a ceilidh, get in touch with a member of our team at Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, who are always happy to share guidance based on decades of experience fitting outfits for weddings, celebrations, and ceilidhs across Scotland and beyond.