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 Aine The Dragon on April 29, 2008 at 11:52pm: The problem is, this tights thing has essentially categorized people who were once just considered Irish Dancers, as "adults" instead. Here in the states, we have age groups going up to a make of 21 & over, though often in local competitions the highest is 19&over, or 17&over, or 15 & over dpending on the level and # of competitors. In these groups, there is no distinction between the younger dancers and older dancers, and no distiction to separate the andovers from the other age groups. Its just another age group like the rest, same dances, same costumes, same poodle socks. The "adult" category is separate, and not really considered an age group, its like a special and sometimes remedial(in the attitude of the judges/organizers, not the ability of dancers) competition group.

Now we have certain age groups who are allowed to wear socks or tights (anyone under 17) and certain other age groups are only allowed to wear black tights (over 17) which were previously associated with the "adult" categories. I dont mind that judges think older dancers should wear tights, and in fact, if it were a suggestion, or if a judge commented that tights would look more mature/dignified, I would not be offended. What irritates me is that is is required, where before we had choices.

Ideally, we would be moving towards more fair treatment to older dancers, but this tights thing is a big backslide in that department. Its not that its such a bad thing to have to wear tights, its because the tights have been previously associated with adult dancers (those in the adult category, who are treated so poorly) and with older "andover" dancers who were less fit and a bit self-conscious about their thighs. Basically, its like we are all being given that same label, and the fear is that we will be treated more and more like the "adults".; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by maria on April 29, 2008 at 11:21am: At my young age of 32, if I was still dancing I would be pleased to be wearing tights, I would feel a bit self conscious without them :) who wants to see my corned beef legs!!!! I certainly don't.

Maria x; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aine The Dragon on April 29, 2008 at 11:56pm: At my young age of 25, I think my legs are pretty nice looking. And I cant think of a single 17-19 year old dancer I know whose legs are not good looking.

The previous "rule" or lack of one, allowed anyone who wanted to to wear tights, so you would still be able to wear them. The problem is, everyone has to wear them now (well, everyone over 17) no matter how their legs look.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by sarah harvey on April 29, 2008 at 11:52am: horrible idea should be a choice i dont like tights should be a choice, would look odd with my dress and my legs gets hot and itchy i hope this rule doesnt come in! leave it as a choice people wear what they prefer; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by anton coyle on April 29, 2008 at 8:47pm: Hi it is quite obvious that alot of people are upset by this ruling Perhaps it would serve everyone concerned if this idea was put to ageneral vote by all the dncers.It is about the Commission got its act together if it were not for the dancers there would be no need for the Commission; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia on April 30, 2008 at 9:08am: The commission is a teachers commision - not a dancers commission. The teachers give themselves rules how to act with each other and how to run competitions etc. - and what their dancers shall wear at comps. I think, it might be quite difficult, to let all dancers vote - but as someone mentioned before, they`ve asked dancers for their opinion.

If adult dancers are not treated the way, they should - why don`t start to change that? It would be easy for local feiseanna to offer higher age groups. As a kind of resumee for myself, I think, that the "problem with tights" is in fact the fear of being treated as "oh - it`s just an adult".; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Luv2jig on May 13, 2008 at 12:42am: No matter what, you're going to see bloomers because we kick high...they should enforce dress length instead of making us wear tights...they just look depressing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by adriana on May 19, 2008 at 10:00am: So. my TCRG thinks it is not a good idea to enforce the dancers to wear tights. Fortunately he does not stick to the rules, so in my school we are not planning to wear tights (or at least those who do not want to). I am going to wear socks even after Jan. 2009 and as long as I like it. I do not care about being disqulified for breaking the rules. Anyway if everyone who breaks the rules should be disqualified, I think half of the dancers would be out because of too short skirts, dresses,etc. As a 24years old person I feel independent enough to be able to decide what is modest and what is not.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Irena Kotikova a.k.a. The Rollergirl! on May 19, 2008 at 11:32am: It will be interesting to see what the adjudicators are going to do about it - if you and some other dancers stay in socks, how you place compared to everyone else in tights... As much as I dont like the rule I already bought new shoes that are smaller and fit better with tights and I plan to follow the rule. We will see... :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia on May 20, 2008 at 2:55pm: Strange enough - I got the best results at feiseanna, where I was wearing tights. I don`t know, wether thights itself made the difference (in respect of "ladylike" appearance or preferance of the adj.) . A friend of mine just told me, that I looked taller in thights than in socks (I`m quite small) and this might effect the overall appearance?!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Irena Kotikova a.k.a. The Rollergirl! on May 20, 2008 at 3:47pm: Well, but the fact that it works for you doesnt mean that it should be compulsory for everyone! You prefer tights, good for you, but if you like socks better, you should have a choice... thats the whole point of the argument! :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patricia on May 21, 2008 at 11:06am: Irena, I don`t prefer tights! I would prefer to dance in my poodles! I was always the one, who wondered, why many adults want to wear tights and who encouraged class mates to wear socks.
I was wondering for a long time, wether the tights made the difference at the feis or not - and to be honest, as neither dress nor tights/poodles should directly effect the marking, I tried to convince myself, that I "just" danced better. But as it happend for the second time (same steps/same practice, same dancers in the competition), I am just more confused.

The only thing, why I would go for a rule like that, would be, that - as a result - adult dancing would be taken more seriously and that adults would get equal rights (ie. speed limits etc.).; ▶ Reply to This