An Com is trying to pass a new rule for 2009: 18+ must wear tights

How do you feel about this? I like the looks of tights, but I also like Poodle socks. I hardly ever actually wear tights with my solo dress unless it's for a very cold parade.

I'd hate to have tights on for an outdoor feis in the summer! It's not like you can just throw them on before the competition, tights take time to put on...Plus the heat would be unbearable.

Not every solo dress matches black tights.

Shoes fit differently with tights than with poodle socks.

This just seems like a silly idea.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by IrishDancer14 on January 27, 2008 at 6:48am: I agree, please let everyone know that you can sign this petition in regards to the wearing of black tights.

I have just visited GoPetition and found the following page very interesting:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/irish-dance-against-new-black-t...

Regards IrishDancer14; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by anton coyle on April 11, 2008 at 2:57pm: Hi All,Does it really matter what a dancer wears as long as they are of smarrt appearance.Irish dancing never started with fancy wigs and very much over priced dresses and what about the make up.DANCING ABILITY IS WHAT SHOUD COUNT.The Commission should have better things to occupy their tiny little minds,why are they not promoting CEILI DANCING AS THEY SET OUT TO DO in conjunction with the Gaelic League and the G A A.This is an art of tradition which is now almost dead in Ireland,which is more important.A few people are getting very rich along the way exploiting those parents who have to fork out a lot of cash the cannot afford to keep their children up to others appearance.So it would seem a few are getting very very rich exploiting the many.I personally know a family with 5 girls who love to dance ,how much will it cost their Parents ,DOES THE COMMISION CARE? Let them concentrate on thhings that relly matter to FAMILIES,AND WHAT ABOUT THE CEILI DANCE,SOME OF THEIR TEACHERS ACTUALLY TEACH SETDANCING WHY NOT CEILI DANCING,NOW THAT IS A CHALLENGE FOR THEM AND PROVE ME TOTALLY WRONG. ANTON COYLE LONDON 020 72725815; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fi on April 19, 2008 at 2:10pm: I think the issue here is not about what dress a dancer should wear, more the fact that An Com are passing a rule which is direct discrimination on the grounds of age, and that the compulsory wearing of tights for adults puts them at an unfair disadvantage in comparison with dancers under this age, for numerous reasons. Many dancers feel it does affect their ability to dance. I think that it is a legal issue, since direct discrimination on the grounds of age is covered by European Law. This will never be an issue for male dancers, as the wearing of socks is exclusive to female dancers. I do think that if you have a valid point about promoting Ceilidh dancing, perhaps you should consider writing to them or a petition?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lorraine Hill on February 24, 2010 at 6:20pm: When I was younger, the only ones wearing poodle socks were little kids. Past the child stage, everyone wore tights. As an Adult dancer, (and you have to take into consideration that "adult" does not mean just 20 somethings. Some of us are double that age or more) think wearing poodle socks in competition or shows would look ridiculous. I had not heard that they were going to go back to proper dress for age.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawnee on January 27, 2008 at 6:52am: Wow that would be hard to make sure the dress looks right with the tights.
I don't compete but i would love to.. Hopefully when i get the chance i will be able to do it with poodle socks.. they look more traditional.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine Affenzeller on January 27, 2008 at 10:19pm: oh nooo, what an awful idea. I love wearing poodle socks. they r a lot more comfortable at a feis. I tried tights at my first feis, but they were so hot that I wore poodle socks from then on. I also wear them in classes. I like the look of them!! thats an absolute silly rule. I cant see the point in it?!?!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Magda on January 28, 2008 at 8:58pm: Regardless of this rule's being OK or not - where actually does it come from? There's a lot of noise about it, but I can't find it's source. Is it official by the Comission? Are there any syllabi for 2009 already? Did any member of CLRG say anything about it?

Myself, I don't really mind the possibility of enforcing this rule. I dance in tights - it was my teacher's suggestion to all his adult dancers, and neither of us objected. For me it's more natural - before I started competing, I had many gigs with my stage group, and we always wore black toghts. I'm accustomed to it, so I think I wouldn't feel comfortable in socks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia on January 31, 2008 at 3:00pm: As far as I know, adults in Mainland europe shall wear tights from a certain age on. I´ve danced and competed in both - tights and poodles - and I like both. Poodles look great on certain dresses and tights with other dresses.

I don`t see the point, why there has to be a rule for that? Where is an added value?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Angelika Berber on February 4, 2008 at 11:03am: I believe in Mainland Europe it is over 16.
Not a lot of people keep to it though. Cause it looks silly with a lot of dresses and feels horrid within your shoe. The tights make me feel like I cannot get a stable grip on the ground. I keep slipping and falling over...maybe it is just me but I hate the feeling of wearing tights. And I love poodle socks. But I am 25 so I guess my chances of escaping such rules are not very great, and in any case, my school keeps to the rules so my teacher asks us to wear black tights.
We need cool smilies on this webpage so I can stick my tongue out in defiance. :(; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cecile Greard on February 4, 2008 at 10:32pm: I've never heard of that rule you just mentioned and I've been competing in Mainland Europe for 4 years now. If it does exist, a lot of people don't respect it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia on February 5, 2008 at 7:57am: In Mainland europe you shall wear tights in over 35 - and I guess almost all dancers do. But I think, that rule is a pitty. I would definitely like to wear poodles, if it suits better to a dress.

Can anyone tell me, why there has to be such a rule? Where is the point? Some dancers wear nude tights and poodles, because they don`t like to dance with naked legs - okay, their choice, but why am I not allowed to wear poodles, if I have reached a certain age?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fi on February 5, 2008 at 8:31am: I totally agree. What is the intention of this idea? Poodle socks are much more comfortable and easy to dance in. I feel it may be a move to alienate adult dancers. I really dont see the point in it and I think the people at An Com need to get a life if all they have to do is sit around thinking of stupid new rules that are completely futile! It should be the decision of the dancer especially since dancing in socks affects some peoples performance :P; ▶ Reply to This