How To Look Alright On The Night
Jan 23 2008
If Ever There Was An Occasion To Wear Your Kilt Or Tartan Dress With Pride, This Has To Be It ... And Don't Forget That Sprig Of Heather
PROUD Scots look forward to wearing their kilts on Burns Night.
It's the national dress, and when better to don the tartan than our national poet's birthday?
Burns Night brings the first opportunity of the year to wear the kilt, besides New Year.
Because it is a traditional celebration, traditions should be followed but dress codes at Burns Suppers today are far less strict than in the past.
Jack McKinnie, president of Bridgeton Burns Club - the world's largest for followers of the Bard - is no stranger to wearing a kilt.
And because of his extensive knowledge about the Bard, McKinnie is often asked to give the Immortal Memory at Burns Suppers.
This year, he will be attending eight separate events.
The Burns expert suggests men don't need to wear a kilt, but should wear one if they can. However, the most important guest at the Burns Supper - who should always wear national dress - is the piper, who will play the pipes as the haggis is brought in.
Some Burns Clubs which have all-male members expect guests to wear smart suits and club ties.
But for those attending private parties, the choice of outfit is more varied and there are many alternatives to kilts.
While men have the option of the kilt or a suit, it is a bit more difficult for women to decide what to wear to their annual Burns Supper.
McKinnie, who has been fascinated by Burns for decades, suggested: "For female guests, a tartan skirt or dress could be worn.
"For a more formal occasion, women can wear cocktail dresses or ball gowns and have a tartan sash or corsage.
"For men, they can wear a formal jacket with the kilt. And for a less formal event, a ghillie shirt could be worn. They could also wear a thistle or a sprig of heather.
"If dressing in a suit, then wear a tartan tie, as inevitably the jacket will be discarded later in the evening."
McKinnie added: "Alternatively, the host can decide what guests can wear and set a dress code.
"He or she can stipulate that they can wear anything they like, but there must be a touch of tartan incorporated into their outfit - that is a popular method."
But what you wear is far less important than what brings you around the table on January 25 as McKinnie, who is affiliated to four Burns Clubs, points out.
He said: "Burns Night is not intended as a formality - it's a night about people getting together to celebrate Robert Burns, what he has done and given us as a country.
"People attend Burns Suppers to celebrate this, because that's the attraction.
"In Scotland we have a culture second to none and there are plenty of countries who would give their right arm to have it. We are a tiny country, and we have it."
So this Burns Night wear your kilt or a tartan sash with pride and enjoy the festivities that remembering our national poet brings.
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