Clothes

Please note that these are school policies written by Brenda to clarify the costuming requirements for competitive dancers. Some competitive dancers may be split between two categories. If this is the case, the dancer may follow the guidelines for the higher of the two categories she dances in. For example, if a dancer competes in Novice Reel and Jig but Prize Winner Slip Jig and Hornpipe, that dancer may follow the guidelines for Prize Winner category.

To help all parents and students understand the guidelines; the various categories are defined and explained how a dancer advances through the various levels of competitive dance.

To make these definitions easier to understand, please note the following:

*A dancer will remain in each category for a minimum of one year regardless of how many medals they win during that year. For example, if a dancer enters his/her first feis as a Beginner in May, they remain in the Beginner category until the following May.

*With the exception of the Beginner category, a dancer only advances in the dances in which he/she has placed during the year. For example, if an Advanced Beginner dancer places in her reel but never places in her Slip Jig, she moves to Novice in her Reel but her Slip Jig stays in Advanced Beginner.

Dance Categories

Pre-beginner - This category is reserved for first year dancers ages 4 and 5. Pre-beginners advanced to Beginner category after one full year.

Beginner - Any dancer who has had less than one year of dance lessons, i.e. any dancer who began lessons after September 2001. Beginner dancers automatically advance to Beginner II/Advanced Beginner after they complete one full year of dance lessons. Exception: a dancer who competes as a pre-beginner for one year may compete as a Beginner the following year even though they may have had more than one full year of lessons.

Beginner II/Advanced Beginner - Any dancer who has taken more than one year of dance lessons but has never competed or a dancer who competed as a Beginner for one full year.

Novice - Any dancer who has completed one full year as an Advanced Beginner AND has placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a particular dance during that year.

Prize Winner - Any dancer who has completed one full year in Novice AND who has placed 1st in a particular dance.

Preliminary Championship - Any dancer who has completed one full year in Prize Winner and has one a first place in a light dance and a heavy dance.

Open Championship - Any dancer who has completed one full year in Preliminary Championship and has one two first places.

Costuming Requirements

Beginner - First year Beginners may wear their class uniforms to compete (black leotard, skirt and poodle socks). Beginners may also wear a white school costume to compete if one is available.

Beginner II/Advanced Beginner - Advanced Beginner will wear white school costume or, if available, green school costume.

Novice - Novice dancers will wear the green school costume to compete. First year Novice dancers may also wear the white school costume. Dancers who have completed one full year in Novice and are entering their second year as a Novice dancer, may purchase a solo costume if they wish.**

Prize Winner - Prize Winner dancers will wear the green school costume, or a solo costume if one is available.**

Preliminary/Open Championship - Championship dancers will wear a solo costume.

**Please note that any Novice or Prize Winner dancer who wishes to compete in Figure Dancing competitions OR participate in St. Patrick's Day shows MUST have a green or white school costume in addition to a solo costume.

Dress Care

The old saying "An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure" is true when it comes to Irish Step Dancing costumes. The best way to get your costume clean and neat looking is to prevent it from getting dirty and wrinkled in the first place. Here are some tips for cleaning and storage that will keep your dress looking new regardless of when you bought it.

Get a garment bag specially designed for Irish Step Dancing costumes. They are wide at the bottom to accommodate the full skirts so they don't get crushed while transporting them to a feis or show. They are available in a variety of styles, sizes and price ranges.

I recommend that your daughter not put her dress on until just before she is ready to dance and that you take the dress off her as soon as she is finished. This is the best way to keep it clean. Dress smocks are also a good way to keep dresses clean while waiting to go on stage and are highly recommended. And there should be ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO EATING OR DRINKING IN YOUR DRESS!!!

Purchase a set of dress shields for under the arms and use them each time your daughter puts her dress on.

Store you dress flat; do not hang it in the closet. The weight of the skirt will pull the dress out of shape and may cause the stiff front panel to cave in. Time to clean out under your bed and make room for that dress!

Maintenance Tips

If you have a second hand dress that could use a cleaning, here are some tips.

Don't have the dress dry-cleaned. The chemicals used can destroy the stiffening in the skirts and the dress will come out looking limp.
For under-arm sweat odors, lay the dress flat on the counter on top of a clean towel and hand wash the top of the dress in the sink.
For dirt spots on the rest of the dress, spot-clean where necessary with a damp cloth. However, students with white school dresses should not spot clean with water because the green satin will bleed onto the white gabardine.
If the white lace collar looks dingy from make up or sweat, remove the collar, and wash and reattach when dry and pressed.
If the embroidery threads start to fray, purchase a bottle of "Fray Stop" at your local JoAnn Fabrics and email or speak to Nancy O'Leary or Brenda McKean about the proper way to trim and seal broken embroidery threads.
Use Vaseline instead of black shoe polish to shine your shoes before a feis or performance. That way you won't get black shoe marks on the skirt of your dress.
Put a small piece of black electrical tape over the buckle of your jig shoes so it won't catch on the embroidery threads in the back and pull them.
Remind your daughter not to handle the dress, especially the front panel, when she's wearing it. It's a natural instinct for them to touch the skirt, especially if it's a new dress, but the oil and dirt from their hands will come off. After a little nagging, I'm sure they will remember to keep hands off.
Parents, use common sense. If you want to pick up your daughter or rough house or play around, take the dress off first.

Remember, Irish Step Dancing costumes are a work of art and a sizable investment for the average family; not to mention a LABOR of love for the women who make them (and I emphasize the word LABOR). Protect and respect your investment and keep in looking great. Not only is it important to your daughter's performance, but you'll get more return on your investment when it's time to sell.