Solo Costumes

A dancer's first solo costume is a huge milestone. In order to achieve this goal your dancer has put in countless hours of practice and dedication. In it's own way, the solo costume symbolizes all that hard work. 

There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a solo costume and many decisions that need to be made along the way. It is important that the teachers at Dunleavy, the dancer, and their parents are all working together in this process. Costumes may not be purchased or worn without approval from the teachers at Dunleavy.

Choosing a solo costume is an exciting part of being an Irish dancer! It's an opportunity to stand out as a soloist and it can add to a dancer's style and aesthetic. At the end of the day when all the lessons and practice are over, the costume is the one thing you can add to give your performance a boost. In the same way, a sloppy or poorly-fitting costume also has the potential to take away from the performance. It's important to choose a costume that is going to enhance your style, rather than detract from it.

Color

The color of an Irish dance costume is one of the first things we notice. Selecting the right color is much more involved than just choosing your favorite color. Instead we should be asking questions like; 

• what color is going to make me stand out on stage
• what color goes best with my skin tones
• what color wig would best accentuate and amplify the dress 

Movement

Irish dance costumes are incredible works of art. Just like the composition of a painting effects the way your eye moves across the canvas, the designs on a solo costume can have the same effect. We can use this to our advantage when selecting a solo costume.

Symbol

Irish dance costumes always reminded me of stained glass windows because they can tell a story through their symbols. It used to be very common to have symbols taken right from the Book of Kells on the costumes. There are a lot of symbols that you might not even be aware of! Here are some of the common ones: 

• Tara broach- a traditional style pin
• Claddaugh- life, loyalty, and friendship
• Birds- the messengers of God
• The Salmon of Knowledge- from the legend of Finn MacCool
• Crest- could be a family name, a county, or a providence
• Crown or Globe- symbolizes this dancer won the World Championships

Style

Styles change in Irish dancing as quickly as runway fashion. There are some fads that come and go quickly, while there are other elements that are more classic. Keeping up on Irish dance trends is fun and exciting because you get to see new styles emerge. Looking at Irish dance dress designers on Instagram is the best place to view the most current dresses because they post pictures daily. Looking at designer's Facebook or websites can also be helpful, but Instagram will have the most current styes.

Here are the top designer's Instagram that are worth checking out:

• connorosullivandesigns
• elitedancedesigns
• _celticstar
• elevation_design
• risingstardesigns

Used Costumes

Purchasing a used costume can be a great alternative to getting one direct from the designer, however I would still encourage you to look at the top designer's Instagram to familiarize yourself with what is current and in-style. When you are up-to-date on what is in-style you will have a much easier time finding that gem on the used websites and dance racks. 

Cost
Used costumes can be less expensive than designing a custom dress, however there are a few things you want to keep in mind that might increase the cost. 

• Shipping
• Sometimes there is an additional customs fee 
• Money transfer fees
• Currency exchange rate 
• Tailoring costs
• Crown and kick-pants (if not included)
• Tie (if not included)
• Replacement of missing crystals

Prices of costumes are typically negotiated, it never hurts to ask!

Purchasing a Used Costume

Questions for the Seller
Here are some questions that might be helpful to ask when purchasing a used costume.

• What are the original measurements 
• What are the current measurements
• Is there room for let-out
• Can you send pictures of the inside seams
• Has the costume ever been tailored
• How many dancers have owned it
• Was it in a smoke free/ pet free home
• When was the costume made
• Who is the designer
• Does it come with kick-pants/ crown/ tie
• Does it come with extra crystals
• What is the name of the crystal/ thread colors
• When is it available ​

Window Shopping

If you're in Prizewinner, it's time to start trying on costumes! Window shopping can be really helpful before you purchase a costume. Its a great opportunity to try on different colors and styles- you might be pleasantly surprised with what you discover! Take pictures of every costume you try on so that you can look back on it for reference. Weather you are having a custom costume designed or you are purchasing a used costume, you might not have the luxury of trying it on before you purchase. Having those pictures to look back at can be really helpful! 

Fit

The fit of the costume is so important. You could have a beautiful dress, but unless it fits the dancer perfectly it can be a distraction when they start dancing. You want it to look like the dancer is wearing the dress, not the other way around. Before you buy a costume get as many measurements from the seller as you can. A Dunleavy instructor can measure your child to make sure the measurements will work. 

Fortunately we can tailor the costumes to get a custom fit, however there are some things you want to think about. Make sure you consult with an instructor before you take your dress or vest to the tailor so these situations can be avoided. 

Another thing to think about before taking a trip to the tailor is the value of the dress. Costumes have the highest value when they have never been tailored. For this reason, some people sell their costume as soon as their child grows and use the money from the sale to purchase a new costume rather than tailoring the original one. There are many other factors, but it is just something to consider. 

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