One of the first things that come to mind when seeing the beautiful costumes worn by female dancers in Irish dancing or Irish step dancing is where to buy step dancing costumes. The elaborate, beautiful dresses are truly like no other and speak exquisitely of ancient Irish tradition. But if you don’t know what to look for in a solo dancing dress, finding a step dancing costume can be tricky and expensive.
The different levels of Irish dancing determine where a dancer gets her dancing costume from. Any dancer in the Beginner or Novice levels will usually be provided with a dance costume from their school of dance. In these instances, all students will be wearing the same dance costume. After the Novice level, the dancer usually dances a solo dance and wears her own dancing costume. The Irish step dancing costume can be custom made, bought from a dressmaker specialising in Irish dancing costumes, or made at home by hand.
Unless you yourself are a skilled seamstress, the best choice is to purchase your Irish dancing costume from a dressmaker. If custom ordering your dress, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is to be sure to call and order the dance costume early. Dressmakers are very busy and only have a limited amount of time and slots for orders so call with plenty of time so they can accommodate your request. When exactly you should call and order depends largely on how elaborate the solo dress is. Usually six months is a good time to order the dress. Some ornate fabrics, styles or elaborate decoration may need a longer period so you’ll want to leave time for that as well.
While there aren't many choices when it comes to picking styles, it’s important to provide your dressmaker with a list of proper measurements. To get an accurate measurement, ask someone to help, it is almost impossible to take accurate measurements yourself. Do not take your measurements over your clothing but rather, measure over your undergarments that you will be wearing with your dress. Measurements should be snug but not tight. Tying a string at the waist will also help to give you a reference point.
A beautiful Irish dancing costume is critical to solo dancing and competition. Of course, a dancer is judged by her skill, grace and mastery of technique, however, a gorgeous solo dance costume enhances the experience for dancers, spectators and judges alike. The Irish dance costume is part of a dancer’s presentation and should not be treated lightly. Even if your costume is fairly plain, it can still be elegant and that will form the impression the judges and audience will have of you.
Solo dresses are very expensive due to the fabric, the time it takes to design and create, and the time it may take to coordinate colors, accessories, etc. A beautiful custom made Irish dance costume can cost upwards of USD$2,000 or more, so you’ll need to shop around. Ask your Irish dancing school for recommendations. Keep in mind that this costume will last through several competitions, so the expense will be worth it, especially when you bring home the awards.
For more information on Irish step dancing costumes and Irish step dancing, visit Trinity Irish Dance Company at http://www.trinityirishdancecompany.org
Source: www.isnare.com