Costumes

There are various costumes that McDade-Cara dancers wear, based on skill level and age. Please ask a certified teacher in class which costume is appropriate for your dancer.  The information here will give you general guidelines and information, but you will need to consult the teacher before any costumes are purchased. 

PLEASE NOTE THE WORLDWIDE RULING THAT MAKE UP IS NOT ALLOWED FOR ANY DANCER YOUNGER THAN THE U11 AGE GROUP.

Beginner & Advanced Beginner Level Costuming

• Beginners & Advanced Beginner Girls ages 8 & younger wear our McDade-Cara School Jumper with a white blouse with a peter pan collar underneath- with bloomers underneath.
• Dancers wear soft shoes {ghillies} or hard shoes, which can be sized and purchased at any Feis or Online. Note: There are gently used shoes in the closet at school, you can browse the inventory. 
• They also wear white “poodle socks”
• Girls should wear their hair curled neatly when possible.
  • If wearing straight hair, it needs to be styled neatly and away from the face.

• The Novice girl dancer wears the McDade-Cara School dress.   They also wear poodle socks or black tights depending on the performance.
• The Novice & Up boy dancers wear black pants, black dress shirt, black school vest, black socks.

Prizewinner/Preliminary and Open Champs Costuming

• Dancers in the Open Championships, Preliminary Championships, and prizewinner categories may wear solo costumes that are different from their school costumes once approved by a teacher to purchase one. Girls wear bloomers and a headpiece that matches their dress colors and poodle socks.

Teams Costuming

• Girl team dancers ages 12 & younger wear our green/white short-sleeved dress
• Girl team dancers over age 12 wear a long-sleeved black/white dress
• Boy team dancers wear black pants, black long-sleeved dress shirt, black velvet school vest