Difference between a "dancing" kilt and any other, and liners?

[Heming]

The lining of a kilt extends down to the bottom of the fell, to cover up and protect the tailoring on the inside (canvas and suchlike). It's usually a light cotton broadcloth or similar.

Someone else will have to tell us about dancing kilts!

[JolyStNicholas]

Dancing Kilts! hehehehehehe!

[Panache]

The one and only Barb T would really be the one to comment on this, I'll send her a PM and will have to see if she weighs in.

As I recall Barb noted that the third strap on a kilt is not needed save for highland dancers who can use the additional help in keeping the kilt from flaring up.

Also dance kilts tend to use the dress tartans that show up better to a judge sitting some 30-40 feet away. From that distance a tartan with more subtle colors variations (i.e. Black Watch) are just going to look dark.

I have never heard of a longer liner for "dance kilts". Would this be for modesty? Because Highland dancers and Scottish Country Dancers, like Highland Athletes in general always wear some sort of dark colored underwear for modesty' sake.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[hospitaller]

I have never heard of a longer liner for "dance kilts". Would this be for modesty? Because Highland dancers and Scottish Country Dancers, like Highland Athletes in general always wear some sort of dark colored underwear for modesty' sake.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

from pictures I've seen of Scottish Highland Games, underwear or athletic shorts only happen in the US, most if not all male dancers and highland athletes in scotland participate au natural, as a kilt should be worn.

[MartinGrenoble]

Two points caught my attention :

Barb said dancers did not wear kilt pins. Oh?
I've rarely seen a klit without one, personally.

Friday advised "check to see if they accept men".
I've never come across a dance group that did not welcome new men (provided of course that they know their left foot from their right), since the male/female ratio is usually quite unbalanced.

I don't wish to dwell on delicate matters, but it has always been a tradition, even within the military, to be correctly "dressed" when dancing.

Martin

[Barb T]

Barb said dancers did not wear kilt pins. Oh?
I've rarely seen a kilit without one, personally.

Actually, dancers who compete in Scottish Highland dancing _don't_ wear kilt pins. I'm not talking about Scottish _country_ dancing. Do a Google image search for Scottish Highland dancing, and you won't see a kilt pin. Here's an example:

from pictures I've seen of Scottish Highland Games, underwear or athletic shorts only happen in the US, most if not all male dancers and highland athletes in scotland participate au natural, as a kilt should be worn.

As Panache says, the Scottish Board of Highland Dance rules require underwear. White underwear is OK for the jig but not with a kilt. And I agree with Panache. Even if the rules didn't require it, it would hardly be appropriate for someone to go regimental at a Highland dance competition. It's like the difference between not wearing underwear under your trousers (which only you know about) and not wearing underwear underneath trousers that are a little too transparent (which everyone then knows about). If you're going to be doing something where it's likely that someone (particularly a child) will be able to see that you're not wearing anything under your kilt, then you ought to wear something under your kilt.

What does a dancer's kilt cost to make? My fiance has an aversion to "billie" kilts because of the length, and has been snooping around the dancer's area at Games to see if she can find one her size in a tartan that she will wear. Now I'm wondering if I can afford to have one made for her.

As far as the cost of a kilt for a dancer goes, the amount of work is essential the same as the work that goes into a kilt for anyone else. Maybe even a little more, given that the kilt will almost invariably have a hem. When I charge for any kilt, I charge a flat rate for labor and other materials (buckles, straps, lining, and canvas), plus the cost of the tartan. Tartan cost varies greatly from mill to mill, but generally 11 oz tartan is cheaper than 16 oz tartan.

And a kilt for a dancer is made with a 2" rise, just like any other kilt. Maybe your fiancee would prefer a kilt skirt? They are very nice, can be made in any tartan and any length, and are much cheaper to have made.

[Dixiecat]

As a competing highland dancer who wears a kilt I can verify a few things.

A male dancer MUST and ALWAYS will wear black or kilt-toned underwear under their kilt as long as they are competing under SOBHD or SOHDA rules. A female dancer MUST and ALWAYS will wear black or kilt-toned underwear under their kilt as long as they are competing under SOBHD or SOHDA rules. This also is the case for dancers registered with the Academy in NZ and the VSU in Australia.

Nary a kilt pin will be seen on an SOBHD dancer of either sex.

A 'dancer's' kilt is a KILT! The only concession for dancing is a generally lighter weight and the predominance of 'dress' tartans. I don't count the extra buckle as many kilts are made that way.

You see a lot of 4yd, or 6yd 'dancing' kilts being offered at some online kilt shops. This is only because dancers tend to be young and can't use the same amount of fabric. As Barb has mentioned, the amount of fabric in the kilt is directly dependent on the person's width and the sett. A dancer with hips of 28" will not be using the same amount of fabric as a person with hips of 40".

You do see however, the kiltie. A lot of kilt supply business will offer this less expensive option for the young and fast growing dancer. They generally have shallower pleats and less fabric. However, you can never confuse a kiltie with a real kilt.

Our hose must be tartan to match the kilt.

Highland dancers never 'spin'. We turn. However, this year's Seann Truibhas has so many pivot turns we might as well be spinning tops.

BTW, if you're male and want to highland dance, please, please try it out. It's not ballet, it's not jazz. You don't need a partner and it's an awesome workout. It's easy to learn! You don't have to compete to be fulfilled as we have level testing according the the school method used at the studio you learn at.

[MartinGrenoble]

Actually, dancers who compete in Scottish Highland dancing _don't_ wear kilt pins.
.

Quite right, Barb, as the photo shows.
I have not taken part in highland competitions and had never really paid attention to the details of the dancers' clothes -- I watch their feet -- and I imagined they would have pins like most other kilt-wearers. Probably a safety factor -- it would be most awkward if two flying kilts got their pins entangled when on display.

Actually this happened to me once in country dancing, and as my kilt was held together by a belt and had not buckles at the side, it was slightly embarassing !

Martin

[Panache]

from pictures I've seen of Scottish Highland Games, underwear or athletic shorts only happen in the US, most if not all male dancers and highland athletes in scotland participate au natural, as a kilt should be worn.

Hector,

I disagree with you

Having had a bit of chat with someone on the other side of the pond and offered a bit of evidence to share, let me try to convince you that there are some situations where it is best and /or required to wear undergarments with a kilt.

Highland dancing at these events are done in accordance with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) rules. The dress code can be found at http://www.sobhd.net/downloads/pdfs/...0code%20v2.pdf

You will note that the wearing of dark or toning with the kilt coloured underwear is required for Gentlemen. Lady dancers are also required to wear undergarments but are also allowed white underwear for certain classes of dance.

Here is a picture from McClef showing a correctly attired highland dancer from the Harpenden gathering:




Now the kilt is mainly worn only in the heavy athletic events. It would seem that the wearing of undershorts ('bicycle short' style black Lycra) under the kilt seems quite common.

Here's a heavy competitor from the Braemar games this year




When one is going engaged in public performing activities one knows have a probability of exposing oneself, it behooves a gentleman or lady to take appropriate precautions.

My thanks to my friend over the pond for their insight and assistance.

Cheers


Jamie :ootd:

[The Wizard of BC]

To expand the explanation of the liner of a Kilt a little further.

Inside a Traditional Style Kilt in the area of the Fell which is where the pleats are sewn down and tapered, there are added internal constructions. Most noteabley are the Stabilizer which spans across the back from one buckle to the other to take the stresses of wearing the Kilt and keep them off the stitching. And the interfacing which is a piece of "Hair Canvas". This is not normal canvas but a product with is very loosly woven and stiffer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal. This interfacing reaches the entire length of the Kilt from one apron edge strap all the way across to the other apron strap.
The purpose of the Stabilizer and Interfacing is to take the stresses of wearing and moving in the Kilt and to help the Kilt keep its shape without puckers and popped stitches.
The excess fabric inside the pleats are also cut-away to thin the back of the Kilt preventing "Pillow butt"

The Liner is then sewn in to cover all the internal construction details.

Some think that the liner is there to keep the Kilt clean. Well, if that were the case then it would be removable and washable.

No, it's there simply to cover up all the unseen stuff built into the Kilt.