Depending on who you ask, the tightly wound big hair of the female Irish folk dancers came from a cultural longing. Irish lasses with delicately curled hair abound in Irish lore. Curly hair is also reminiscent of a time when young Irish ladies dressed in their Sunday best with curls to attend religious services. Another functional reason is big curly hair balances out the big stiff dresses the girls wear and accentuates their dance moves.
yes they do wear that stuff mabey not in your school. But if you go to the world champtionships or a compatition you will see that they DO wear the dresses and the wigs. Mabey your school is more proformance then compatition? Who knows! Both are fun! irish dancing is irish dancing no matter what you wear!
At my dance school we all wear wigs except for the 5/6 year olds, and we all wear school dresses. Solo dresses are earned by moving up in competition. all students in pc or champ have solo dresses, beginners do not.
just because your particular school doesnt dress like this doesnt mean she doesnt know what shes talking about! MOST girls nowadays have a fancy dress and a wig. MOST but not all. go to an oireachtas, almost all of the girls will have wigs and sparkley dresses! no one is saying what was is the best, but the girl in the video was showing what she does. calm doowwn!
At my daughters school, beginners wear a skirt (in school colors) with a white polo, they can wear their hair curled or in bun style, once they advance they wear the school dress, when they reach novice they get their solo dress, which the teachers have to approve. Wigs or buns are worn, you can curl your own hair, but wigs are much easier. Our rule is no makeup or fake tan under a novice level(or age under 10-12 depending on level.) and no toe walks under the age of 12-13, no matter what your
in North American Championships, both the wig and traditional solo dress is worn. The school's dress is not as decorated but are also worn. When soloing you are not allowed to wear the school dress or even wear your school colors. The elaborate dress is for catching the judges eye and sticking out in their memory, since there is so many dancers and a short time to dance. It won't save you if your dancing sucks though, lol.
Strange though, when NAFC competes in Ireland all this is still worn.
i dance in ireland and we dont wear dresses we wear skirts and a white polo shirt. We dont have to curl our hair or wear a wig it just has to look nice. I dont get why the americans do with all the shiny dresses wigs and fake tan it doen't affect your dancing.
@EllieNiCathail I suggest you check out the movie "JIg" the Irish Dance documentary. It shows dancers from all over the world and when they go to Worlds they wear the wigs, make-up and fancy dresses. It all depends on where you are and what your into. I have dear friends in Ireland and have danced with them there at the University of Limerick "Irish World Academy" and all of them "from all over Ireland" including my friend from Wales and Scotland wear the fancy dress, wig,etc to compete in.
@kardancer1 I've seen it. I tend to agree with that brian guy the fake tan is ridiculus. It's meant to test your dancing skills not your looks. If you watch it back you'll see what I mean.
yes those dresses are old style, but shes right about solo dresses, and wigs! wigs are esential in irish dancing, but then it depends what commision your in? so hypermusicthing.... your wrong, not her?
I agree with Hypermusic. I'm Irish in my late 30s. I danced in the 70s and 80s in Ireland. And we never had wigs. It 's about the dancing. I managed to get to Championship level. and there was no way my mam cud afford a dress that expensive. I had a solo costume with traditional Irish celtic design. Today it's lost itslef too much bling and non- Irish patterns on the dresses. But that's just my opinion. Thanks.
When I was little" like 7" we had pretty basic school dresses "no glitter." Some people curled there hair, other didn't for performances. I remeber my mom putting those darn spike spongy curlers in my hair "my hair was already curly, but not as curly or uniform. Then all of the sudden they got crazy sparkly " I could never afford one of those sparkly dresses I wanted on so bad, I don't see why, they look so glitzy crazy". Now it's more some traditional, and more "sexy show like for older girls"
Im from Ireland. We don't cover ourselves in makeup and tan unlike them Americans! Its horrible, to be honest Americans put glitter and sparkles and colours into dreses! And its just carried on. Traditional dresses are not those! Im an irish dancer, to watch this - Makes me sick!
@ExtraordinaryxEmilyx Why do you have a video up that says the dancers tan, get a wig and wear fancy dresses with colours? Kinda weird considering your response here. I was hoping to find an example of a traditional Irish dress there...
Wow... No offense, but those dresses were not at ALL what was in style as of 2008. And personally, taking down my curls was never a problem. :D They just fell out after awhile. And most dancers of all ages are wearing wigs, even as of 2 years ago. Research, Mojo, research.
um, no they're not, americans have this thing about ireland and drinking and drugs, we're not half as bad as america so please, don't talk about what you don't know about - it saves people from having to tell you you're wrong
OMG!!!!! When I did dance it was soo confusing to keep up with the new "trends" First it was curled hair and velvet dressed then it was small wigs with any fabric dresses still with celtic designs then it was the giant wigs which hurt sooooo bad and the shiny crap all over it and now its back to simple!
I used to compete at the prelim level, and no you don't have to wear wigs. Whenever I chose not to wear mine, I was always the only one in the entire place not competing with ringlets. It was nice to stand out a bit.
well acually today judges prefer the wig and the up to date good lokin dress...trust me wear ur hair normal for a feis and c how u do then wear it in a wig and compare ur scores......ull do way better with the wig...just some tips from a championship irish dancer:D
yeah...i'm from ireland and have been dancing for years. nobody really wears wigs anymore! They're awful! letting your hair flow naturally behind you while you dance is much nicer than fake hair bobbing up and down while you dance.
im an irish dancing in northern ireland and we don't wear all those silly horrible looking shiny dresses we just wear school ones and we don't wear wigs or curl our hair either!!!
@HyperMusicThing .... Oh, thank goodness. I was just trying to look up the history of how 'Irish Traditional Dance' became like this over here in America. The dresses are outlandish and the girls all look like cookie cutter imitations of each other with the bad wigs and such. I wish they would actually research the beautiful country and traditions they are trying to imitate...
@Lassielurv i'm not sure what the commission is sorry, but that soundslike one from Ireland. I dance in northern Ireland, but have danced down south and it does sound familiar.
@HyperMusicThing There are three commissions that I know of, and they're for the WHOLE WORLD.The An Comusuin is the oldest,and most of the dance schools and adjudicators for feis's make dressing in wigs and solo dresses a requirement.Another commission is Cobalt,and they focus less on the glitz and intricate steps and more on tradition.Probably the commission you belong to. There's CRN, but they aren't that good,ask your teacher which one you're in. These dancers are for An Comusuin, probably.
@HyperMusicThing Here in American most people wear school jumpers or solo dresses, and nearly everyone in feisanna DO wear wigs, and some curl their hair. I suppose it's more fabulous here in America?
@HyperMusicThing I understand this so I looked it up. From Donegal myself so was so confused as to the many things Americans do with Irish dance. Read below. Keep dancing
Depending on who you ask, the tightly wound big hair of the female Irish folk dancers came from a cultural longing. Irish lasses with delicately curled hair abound in Irish lore. Curly hair is also reminiscent of a time when young Irish ladies dressed in their Sunday best with curls to attend religious services. Another functional reason is big curly hair balances out the big stiff dresses the girls wear and accentuates their dance moves.
Donegallass72 1 month ago
@HyperMusicThing
yes they do wear that stuff mabey not in your school. But if you go to the world champtionships or a compatition you will see that they DO wear the dresses and the wigs. Mabey your school is more proformance then compatition? Who knows! Both are fun! irish dancing is irish dancing no matter what you wear!
BalletFreak1122 7 months ago
At my dance school we all wear wigs except for the 5/6 year olds, and we all wear school dresses. Solo dresses are earned by moving up in competition. all students in pc or champ have solo dresses, beginners do not.
IrishFlyingSquirrel 7 months ago
its not very very possible to see a wig in a dance competition. i dance in wales and NO ONE wears one !
AshlieBbe12 7 months ago
haha im sorry but tem wee girls in make up an wigs reminded me of big fat gypsy weddings lol
Regina7ist 7 months ago
Sorry competers
IrishDancerColm 8 months ago
"And most computers today will have wigs, except the young dancers."
And the boys!!!!! Good grief!
IrishDancerColm 8 months ago 2
just because your particular school doesnt dress like this doesnt mean she doesnt know what shes talking about! MOST girls nowadays have a fancy dress and a wig. MOST but not all. go to an oireachtas, almost all of the girls will have wigs and sparkley dresses! no one is saying what was is the best, but the girl in the video was showing what she does. calm doowwn!
spatt234 9 months ago 2
im irish and i live in ireland an do irish dancing and i dont think shes wrong :) xz
CiaraJune11 9 months ago 2
In N.Ireland we wear wigs from the age of 6, and get solo dresses around 6/7 depending on your skill. No fake tan until 11.
helen42049 9 months ago
At my daughters school, beginners wear a skirt (in school colors) with a white polo, they can wear their hair curled or in bun style, once they advance they wear the school dress, when they reach novice they get their solo dress, which the teachers have to approve. Wigs or buns are worn, you can curl your own hair, but wigs are much easier. Our rule is no makeup or fake tan under a novice level(or age under 10-12 depending on level.) and no toe walks under the age of 12-13, no matter what your
kimmierose05 10 months ago
it's traditional to dress like that. plus it's cool!
thare510 1 year ago
Sorry, but these dresses are just tacky and the wigs are awful! Why would somebody dress up like that?!
fiffybelle 1 year ago
in North American Championships, both the wig and traditional solo dress is worn. The school's dress is not as decorated but are also worn. When soloing you are not allowed to wear the school dress or even wear your school colors. The elaborate dress is for catching the judges eye and sticking out in their memory, since there is so many dancers and a short time to dance. It won't save you if your dancing sucks though, lol.
Strange though, when NAFC competes in Ireland all this is still worn.
shutterbug24 1 year ago
i dance in ireland and we dont wear dresses we wear skirts and a white polo shirt. We dont have to curl our hair or wear a wig it just has to look nice. I dont get why the americans do with all the shiny dresses wigs and fake tan it doen't affect your dancing.
EllieNiCathail 1 year ago
@EllieNiCathail I suggest you check out the movie "JIg" the Irish Dance documentary. It shows dancers from all over the world and when they go to Worlds they wear the wigs, make-up and fancy dresses. It all depends on where you are and what your into. I have dear friends in Ireland and have danced with them there at the University of Limerick "Irish World Academy" and all of them "from all over Ireland" including my friend from Wales and Scotland wear the fancy dress, wig,etc to compete in.
kardancer1 3 months ago
@kardancer1 I've seen it. I tend to agree with that brian guy the fake tan is ridiculus. It's meant to test your dancing skills not your looks. If you watch it back you'll see what I mean.
EllieNiCathail 3 months ago
yes those dresses are old style, but shes right about solo dresses, and wigs! wigs are esential in irish dancing, but then it depends what commision your in? so hypermusicthing.... your wrong, not her?
amyxxbabixx111 1 year ago
those dresses are really old style
MultiSmiiile 1 year ago
I agree with Hypermusic. I'm Irish in my late 30s. I danced in the 70s and 80s in Ireland. And we never had wigs. It 's about the dancing. I managed to get to Championship level. and there was no way my mam cud afford a dress that expensive. I had a solo costume with traditional Irish celtic design. Today it's lost itslef too much bling and non- Irish patterns on the dresses. But that's just my opinion. Thanks.
denig2000 1 year ago 2
When I was little" like 7" we had pretty basic school dresses "no glitter." Some people curled there hair, other didn't for performances. I remeber my mom putting those darn spike spongy curlers in my hair "my hair was already curly, but not as curly or uniform. Then all of the sudden they got crazy sparkly " I could never afford one of those sparkly dresses I wanted on so bad, I don't see why, they look so glitzy crazy". Now it's more some traditional, and more "sexy show like for older girls"
kardancer1 1 year ago
she isn't an expert, she's just trying to give a little help. Just give her a break!!! you don't have to listen to her!
SummerMorland 1 year ago
Im from Ireland. We don't cover ourselves in makeup and tan unlike them Americans! Its horrible, to be honest Americans put glitter and sparkles and colours into dreses! And its just carried on. Traditional dresses are not those! Im an irish dancer, to watch this - Makes me sick!
ExtraordinaryxEmilyx 2 years ago
@ExtraordinaryxEmilyx Why do you have a video up that says the dancers tan, get a wig and wear fancy dresses with colours? Kinda weird considering your response here. I was hoping to find an example of a traditional Irish dress there...
UFMD1 1 year ago
@UFMD1 I don't have a video up of a tan irish dance. It's in my favourites as the audio is a song a dance to. So what the fuck are you talking about?
ExtraordinaryxEmilyx 1 year ago
@ExtraordinaryxEmilyx lol, watch the video,it's very clear, but never mind. Was just curious, no need to be upset.
UFMD1 1 year ago
Wow... No offense, but those dresses were not at ALL what was in style as of 2008. And personally, taking down my curls was never a problem. :D They just fell out after awhile. And most dancers of all ages are wearing wigs, even as of 2 years ago. Research, Mojo, research.
reelburke 2 years ago
she doesn't know SH**! DONT LISTEN TO HER PEOPLE!
MrDanceobssesesme 2 years ago 23
what the hell? im irish and i have straight black hair. and i am not a bitch you moron.
TrueColours044 2 years ago
Wigs cost about 60 to 100 dollars, not 100 to 200!
Tocinyshyn 2 years ago 4
Dancers 12 and under wear makeup all the time! Especially when they are Champions. It really depends on what feis you are at.
Tocinyshyn 2 years ago 4
um, no they're not, americans have this thing about ireland and drinking and drugs, we're not half as bad as america so please, don't talk about what you don't know about - it saves people from having to tell you you're wrong
fritesandmayo 2 years ago 3
dresses have changed so much in like a single year,
either that or those dresses are really outdated..
eviemetz 2 years ago 4
OMG!!!!! When I did dance it was soo confusing to keep up with the new "trends" First it was curled hair and velvet dressed then it was small wigs with any fabric dresses still with celtic designs then it was the giant wigs which hurt sooooo bad and the shiny crap all over it and now its back to simple!
TheAbBashow 2 years ago
no 10 is no makeup or tanner and 12 is no on toes
TheAbBashow 2 years ago
those wigs look so fake the minute you lay your eyes on them.
there horrible
PurpleIsFunky 2 years ago
um actually they look reallllly good, they are supposed to look fake. u obviosly don't know irish dance...
liztheirishdancer12 2 years ago
its culture & tradition get used to it
Supersaiiyin 2 years ago 3
i tink yhur alloud wer make up jst not dat mch!!!
hahahahaha
niamhisainmdom 2 years ago
all t3 dresses re not vrii nice nd in C.R.N. yhu dnt have 2 wer wigs !! re make up or fake tan
!!!!!!
niamhisainmdom 2 years ago
yeah i'm C.R.N too. i don't think your even allowed make up!
LadyAoife 2 years ago
the rule is any dancers under the age of 12 cannot were make-up. over that age and your ok to
MyMarioForever 2 years ago 2
I used to compete at the prelim level, and no you don't have to wear wigs. Whenever I chose not to wear mine, I was always the only one in the entire place not competing with ringlets. It was nice to stand out a bit.
HiImSkeebs 2 years ago
...or you could type in english...
Angelfish821 2 years ago
well acually today judges prefer the wig and the up to date good lokin dress...trust me wear ur hair normal for a feis and c how u do then wear it in a wig and compare ur scores......ull do way better with the wig...just some tips from a championship irish dancer:D
twilight496 2 years ago
yeah...i'm from ireland and have been dancing for years. nobody really wears wigs anymore! They're awful! letting your hair flow naturally behind you while you dance is much nicer than fake hair bobbing up and down while you dance.
LadyAoife 2 years ago
Really? cause here in U.S. nooooooooooo one whears their hair "natural" we ALL wear wigs and people from worlds that r from Ireland wear wigs
irishdancer157 2 years ago
yup really. my dance teacher has basically banned them at this stage. wigs were worn a good bit when i started but not so much anymore.
LadyAoife 2 years ago
Shop around when you buy your wig...mine was only $65 plus shipping.
celticmaiden20 3 years ago
it's so weird how much the dresses have changed in just a couple of years!
now they are wayyyyy different! lol
treblemaker55 3 years ago 2
I love my dress and my wig as well...(:
can't imagine 2 perform at a feis in shorts and tshirt...d be like a bit weired!!
xDancingHannahx 3 years ago
hmm... well i'm actually thinking of taking lessons in irish dance.
bubblygal26 3 years ago
this need to be shown to soooo many people i know...
Wigs did save my life also, but I wear two.. by the end of a competition my head feels like a millions pounds!
rincegirl 3 years ago
im an irish dancing in northern ireland and we don't wear all those silly horrible looking shiny dresses we just wear school ones and we don't wear wigs or curl our hair either!!!
HyperMusicThing 3 years ago 16
GOOD ON YA!
Bookwormclodee 3 years ago
@HyperMusicThing .... Oh, thank goodness. I was just trying to look up the history of how 'Irish Traditional Dance' became like this over here in America. The dresses are outlandish and the girls all look like cookie cutter imitations of each other with the bad wigs and such. I wish they would actually research the beautiful country and traditions they are trying to imitate...
Fionnuala1969 1 year ago
@HyperMusicThing
Do you dance for An comusuin? or a different commission?
Lassielurv 1 year ago
@Lassielurv i'm not sure what the commission is sorry, but that soundslike one from Ireland. I dance in northern Ireland, but have danced down south and it does sound familiar.
HyperMusicThing 1 year ago
@HyperMusicThing There are three commissions that I know of, and they're for the WHOLE WORLD.The An Comusuin is the oldest,and most of the dance schools and adjudicators for feis's make dressing in wigs and solo dresses a requirement.Another commission is Cobalt,and they focus less on the glitz and intricate steps and more on tradition.Probably the commission you belong to. There's CRN, but they aren't that good,ask your teacher which one you're in. These dancers are for An Comusuin, probably.
Lassielurv 1 year ago
@HyperMusicThing As an addition to the other comment, I dance in Ireland, and we dress like this too. :)
So I really think it has to do with which organization you dance under in regards to dance style and costume. But I think any form is legit. <3
Good luck dancing! :)
Lassielurv 1 year ago
@HyperMusicThing Here in American most people wear school jumpers or solo dresses, and nearly everyone in feisanna DO wear wigs, and some curl their hair. I suppose it's more fabulous here in America?
OravenclawgirlO 10 months ago
@HyperMusicThing Where I teach we dont wear dresses just white polo shirts and blue skirts its much cheaper and it looks just as good
EllieNiCathail 3 months ago
@HyperMusicThing I understand this so I looked it up. From Donegal myself so was so confused as to the many things Americans do with Irish dance. Read below. Keep dancing
Donegallass72 1 month ago
I really can't stand those dresses and wigs. And I've heard from so many other people that they don't like them either.
ghillieelf 3 years ago 2
im 4rom ireland !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA !!!!
LauraMiley 3 years ago
me too =)
IrishDancerfly 2 years ago
what, are teacher is supposed to approve our solo?? pfft
I LOVE WIGS!!! my wig has basically saved my life!
FeisGirl 3 years ago
the wig is so helpful
it took me like a whole day to curl my hair cuz i have really long hair
maplewoodbaby 3 years ago
My dress came from ireland and 400 for duty...
LOL
my dress is 3400
I love my wig too!!
candancer21 3 years ago
yes!! thank you!!
Oireachtaness 3 years ago