The_Dress

The Irish Dancing dress - a major topic of discussion. It's part and parcel of competing at Feisanna. These days, for children competing, dresses are becoming glitzier, brighter and the flashier the better - with lots of sparkles and metallic applique on the dresses.

It looks fantasic on kids and teenagers - so..... now we come to the question - What do Adult females wear in competitions?

Part of the answer depends on the dancer of course - their body shape, size, height, colouring and also age. It also depends on their level of dancing. As my teacher says "There is no use of putting on a flashy dress if you are going out to dance the light jig "

The dress should be relevant to the level of the dancer. In some countries it is a standard to wear the school dress as a beginner - you have to earn your stripes before you can acquire a solo dress. Unfortunately this is not the case in all countries and adults who wish to compete do have find something appropriate to wear on stage.

I put this questions to the Irish Dancing Jewels discussion group - asking what female adults should wear in Feisanna and could they describe the dresses that they had chosen to wear or nice dresses that they had seen. Below are some of their responses:-

In my opinion adults look inappropriate in the ornate type solo dresses that some of the younger dancers wear. It looks way too busy and is distracting to the dance. I think a clean, simple look is best. I designed my own dress and have had many compliments on it. It is made of a very dark maroon colored velvet, black and gold trim on a square neck-line and on the wrists (sort of pointed wrist line). It is sort of medieval looking. It is fitted, yet comfortable and cool and loose enough to hide any flaws! Nice black hose cut a nice continuous line while dancing as opposed to wearing the poodle socks and stiff dresses. Black shoes against white socks against tan skin against a stiff dress (which also makes a big shadow over your legs) draw too many horizontal lines across the legs which takes away from the flow and appearance of your steps. Being a short person, I am very attuned to that which can make the legs appear longer.

Kathleen Barnard is my instructor, and she feels much the same way I do about adult dress. She is designing our school dresses with much the same idea in mind, although our school dresses will include some embroidery.

There aren't a lot of adult dancers competing here in Florida - most wear a school costume or wear something of their own design, or even just a blouse with a black skirt and black hose. Occasionally, you see something that just doesn't look Irish at all - a store bought dress for example that may be too clingy at the hips. When the dancer lifts her legs, it is just more exposure than is appropriate in competition or anywhere for that matter. The rules do require "traditional" Irish dress for competition, so it is important to keep that in mind even when considering variations of the elaborate dresses we see the youngsters wearing.

So, be subtle, be simple, be sleek, be comfortable, be cool and whatever you do, don't buy that sparkly dress at the mall that looks like it should be worn to a Christmas party.

That's my opinion!

Piper Hatcher
Gainesville, Florida

Yes I think I am of the mind that older' dancers look better in something a little less elaborate and by older dancers I mean in their 30's etc. Some thing that suits the dancer and their body shape.

I too have quite a simple dress, which I had made but am thinking it may be a little too plain now. Four adults at my studio had the exact same dresses made with contrasting shawls and lining - one dress has bright blue (mine), one had jade green, one had purple and the orange. The dress is basic black with a white collar and the contrasting shawls stand out and the lining also when we are dancing.

We have competed in the Regionals and Nationals in these dresses and recieved so many favourable comments from other dancers and teachers about them.

Sally
Sydney, Australia