Hello! This is a repeat of the single postings I did a while back plus a few new ones: Thank you to Helen at SOBHD for her patience and diligence in providing these answers.

JIG QUESTIONS:
RED or GREEN: Male jig costume must have contrast. Female jig costumes do not have to have contrast, but reversible 2 colors items (ie skirt) are permitted. A bodice and skirt, or a cummerbund and skirt are permitted, but do not have to match in color.

BODICE: May be straight across the bottom or have petals, tabs, or a fitted shape.

JUMPERS - PINNAFORES: Sleeveless dresses may have sides and armholes, or they may be completely open on the side.

BLOUSES: Blouses are not to have any additional trim, but may be made from an all-over eyelet (Broderie Anglaise). All over lace is not permitted.

APRONS AND PETTICOATS: White is the only color permitted on aprons and petticoats (exception of the shamrock). This includes tiny ribbons and thread color. There is nothing preventing trim and ribbons as long as they are white.

SOCKS AND PANTIES: Socks and panties must be white and absolutely plain – no trim of any kind is permitted.

RUFFLED EDGES: This is the one question I did not get a really clear yes/no answer on. The answer was yes they are permitted, but only if the ruffle was not to large and made from the same fabric as the rest of the garment (white on white, red on red for example), and was not obtrusive. A personal judgement call here I guess.

ABOYNES
PLEATED ABOYNE SKIRTS: Pleating is permitted as long as it is not kilt-like, but gathering or cartridge type pleating is preferred.

HORNPIPES:
Hornpipe socks - yes they must be worn (not pantyhose), and they can be either color and are not required to either match or contrast the color of the uniform.

HORNPIPE VEST: The white center insert must be bound – or edged - not with braid, and can be ¼ to ½ inch from the edge, Helen specifically noted ½ inch as getting to be to big.

Thanks again Sammi. It was a good idea of yours to put all the 'corrections' together.

I very much appreciate the trouble you went to to get definitive answers from SOBHD and your time in posting so Highland DDNers could stay abreast of the official rulings.

It would be a good idea to have this info on a "STICKY"
This way if any changes do come up or outstanding concerns eventually clarified SammiK would be able to update her post.

I really appreciate this current update SammiK!

Thank you for sharing & helping us all out with our many & varied costume queries especially the JIG!!

Thanks Sammi, That does answer my question about the edging on the hornpipe. It should be at the top of the white insert and not a piece of navy braid placed lower. I believe the patterns have a placement line for braid that is incorrect but I have not seen the updated patterns. So, for everyone making hornpipes out there, use binding at the edge of the white insert. thanks Sammi.

Hi,

Thanks for putting this on

It has answered a few of my questions,

Ruth

Hi thanks this really helps!

Just one question I didn't find it that clear if you have a navy hornpipe do you have to wear navy socks and the same for white? (white socks obviously)

thanks!! Irene

HORNPIPES:
Hornpipe socks - yes they must be worn (not pantyhose), and they can be either color and are not required to either match or contrast the color of the uniform.

So you can wear white socks with white or navy outfit, or navy socks with navy or white outfit.

DD wears a navy outfit with short white socks. Most dancers here wear white socks. I saw some navy socks with a navy outfit recently and I, personally, wasn't fond of the look.

thanks for the great information

Hey, does anyone know if cotton eyelet "lace" on the front of a blouse is okay for aboynes, or not? The SOBHD says no frills but I'm not sure if this is frilly, or if that is lace lace.

Tawny

I have questions about kiltie and national skirt length. According the the rules kilt should be to the top of the knew and national to the knee. What exactly does that mean and how do you really measure that?

Thanks everyone.

This really helped. Thanks a lot

I am trying to find information on requirements for hornpipe pants. Do they need to be bellbottom and is there a specific size of bottom? What about type of material? Anything special in requirements needed for the top?? Would be helpful to know when reviewing what is available! Thanks .

Hi HighlandTex,

Here is the SOBHD dress code for the Hornpipe:

DRESS FOR SAILOR’S HORNPIPE
Cap: Regulation white with circular crown. The cap should not have a name band.
Jumper: To be made of navy blue material (serge or twill) or white drill, shaped to the body and with set in sleeves. V-neck front opening with double thickness collar attached. The bottom of the jumper should be in line with the top of the thigh and the sleeves to extend to the wrist bone. The sleeves may be buttoned but stripes are not acceptable.
Collar: Navy or blue denim with three white stripes. Should be worn with either navy or white jumper. Black ribbon, tied in a bow may be worn at the base of the v-neck.
Vest: To be white drill with square neck and bound with navy binding.
Trousers: To be made of the same material and to be the same colour as the jumper. Bell - bottomed style, the circumference of the trouser bottoms to be two or three inches wider than the circumference of the knee. Trouser bottoms to be plain.
Socks: Plain white or navy.
Footwear: Black highland dancing pumps.
Hair: No visible hair adornments.

Here is the link if you'd like to read it for yourself:
sobhd.net . . .

Take care,
DundeeDancer

does anyone know if you are allowed small ribbons on the sleeves of your jig dress, and if so then how many are you allowed to have?
i think the national allows four small ribbons on each sleeve?

could anyone know a good boys kilt and trews maker near Edinburgh area. Thanks

does it matter which side the kilt opens at for exams? My daughters old kilt had the open side at her left leg but her new one opens at the right. I know boys and girls kilts are different sides but does it matter for exams??

I appreciate your research & thoughtfulness to post - it helps mothers with new dancers to understand some of the rules.

Thank you so much for sharing this information with us! We really appreciate your time and knowledge!!
Have a great day!

Question:
are there any updated rules or guide lines as to what "plaids" can be used for the aboyne? I have seem some plaids (not even close to a tartan) that look like table cloths. It is much easier to convince students and their parents what is appropriate if the guidelines are clear. Thanks so much!!

dancteacher wrote:

Question:
are there any updated rules or guide lines as to what "plaids" can be used for the aboyne? I have seem some plaids (not even close to a tartan) that look like table cloths. It is much easier to convince students and their parents what is appropriate if the guidelines are clear. Thanks so much!!

As long as it looks like a tartan, you can use it. Things to look for when buying:
- cannot have shiny threads going through it (think Christmasy)
- Has to be of a cotton, cotton blend, wool or wool blend.
- cannot be taffeta (this has been banned for at least 15 years)

What I tell my parents if they're buying new (although they're still renting from me)...
- cotton or wool -like blends
- doesn't matter if it's dark or more 'dress' like (although I do prefer the white in it)
- to buy it at Fabricland in Canada or JoAnne's in the US (we're right at the border) right after Christmas when it's on sale!

That's what I can think of right now!

Having made my daughters Hornpipe outfits fot the past 5 or 6 years as per Unique Pattern with the 'vest' insert having a navy ribbon 6mm from the top edge - the Judge at todays competition pointed out that the 'vest' should have a navy edge binding only - not a ribbon placed below the edge as depicted in the pattern. The placement of an edge ribbon below the edge of the vest will result in points being deducted for non-conforming to the SOBHD dress code. Any comments would be appreciated.