An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha
Costume Rules as of 1st September
2010.
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.
It is important to note that An Coimisiun
has never issued guidelines to adjudicators to penalise competitors by
deducting marks, etc. for breaches of the costume regulations.
Monitoring:
Currently, members of the Costume Committee are assigned to specific
geographical areas and they are monitoring and noting breaches of the rules.
Details are available from the Commission Office. It is hoped to develop and
incorporate a “check-box” system into the adjudication sheets used at
feiseanna, to indicate non-compliance with these rules. In this way, the
relevant teacher will be notified and asked to comply. More details will follow
in due course.
Your
co-operation in this, as in all matters, is always appreciated.
Sean MacDonnchadha,
Cathaoirleach
an Choimisiuin le Rinci Gaelacha.
Mean Fomhair/September 2010