Burns Supper Style Guide

What to wear on Burns Night: Ideas and Advice for non-natives, seasoned Scots and lovers of the bard.

Burns Night is celebrated on the 25^th January, with suppers held all over the world on, or around this date, in honour of Scotland’s national bard, Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. From an early age we all learn Burns at school, there can hardly be a Scot who doesn’t know at least a line or two of his poetry. His poems speak of love, the fallibility of man, nature and work, they capture the Scottish character and Burns is a huge source of national pride. Here in Scotland, we’re very good at national pride, we take particular relish in all that is Scottish. Formal and informal gatherings recite verse, sing songs, dine on haggis and sup whisky. We celebrate our country and what it is to be Scottish as much as we celebrate Burns. The order of the day is traditional Scottish dress, styled formally or informally.

Formal Burns Supper: What to wear for a Burns Night Party

Men – Highland Dress

Traditional Highland Dress is especially appropriate for formal Burns suppers. The classic outfit consists of:

• A kilt, or trews (tartan trousers), often in a dress tartan – a formal version containing a greater proportion of white. Clan tartans for those with clan ties. Non-Scots, and those without clan bloodlines can wear one of the universal tartans: Royal Stewart or Black Watch.
• A kilt pin.
• A dress shirt.
• A bow tie, plain or matching tartan.
• A Prince Charlie Jacket: a waist length black dress jacket with tapered front panels and prominent decorative buttons.
• A sporran: a leather or fur pouch to compensate for the lack of pockets in a kilt.
• Garter socks: plain or matching tartan
• A sgian dubh: a small, often bone handled knife that sits inside the garter sock.
• Ghillie brogues: open fronted brogues that lace up around the ankle. Brogues or dress shoes are also appropriate.

Optional extras:

• Clan badges and other heraldic accessories.
• A full plaid, a full sweep of pleated tartan worn across the shoulder, most often seen on pipers.
• A fly plaid, a less full version of the full plaid.

Ladies – Highland Dress

Formal Highland Dress for ladies is markedly simpler, usually consisting of a full-length tartan skirt. In Clan Tartan, a universal tartan, or to match your partners kilt, if appropriate. The skirt is worn with a blouse and perhaps a matching tartan sash, held with a Clan brooch.

Informal Burns Supper

Tartan is still very much the order of the day. How much or how little you wear is entirely up to you, however it’s considered good manners to show a touch of tartan, even if this is just a tartan ribbon pinned to your chest, or lapel. Ideas on how to style tartan on Burns Night: The aforementioned tartan trews are a great way to add tartan in a stylish and more informal way. Tartan Trews can be dressed down with simply a shirt and a pair of leather boots. Want to look extra smart this Burns Night? Add a Shawl Cardigan to add a smoking jacket-esque sophisticated look and layer of warmth on a cold January night. A rich navy Lambswool Windsor looks stunning paired with our Lindsay Tartan Trews from Taylor & Twill, or opt for a tonal look with a Black Watch Trews.

 If trews aren't for you, add a flash of tartan with some tartan accessories for Burns Night. A pair of tartan braces strike the perfect balance, simply add to a pair of plain suit trousers for a subtle bit of Scottish style. Other Burns Night accessories might include a tartan bow tie or tie, a tartan pocket square, scarf or hat/bonnet. Alternatively, opt for tweed accessories to keep in the Scottish theme. If you enjoyed this post and know of anyone going to a Burns Supper, please 'like' and 'share' this post using the social buttons. Thank you.