Competition Costumes

Dancers who choose to compete in feiseanna will need to dress in appropriate attire.  Boys should wear black dress pants with belt, black knee-high socks, and a dress shirt with a red tie (white shirt for beginners, black shirt for other levels).  Male champion-level dancers should wear a solo costume that Maureen has approved.

The Teelin guidelines female dancers are listed below.  (Do you have a dress that you've outgrown?  Try posting it for sale on the Dresses for Sale page!)

TEELIN SCHOOL DRESS

Teelin has a new school dress and we are still in the process of transitioning to this new dress.  See the Teelin School Dress page for more information, and send an email to have a dancer’s name put on the waiting list for a new Teelin School Dress.  This dress may be worn by any Teelin dancers competing in feiseanna through the Prizewinner Grade level, and for Figure Teams.

TEELIN ADVANCED BEGINNER DRESS

The Advanced Beginner Dress (also a new design) is an option for dancers competing in the Beginner Grade and Advanced Beginner Grade levels of competition.  See the Teelin Advanced Beginner Dress page for more information.  Dancers typically transition to the School Dress at the Novice Grade level.

The new Teelin Advanced Beginner Dress is also the recommended costume for Teelin dancers competing in Adult level competitions.

Beginner dancers who are new to competitions may choose to wear a black skirt and a white blouse (Peter Pan collar).  Please talk to your instructor, or send an email with any questions.

Important:  The skirt length of all Irish dance dresses should be at least 3 inches (preferably 4 inches) above the top of the knee cap.  If too long, it looks sloppy while dancing.

SOLO DRESSES

SCHOOL POLICY:  Teelin dancers must have ALL dances in Prizewinner Grade level before they are permitted to wear a solo dress in competition.  Also, any purchase of a solo dress must be discussed with and approved by Maureen.  Please do not purchase before showing the dress (or at least a picture of it) to Maureen.

There are many second-hand solo dresses on the market, and it is worth exploring what's available before committing to the sizeable expense of purchasing a new solo dress.  Irish dance solo dresses are works of art... and priced as such.  Shop the solo dresses for sale at feiseanna.  Also, here are a few links to sites listing second-hand solo dresses:

        Dance Again Pre-Loved Irish Dance Dresses

        Feisanne's Pre-Loved Dresses

        The Irish Dance Exchange

(Of course, don't forget to check the Teelin Used Dresses page to see if anyone within our own school has listed a solo dress for sale!)

Here are a few links to a few Irish dance solo dressmakers.  Please talk to other parents with experience for recommendations.  There are MANY options, this list is by no means exclusive.  (In fact, it's miniscule!)  These are simply a few names with which Teelin families have had experience.  As you learn of others, please contact the webmaster about adding other links...

        Feisdress patterns, designs and sales (in VA)

        Taoknitter Ann Donahue dressmaking (in VA)

        Best Dressed, Ltd designs, dressmaking and sales (in PA)

        Paul Keith designs, dressmaking and sales (in UK)

        Irish Threads patterns

Also, here are two message boards with many helpful tips regarding dressmaking:

        Dance Net Irish Dressmakers & Costumers

        Celtic Flame Irish Dance Costumer's Message Board