Black Tie Event - Shoe Advice Needed

[MacLowlife]

Thanks all and sundry for your insights and opinions- and more than I expected to learn about dance. I do love it when the Traditional Folk turn out to discuss things. I always learn something. There may be more to this thread yet, but I look forward to another informative topic. Anybody care to introduce a new thread? I can't wait.

But, since we are still on this one, I'm curious as to what dances we do in our kilts. Reels? Waltzes? I gather some may do more modern dancing. Me, I end up doing a lowlife version of swing dancing.



And the Whisky Tango Foxtrot

[Cygnus]

I think the fact that formal shoes are light and leather soled is because they were (and are) used for dancing has been overshadowed by the discussion of whether or not they're necessary for dancing. I'm not much of a dancer, so I can't comment on the necessity of such shoes, but I also think that the two sides of the discussion have very different dances in mind.

Whether or not they're necessary doesn't change the fact that anything else would not be traditional. It doesn't matter if you're dancing, standing in a corner, or bowling (actually, leather-soled shoes really are necessary for that last one ), if the event is formal, thin soles are what is generally worn.

I suppose it's a lot like the sgian dubh - it may have been used for far more practical things in the past, but it is now traditional to wear one even if it is purely decorative. You may not use your sgian for much, and you may not dance in your formal shoes, but both are important and traditional parts of Highland dress.

And the Whisky Tango Foxtrot

[wildrover]

But, since we are still on this one, I'm curious as to what dances we do in our kilts. Reels? Waltzes? I gather some may do more modern dancing. Me, I end up doing a lowlife version of swing dancing.

And the Whisky Tango Foxtrot

So far, swing and blues, and the latter incorporates a little tango, a little salsa, a little hip hop, I suppose a bit of ballroom, and occasionally the odd pole, chair, or wall. All depends on the company and the venue.

If one receives a lap dance while kilted, would that count?

Keep in mind the Whisky Tango Foxtrot is technically a reel.