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Irish Dance Costumes

Irish Dance costumes range from simple to extravagant in design and price.  School costumes for Beginners are simpler designs, meant to be cost effective for new Irish Dancers.  More elaborate school costumes are used for Performance Irish Dance Teams.  Solo costumes are used for Competition only and not worn for performances.Irish Dance School Dresses use colours and designs to represent the school and set them apart from others. McConnell school colours are Orange, White, and Green, to represent the colours in the Irish flag and we use the trinity design to signify our three generations of McConnell Irish Dance .

The McConnell School Costume are designed by Malley Sport in Dublin and Prime Dresses in USA.

Malley Sport Costumes are used for Recreational and Competitive Dancers

Prime Costumes are used for Performance Team and Competitive Dancers

Second Hand or Used Irish Dance costumes may be available for sale in our BUY & SELL GROUP - CLICK HERE

FEMALE IRISH DANCE COSTUMES

YOUNG BEGINNERS (AGES 2 - 6)

Beginner Irish Dance Skirt & Top is an economic option for younger dancers who are not ready to purchase the McConnell School Dress.  Preschool and Beginner Dancers who wish to wear the Malley Sport Irish Dance Dress (see below) may do so rather than wear the Irish Dance skirt and bodysuit.

The fabric is machine washable and made from a durable performance stretch fabric. ​

Malley Top & Skirt, Dance Briefs, Poodle Socks

Prices are in U.S. Currency.  Additional fees include shipping, duty, and currency conversion

MALLEY DANCE SKIRT

               $100                     

or 

BLACK DANCE SKIRT

Plain black dance style skirt available from most dance supply stores. This is an economic option for parents who would rather not invest in the Malley Sport Skirt or Dress.

 

BLACK LONG SLEEVE BODYSUIT 

Available from any local dance supply stores including Harlequin, Dance Plus, and Walmart

Please insure bodysuit has full length sleeves and is black in colour.  Available from local dance supply stores (Harlequin, Dance Plus, Walmart)

POODLE SOCKS 

Poodle Socks are always available for purchase at the studio. Contact us via email or ask your instructor.

$15 

MALLEY SPORT IRISH DANCE DRESS

BEGINNERS (ALL AGES) AND LEVEL 1 -5 

School Irish Dance Dress for Recreational & Competitive for Levels 1 - 5. The fabric is machine washable and made from a durable performance stretch fabric.  These dresses may be ordered with extra room for growth

 Malley Irish Dance Dress, Dance Briefs, Poodle Socks

IRISH DANCE DRESS 

$195 

DANCE BRIEFS

Black bicycle style dance shorts must be worn under the Malley Sport Dress.

  Available from local dance supply stores (Harlequin, Dance Plus, Walmart)

POODLE SOCKS 

Championship or Knee length can be purchased from the school at anytime

$15 

ADULT IRISH DANCE COSTUMES

Adult Irish dancers have the option to purchase a Malley Sport Dress or use a plain black dress (of their choice) or flared, Irish dance style skirt with black bodysuit.

MALE IRISH DANCE COSTUMES

School Costume for Male Recreational and Competitive for Preschool, Beginner and Levels 1 - 5.  The fabric is machine washable and made from a durable performance stretch fabric. ​ Preschool and Beginner students may choose the Round Neck T-Shirt which is a more economic option than the Polo Shirt for growing Irish Dancers.

Malley Polo Round Neck T-Shirt or Polo Shirt, Black Dress or Dance Pants, and Black Dress Socks.  Male dancers choose either the Round Neck T-Shirt OR Polo Shirt.  For those who wish to have a change of shirt, you are welcome to purchase both items.

 T-SHIRT

$55

or 

WHITE DRESS SHIRT

WITH BLACK BOW TIE

 

 

POLO SHIRT

$80

DRESS PANTS

Black in colour, preferably with some stretch and no pockets.Available from any local department, dance or fitness supply store.

 

BLACK DRESS SOCKS

Calf or Knee Length black socks available at local clothing stores

 

PERFORMANCE TEAM COSTUMES

The McConnell Performance & Competitive Team Costume is designed by Prime Dresses in the U.S.A.   

Younger ladies wear the Starter Dress and established dancers wear the School Dress.  Gents wear a vest and cummerbund with a black dress shirt and black pants.

Costume orders are placed in the Dec - Jan each season.

 

Prices are in U.S. Funds. Shipping, Taxes, and Duty may apply

IRISH DANCE WIGS

Wigs are option for all Recreational Irish dance students.  Prior to ordering or purchasing a wig, dancers should check with their instructor to insure the wig is appropriate for use.  Dancers who choose not to wear wigs are asked to pull their hair back into a 1/2 pony tail for performances and competitions.

 

PONYTAIL WIG

BUN WIG

LONG LOOSE CURL

LONG TIGHT CURL

IRISH DANCE WIGS

WHY DO IRISH DANCERS WEAR WIGS?
Depending on who you ask, there are many ideas as to where the Irish dance trend for large curly wigs begin.  Some say the tightly curled big hair worm by Irish dancers came from a cultural longing. Curly hair is also reminiscent of a time when young Irish ladies dressed in their Sunday best with curls. Another functional reason is big curly hair balances out the large stiff dresses the girls wear and accentuates the dance moves. Irish dancing is a way of life for some dancers with competitions and performances taking place all year-round. Unless your hair is naturally curly, achieving tightly curled hair is a very time-consuming process. In the past dancers did their hair with rag curls, sometimes using 150 strips of cloth. Wigs facilitated ladies' prep time and gave a more uniform look during performances.

Wigs are optional for McConnell Recreational & Competitive Irish Dancers. 

Irish Dance Wigs are made from memory curl plastic and come in a variety of styles and prices.

WIG APPLICATION & CARE

Wigs should be applied at home, before performances or competitions due to constraints of time and space in dressing rooms. 

  • Irish Dance wigs have combs or draw strings  to hold the wig in place, however additional bobby pins are recommended as a safety precaution to prevent the wig from falling off during a performance.  
  • Bangs should be tucked under headbands and do not hang down on the face.  
  • Wigs should NOT be stored in plastic bags or containers as the synthetic material used will deteriorate
  • Do NOT attempt to brush your wig. Wigs can be washed (a wig shampoo is recommended)  Once washed, they can be wrapped in a towel and left to dry.  Lustre sprays are available to replace shine and prevent frizzing. 
  • If treated gently wigs will last many years, however they will rapidly become tangled and frizzy if they are not properly looked after

 

WHERE TO BUY WIGS
 
TIPS FOR WEARING WIGS
Hair should be put in 2 ponytails on the sides of the head. This creates hair going in the opposite direction of the comb in the wig and therefore causes resistance to the comb sliding backwards while the dancer is bouncing.
If the last time the hair is flipped through the pony tail holder, it is only pulled part way through it makes the hair easier to tuck underneath the wig.

Once the combs are fastened in, it is always best to put 3 - 4 bobby pins just securing the wig. Usually in the front, woven with the hair and front of the wig, this also helps prevent the wig from sliding backwards during a performance or competition.

SOLO IRISH DANCE COSTUMES

Solo Irish Dance costumes are elaborate, one of a kind outfits for female and male Irish dancers. Solo costumes have evolved from traditional embroidered Celtic dresses to colourful designs laden with jewels and crystals.  

For many Irish dancers, solo costumes are highly desired item which they must work for in order to wear one.

 

SOLO COSTUMES REQUIREMENTS

Solo costumes may only be worn by dancers who've achieved a level of Meanghrád (Level 3).  This regulation, established by CRN is to insure dancers earn the privilege and maintain the standard of Irish dance and fairness for all. 

We appreciate your cooperation in following all guidelines for solo costume purchases. 

WHEN TO CONSIDER A SOLO DRESS

Dancers under 18 may not purchase a solo dress until they enrolled in a Meanghrád level class and have learned 1 Meanghrád dance (at the discretion of the instructor). Dancers must have learned all Bunghrád and Ullmhuchán dances before beginning Meanghrád.

ALL SOLO DRESS PURCHASES - NEW & USED MUST BE APPROVED BY AN INSTRUCTOR PRIOR TO PURCHASE

All new and second hand solo dresses MUST be approved by the school before purchase.  Not all dresses suit every dancer and as styles change often, it is in the best interest of the dancer and the parent to wait until school approval on any solo costume.

IRISH DANCE MAKE-UP
Make-up is recommended for Irish Dance Performances as stage lighting washes out natural colour and makes performers look pale. All make-up should be applied at home, before the performance and not in dressing room or at venue.  If dancers prefer not to wear make-up for performances, we understand and it is not a requirement for Recreational and Competitive dancers.
 
 

 MAKE-UP RECOMMENDATIONS
 

FULL STAGE MAKE-UP  (Recital, Folklorama, St. Patrick's Fest')

Foundation (to match skin tone) and powder to prevent shine

Eye-shadow (brown, beige, copper shades) 

Mascara (brown or black) , 

Blush (pink)

Lip Stick – brighter (red)

 

LIGHT MAKE-UP  (Competitions)

For smaller venues without stage lighting, less make-up is recommended.

Powder to prevent shine

Eye-shadow (brown, beige, copper shades) 

Mascara (brown or black) , 

Blush (pink) if necessary for dancers with pale complexions

Lip Stick – lighter (red)

 

• Dancers wearing poodle socks should cover up unsightly bruises on legs and knees with foundation and make-up.

• Jewellery (rings, bracelets, earrings) may not be worn for performances with the exception of wedding rings and medical alert bracelets

 
POODLE SOCKS
Irish Dancers wear socks called "Poodle Socks" as part of their attire for performances.  We recommend dancers wear poodle socks for lessons as Irish dance shoes can over-stretch with thick socks.
• Socks should be kept clean and white (please use bleach)  
• We recommend you purchase several pairs of poodle socks for practice and save one pair for performance.
 
NEW FOR 2022 - ANKLE LENGTH POODLE SOCKS
To bring us up to date with current trends, we will be switching to ankle length poodle socks for all dancers under 21 years of age.
Any brand of Ankle length sock is acceptable, provided they follow the guidelines for ribs below.
 
POODLE SOCKS NOW AVAILABLE AT STUDIO.
Poodle socks are not available locally and must be ordered from over-seas.  We now have a limited supply of poodle socks in stock at the studio which can be purchased  through our ON-LINE STORE - CLICK HERE
 
We advise dancers to purchase socks well in advance of upcoming performances to insure we have them available and in stock.
 
Sizing is in UK - please add 1.5 to the size listed below for US / Canadian sizing.
 
 
SOCK GLUE
Poodle socks must be glued in order to prevent them from falling down.
 
Sock Glue is supplied by MSDSA for all dancers at performances.  For dancers who prefer not to share, sock glue is available for purchase at the studio or on-line from Irish dance supply stores or on Amazon.
 
DANCE TIGHTS
After age 21, Irish dancers wear black tights for Performances and Competition.
 
McConnell School of Dance recommends Mondor tights with no less than 70 denier.
 
• Please do substitute brands with less than 70 denier as colour differences are noticeable on stage.
• Tights should be run free. 
 
 We recommend you have a spare pair on hand for a backup.  

COSTUME F.A.Q's

DO DANCERS PURCHASE OR RENT SCHOOL COSTUMES?

Dancers purchase school costumes so they can have a their own, well fitting costume. 

 

WHEN ARE COSTUMES PURCHASED?

Costume orders are placed in October and January each season to allow enough time for orders to arrive by March. This is the only time school costumes can be ordered so it is important performing dancers don't miss the deadline.

 

HOW LONG WILL A SCHOOL COSTUME BE USED?

Class costumes are updated every 5 - 7  years to keep the designs current and affordable for dancers.  Our current school costumes were introduced in 2019 and these designs will be in use for severals years in the future.

 

CAN I SELL MY COSTUME WHEN I NO LONGER NEED IT?

Dancers who outgrow their class costumes are able to sell their used dress to other students within our school while the costumes are still in circulation.  Second Hand costumes can be sold at MSDSA Shoe & Costume Swaps and posted in our School's Facebook Groups.

 

DO DANCERS HAVE TO WEAR WIGS?

Wigs are used by our Performance Teams but optional Recreational and Competitive Dancers.  Some dancers enjoy wearing Irish dance wigs and other's prefer not to wear them and we leave that decision up to the individual. 

  • Dancers may choose any current style of Irish dance wig (full, ponytail, bun, long or short) and colour they wish. 
  • For those who prefer not to wear wigs, hair can be pulled back in a "1/2 pony tail" or similar style to keep it off dancer's face.

 

DO DANCERS HAVE TO WEAR MAKE-UP?

Make-up is optional for Recreational & Competitive dancers at performances and competition.  For performances make does help to prevent dancers faces from being "washed out" from professional lighting and is recommended.  If dancers prefer not to wear make-up, we understand.  For competition, generally light or no make-up is recommended for younger dancers.