Shoes

Traditional “soft” dancing shoes cost approximately $40.00 and can be purchased at local Irish Shops, over the Internet, at Irish festivals. A vendor list is available from the teachers. A simple ballet slipper is acceptable for beginners (approx. $12.99 at Payless !).

As a dancer develops coordination and timing he/she will need a second kind of shoe. “Hard” shoes range from $90.- $135. These are usually not needed until after the first or second year.

For information about ordering shoes, socks, and Irish music CDs / tapes, contact Tom Sheehan at tsheehan85@comcast.net

Costumes

Irish Dancing costumes feature ancient and modern colorful Celtic designs and each dance school has its own. Students of the Cara School can wear a beginner or an advanced class costume. The beginner costume is very similar to a parochial school uniform (with embroidered design on front panel) and should be worn with a white, long-sleeved, peter-pan-collared blouse underneath. The advanced dress has more extensive embroidery, a cape on the back, lace collar etc.

Please note that beginners who have not yet obtained a costume may wear a navy blue skirt with white blouse and white socks. Several shawls (coordinated to match the actual class costume) are available for wear with this outfit. Please request one if needed.

In addition to the dresses the typical girl will require:

• bloomers – usually the color of the lining of the skirt
• brooches for pinning the cape or shawl
• white “poodle”socks
• standard soft (girl’s) or hard Irish dance shoes (beginners have only soft-shoe dances)
• a headband in the school color or design is optional (but should match for team events). Headbands must be properly secured while dancing!!

The typical costume for boys consists of:

• shirt and tie long pants
• standard soft (boy’s) or hard Irish dance shoes (beginners have only soft shoe dances)

Solo Dresses

Dancers may choose, as they advance, to create their own “solo” dress. Designs, fabric, color etc. is unique to the desires of the wearer. These dresses can only be worn for solo competitions though. A class costume is still required for team events. Solo dresses range in expense, based on specific selections.

NOTE: Second-hand costumes and shoes are often available from students within the School who have outgrown theirs. A list of “used” items is distributed periodically.   To find used dresses online, visit FeisDresses.com.  Contact seamstress Marie Farrelly for more information about having a costume made: MFARRE8034@aol.com.