When
attending a state or national convention, you will see the dancers in many
different types of outfits. The
most common you will see is the traditional western style dress.
Traditional
Western Style Dress- This will be the ladies wearing full, flared skirts with a
multiple layered petticoat and matching pettipants. The men will be wearing
western style trousers, with long sleeve western shirts, that match the ladies
blouses. Shoes must be comfortable, be of suede or leather soles, not hard
rubber that may mar or scratch the wooden floors we dance on. The ladies can
purchase shoes specially made for dancing.
Prairie
Skirt-
Another popular style of dress is the ladies wearing a prairie skirt in lieu of
the flared skirt. The men will dress the same in both styles.
Round
dancers will probably be wearing either of the above two mentioned styles,
however, the western style skirts will not be as full.
A few round dancers may wear formal ball-room style dancing attire.
Contra-
Contra dancers may be wearing clothing similar to styles of the Colonial period.
Country
Line-
Country Line dancers will probably be wearing modern day western clothing,
similar to the traditional, but the ladies will be wearing slacks or short
skirts. Western boots may also be worn.
Clogging-
Clogging dancers may be wearing traditional western style outfit, a special
dance costume, or just plain casual clothing. Their shoes will be special made or modified for clogging.
Higher
Level Dancing-
The DBD, Advanced, and Challenge dancers will probably choose the traditional
western style or prairie style clothing.
Casual
dress-
Summer, for men and ladies, slacks, jeans, or just above the knee shorts, short
sleeve shirts, polo shirts, or T-shirts. Winter,
for men and ladies, slacks or jeans, long sleeve shirts, sweat shirt, team
jersey, or sweater, men and ladies may or may not match. Shoes must be
comfortable, be of suede or leather soles, not hard rubber that may mar or
scratch the wooden floors we dance on.
Special
Theme Dress-
Most clubs have occasional theme dances that encourage the dancers to dress in a
different way or in a costume, such as Halloween, Hobo, etc.
Use your imagination, dress the part, and enjoy the dance.
When
to Wear What:
At
dance specials, weekend evenings, and conventions, it is preferred to dress in
traditional western style or prairie style, unless it is announced otherwise.
An exception may be a camping club.
Square
dance clubs have set their own policies as to when to dress in western wear or
casual. At the Hicks
and Chicks, we recommend cool casual for June through September,
and warm layer casual for January, February, and March. The other months are
western attire.
Some
clubs dance casual dress the year round.
When
a club is doing a demonstration, dress in western attire unless otherwise
directed.
For
club lessons, casual dress is preferred, except graduation night, then dress
western wear.
Additional
tips:
Large
dangly bracelets on ladies make certain calls more difficult to maneuver around,
and is not recommended to wear dancing.
Bolo
ties vs. scarves- either one for men are acceptable. The scarves usually match
the shirt the man wears, or the ladies skirt.
ALWAYS wear
comfortable shoes, leather soled shoes work best.
Bowling shoes with suede soles work well too, as long as the shoe can
slide on the floor, you’ll be fine.
It
is encouraged to use the local suppliers of western apparel as they support
square dancing in the Columbus area.
Several
suppliers and vendors will be at jamborees and conventions. Ladies, be
prepared to spend many hours searching their racks (And bring plenty of money)
during these jamborees and conventions.
Western
Style Petticoat-
The western style petticoat shown above is extra full, and can be purchased at
any degree of fullness as the dancer prefers. They can be gotten in many
different colors to match the ladies dress or skirt. Because square dancers
twirl, fancy pettipants are available in matching colors.
Square Dance Belts
Ladies
Belts-
The ladies square dance belts shown above, will be the most common type used.
They come in many different colors to match the ladies outfit. Other options may
be a shinny silver belt or a leather belt.
Bolo
Tie or a Scarf
Bolo
Tie or a Scarf -
Men have the option to wear a bolo tie, a scarf, or a western bow tie. A scarf
should match the ladies blouse or skirt, or maybe his own shirt. A bolo tie is a
stand alone style, it may be a picture, symbol, stone, or may be plain sterling
silver.
Peasant
Style Blouse
Peasant
Blouse-
Blouses shown in the couples pictures are the most common western style blouses.
The peasant style blouse shown above is another accepted type.
Do not hesitate to wear other types of blouses you feel comfortable with.
Collar
Tips, Bolo Ties, Towel Holder, and Belt Buckles
Men’s
Collar Tips-
These are metal “corners” that attach to the collar of western or regular
men’s shirt to add a more western flair to the shirt. The tips come with a
thumb screw or needs an Allen wrench (usually provided with the tips) to fasten.
The bolo tie and towel holder may match the collar tips.
Bolo
Ties-
Bolo ties are the most common tie warn with western wear. The different designs
of a bolo tie is limited only to the creativity of the designer. The most basic
is sterling silver with turquoise and coral. In the photo above, the all white
center is really a silver dollar that didn’t photograph well, sorry.
Towel
Holder
Men, frequently during the hot summer months, will wear a small towel (for
obvious reasons) under his belt. The towel holder is a more convenient and
attractive way to wear the towel. The holder may be made of metal or leather.
Belts
and Belt Buckles-
Belts will be made of leather, be wider than normal belts, are plain or tooled
with pictures or shapes, and will have snaps at the buckle end to permit buckles
to be easily changed. The design of a buckle is limitless. The back side of the
buckle has a loop to attach to the belt and a hook to catch a hole in the belt.
Traditional Western Style Square Dance Attire
Ladies-
Knee length skirt and flared petticoat, blouse to match man’s shirt. May be a
one-piece dress.
Men-
Men will wear a western style shirt with yoke, collar, long sleeves, usually two
pockets, and decorative snaps, and western style trousers, with belt and buckle.
They have the option of wearing a bolo tie or scarf. The ladies prefer the men
to wear long sleeve shirts when doing an “Allemande Left” etc.
Men’s
Collar Tips-
These are metal “corners” that attach to the collar of western or regular
men’s shirt to add a more western flair to the shirt. The tips come with a
thumb screw or needs an Allen wrench (usually provided with the tips) to fasten.
The bolo tie may match the tips.
Prairie Skirt Style Western Wear Attire
Prairie
Skirts-
Square dance attire evolved to a long prairie skirt for the ladies. The lady’s
blouse and man’s shirt can be matching colors. The men may wear a bolo tie or
a scarf that matches the ladies blouse or skirt.
Round
dancers may prefer this prairie style of skirt to the flared western style
skirt. Round dancers at a
convention, may dress in a more formal type clothing.
Club
Shirts
Club Shirts- Many square dance clubs have their club logo and club name on matching polo or T-shirts. During the summer and casual dress dances, these shirts are perfect. Most have the dancer’s name embroidered on the shirt.
Casual
Matching Outfits
Casual
Matching Outfits-
Some dancers will choose to wear matching shirts and jeans for comfort. Not a
common attire to wear to a traditional square dance, but has been accepted.
Vests
and Western Hats
Vests-
For dancers who would like the warmth or style of a vest, do wear them. They
defiantly add class to your outfits., and if you get too hot dancing, you can
take it off.
Western
Hats-
For dancers who would rather wear a hat than not, the western style hat, also
known as the ”Stetson” hat, is perfect. The author has a “cigarette”
style western hat, where the brim is rolled up, so the wearer can store a days
supply of cigarettes. These hats
can be worn inside the dance hall.