The suggestion for tights came from somebody who does some other form of dance, not swing.
A skirt loose enough not to restrict leg movement will do nicely. Shoes with a leather sole will allow you to spin and turn (rubber soles can produce injuries) and the shoes should have a back so you don't have to struggle to keep them on your feet. Before you come over, you may want to pop into a local ballroom studio for a few pointers. Jive is one of the Latin dances in international ballroom, and it's basically a Europeanized version of swing dancing.