Costumes
Solo Dance Costumes
For All Dancers
1. Make-up for solo dancers aged 11 and under is strongly discouraged. If makeup is worn, it must be minimal.
2. All dancers are to appear neat and presentable at all times, whether in costume or out of it. Costumes must be in good condition and fit properly.
(a) Homemade costumes should only be worn if they are of professional-quality construction and materials and fit properly.
3. Dancers must wear their hair neatly pulled back off their faces. They may wear stud earrings only. All other jewelry must be minimal, unobtrusive and cannot be loose.
4. All costumes must cover the shoulders with either long or short sleeves (short sleeves are for beginner – intermediate dancers and team costumes).
(a) This does not preclude the use of alternative fabrics, e.g. lace, as an insert.
(b) Costumes must consist of full front, back and side sections. Cutaway styles, without full backing, are not acceptable.
5. Undergarments must not be visible at any time.
(a) All skirts, dresses and kilts must be worn with the appropriate undergarments (trunks, leotards or athletic shorts). Undergarments must cover the midriff.
(b) When tights are worn, they must be a denier of 70, i.e. dance tights. Bodysuits should be of heavyweight fabric.
6. Skirts must cover at least 1/3 of the top of the leg (thigh) in the back and may not be longer than 1” above the knee.
(a) Cropped tops and short, tight skirts are not permitted.
7. Feathers and other materials that shed are forbidden in all costumes except those worn for Freestyle competitions.
8. All forms of dance school identification (logo, name, sign, shape, etc) are banned from solo costumes worn by any competitor in any competition.
9. It is recommended that team costumes be of a more traditional style and colors; the use of stones/gems and glittery fabric is discouraged.
(a) Dance costumes featuring authentic Gaelic designs are encouraged.
10. Full costumes must be worn at all times - both while dancing and participating in award ceremonies.
Beginner and Intermediate Dancers
1. May wear a short or long sleeve shirt or leotard with a skirt, skort or tunic; a team skirt outfit or a team dress; or long black trousers with a long sleeve button down shirt and a tie, along with a vest or cummerbund.
2. Solo Dresses are prohibited in Beginner and are discouraged in Intermediate.
Novice through Champion Dancers
May wear a solo dress (with long sleeves); a team dress; a skirt, kilt or long black trousers with a long sleeve blouse or button down shirt and tie, with a vest or jacket.
Team Costumes
Figure & Ceili Costumes
1. Costumes must match or coordinate (based on gents & ladies positions) throughout the team.
2. Dancers may wear team dresses; team skirts/jumper & leotards; vests/jackets, long sleeve shirt with tie, and long pants.
3. Gaelic designs on team costumes are strongly encouraged.
4. See above rules for skirt length, undergarments, leotards, tights, make-up, etc.
Freestyle Costumes
1. Costumes must be in keeping with the theme of the routine. They do not have to be traditional or Irish and they do not need to match if that suits the theme of the dance.
2. Costumes cannot be too revealing and must conform to the age-appropriate rule.
Footwear
1. Metal components or attachments (other than screws or nails used solely to attach the heel to the shoe or the top piece to the heel) are not allowed. Steel taps are expressly prohibited.
2. Artificial carriage aids are not allowed. Medically prescribed apparatus (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this ruling.
3. Excessively tapered or built out heels, e.g. “bubble heels” are prohibited.
4. Diamante and/or colored Ghillies are only allowed to be worn on the podium or during Freestyle routines; they are prohibited in solo dance competitions. Black patent leather Ghillies may be worn at any time.