CLRG Irish Dance Costume Rules as of 1st September 2010

Irish Dance Costume Rules now in place 
Following a review of the costume rules at its Annual General Meeting, held in May 2010, An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha wishes to update and inform its registered members worldwide of the current rules. It is important that teachers, adjudicators, parents and dressmakers are aware of, and work within, the updated regulations. They are outlined hereunder, with the effective date written alongside.

1. Skirt length: All costumes, both for solo and team dancers, must be no shorter than mid-thigh, in the back of the leg. Already in place.

2. Necklines must be at collarbone level or above. This does not preclude the use of alternative fabrics, e.g. lace, as an inset. Already in place.

3. Costumes must consist of full front, side and back sections. Cut away styles, without a full skirt backing, are not acceptable. Effective 1st January 2011.

4. Appropriate underwear, covering the midriff, must be worn. Where tights are worn, they must be of a denier of not less than 70. Effective immediately.
5. Dance Drama costumes must be in keeping with the theme of the story portrayed. Effective immediately.
6. Competitors in all age groups, up to but excluding Meangrad (Intermediate in Ireland and in the United Kingdom, Novice in North America), may only wear traditional class-costumes or long/short sleeved blouses/polo tops and skirts/tunics which conform to the regular costume length rules as above. Low-cut tops and short, tight skirts are not permitted. Effective 1st January 2011.

7. All forms of dance school identification, be it by sign, shape, colour-piece, logo, or symbol be banned from all solo costumes worn by any competitor in any competition. Effective from 1st January 2011.

8. Sleeves on Solo Costumes must start at the shoulder line and end at the cuff. Already in place.

9. The following rule was deleted from the Rule Book
Materials must be of an equivalent weight to that used in the more traditional costumes, i.e. dress-velvet, trevira, gabardine, wool-mix, etc.