The costumes are a very distinctive part of Irish dancing both historically and in dancing today although they have evolved significantly over the years. Presentation is an important part of any performance.
Modern costumes can appear somewhat daunting as there are a vast array of intricate dresses which can be expensive, but at the lower levels of dancing there are many options available.
Different
dance schools have different guidelines for what to wear to lessons. Some
have 'uniforms' they wish their dancers to wear so check with your teacher
if you dance somewhere else.
Dancers with the Boyd School of Irish Dancing should wear shorts which allow their legs to be seen properly, a comfortable t-shirt/top and dance shoes (click here for more information on shoes).
Irish dancers wear a special type of sock called poodle socks (or bubble socks) which are made from a thick cotton with a bobbly texture.They tend to be thicker than ordinary socks so it is best to wear these for practice as well or otherwise your dance shoes may be too big. You should always wear your poodle socks when trying on new shoes.
Boyd dancers who have long hair should wear it tied back off of their face for classes.
Until the relatively recent advent of Riverdance, boys would wear kilts for feiseanna and displays. This is now very unusual and boys have embraced the new trend for wearing smart tailored trousers instead.
Costume styles for boys vary less by the level of the dancer than those for girls. Boys wear black socks, black trousers, a black, coloured or white shirt, and often a tie, waistcoat or cummerbund (a strip of fabric worn around the waist). These items may be embroidered with Celtic or other designs or embellished with diamante stones for more advanced dancers.
Whatever level it is important that the trousers and shirt fit properly, are clean, well pressed and are as smart as possible!
Generally
many dancers in the beginner grade and some in the primary grade will wear a
simple beginners costume. This could consist of a short black skirt, a white
or black blouse, t-shirt or leotard, and black underwear to ensure modesty
when kicking and jumping (school PE knickers are ideal). You can also wear a
soft cape/shawl if you wish - pin it to your right shoulder then pin
the bottom at your left hip so it does not flap about too much.
Whatever you wear make sure it is clean and pressed and your socks are
pulled up! - you can buy 'sock glue' to help keep your socks up.
Some dance schools may have specific skirts/tops especially for beginners. Ian sometimes has skirts and capes that Boyd dancers can borrow.
A
class dress is an Irish dancing dress in a design that is unique to a
particular dancing school. They are generally simpler, and hence cheaper,
than solo dresses (see below).
Class dresses are usually made of a sturdy fabric such as gaberdine or velvet, with stiffening in the skirt and embellished with embroidery or applique. Big knickers called 'kick pants', 'bloomers' or 'spankies' are worn underneath (over your own underwear) so that when you kick your leg up modesty is preserved! The skirt has slits with a contrasting fabric gusset called a 'kick pleat' to allow movement. A cape or shawl is attached at the back with velcro or a brooch.
A school dress is often the first dress worn by a dancer in beginner or primary grades and is worn by the dancers in a celli team so that all the dancers match.
Dancing schools often sell second hand class dresses or hire them to students. You should not wear a class dress from a different school so be wary of buying them from places such as eBay if it is not your own school's design.
Solo
dresses are intricate, one of a kind dresses, so called because they are
worn by dancers for their solo competitions (as opposed to celli team
competitions).
In some schools, particularly in the US, dancers must reach a certain level in order to 'earn' the right to wear a solo dress. In the UK it is relatively common for beginners to wear solo dresses but these tend to be simpler or of an older design than those worn by Open level dancers.
Solo dresses are often made of more decorative, but also more fragile materials and have sequin and diamante embellishments (for more information on fabrics, click here).
The design of each solo dress is unique and you should never copy someone else's design. Originally Celtic patterns and designs were used but modern dresses also feature geometric, floral and other designs.
The underneath of the skirt can also be elaborate with bright contrasting fabrics, sequins and embroidery designed to be seen when the dancers kick and leap.
A new Open level solo dress can be very expensive, costing in excess of £1,000. However simpler dresses for young beginners can be bought for a few hundred pounds, and there is an excellent market in second hand dresses as they are usually outgrown while there is still a lot of wear left in them. The money from selling a dress can help pay for a new one. If you are fortunate you may also be able to borrow a solo dress.
There are a large number of dress designers although most are small businesses and have limited 'slots' available each year for making dresses so they can get booked up. Dress makers Ian particularly recommends are;
Kirsty Blair-McCarthy - 07969-214290
Ailis O'Dowda - www.odowdadesigns.co.uk
Christin Angliss - 024 7630 3706
Sue Breen - susanbreen2@yahoo.com
There are websites for other designers and for finding second hand dresses in the more information section.
Taking Care of Your Dress
A solo or class dress is a big investment and should be well looked after to make sure it always looks its best - this also helps protect its resale value.
Dresses should be kept flat whenever possible, storing, covered, under the bed or sofa can be ideal. Keep it out of direct light to stop it fading
Transport it in a bag that will keep it clean and not squash the skirt. There are many specially designed bags available. Name it clearly - there will be lots at a feis!
Do not eat or drink in your dress other than water or clear liquids to avoid risk of spills
Do not sit in a chair with a back that will squash the skirt panels. Sit on a stool or the floor if clean or take your dress off before sitting down
If possible wear dress guards with your dress to absorb sweat
Air it out after each wearing before storing away
If there are sequins that will rub on each other when folded, or if you are carrying two dresses in one bag, put some off-cuts of cotton or an old towel between the areas that will rub
The Stage 'Look'
To create a full stage look, Irish dancers sometimes choose to add other elements to their costume, which can be particularly effective if performing on a big stage under lights but could be over the top if dancing 3 feet from the adjudicator in broad daylight!
|
There are fashions in headresses that come and go. Headress options include a 'crown' made to match the dress, a tiara which can be plain or backed with fabrics to match the dress or a barrel hairband - an alice band decorated with sequins, ribbons, flowers etc. Sparkly hair pins are sometime worn as well |
|
|
Glittery makeup to tone in with the colours of your dress can help to accentuate features. Don't overdo it! Make up is not allowed at feiseanna for dancers in the U12 age group and below in the beginner and primary grades |
|
|
Pale complexions can look even paler under stage lights so some dancers use fake tan on their legs. Can stain the underskirt of the dress |
|
|
Earrings |
Earrings in colours to match your dress are often sold at Feiseanna. If you don't have pierced ears you could always try sticking a diamante stone to your ear with sock glue! |
|
Buckles |
Sparkly shoe buckles threaded onto wide black elastic before being sewn into a loop which can be slipped over your heavy shoes to catch the adjudicators eye - and look pretty! |
|
Sparkle Socks |
Poodle socks embellished with diamantes or bands of diamantes worn around the top of the socks can add a final sparkle!
|
|
|
|
|
An extract from the rules of An Coimisiún regarding dresses worn for Feiseanna |
|
|
A description of different types of solo dress style from Elevation Design. Covers wrap, 3, 4 & 5 panel, frill, soft wave & two piece |
|
|
Tips for buying second hand dresses from the excellent 'We Love Irish Dancing' blog, written by a US dancer's Mum |
|
|
Probably the largest site for second hand dresses Check measurements carefully - they are generally the dress measurement not the measurement of the dancer it will fit, but if in doubt ask! |
|
|
Second hand dress website which has a wide range of search options, including by measurements, by age and by designer |
|
|
Site with free listings for second hand costumes |
|
|
Another second hand dress site. This one is UK based |
|
|
A dance shop in Limerick Ireland that have a small stock of second hand dresses and advertise them online |
|
|
Section of the website of the Dublin based photographers dedicated to second hand dress sales |
|
|
Sometimes good costumes are available on eBay Make sure you are careful what you are buying and who from |
|
| Websites for some Irish Dancing Dress designers |
More Information