This page has ALL of the costuming info for the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance:
Updated: 3/12/2026
This page has been reorganized under the following headings:
A. List of what to bring to a performance to wear
B. Items to purchase
C. Costuming Info for 2027 St. Pat’s for All Parade
A. List of what to bring to a performance to wear
Note: All dancers must have the correct costuming items and footwear: if you do not have a costume or dance shoes, or if are missing something, please let us know via email or text asap!
Dance Shoes
Irish dance shoes should be worn for all performances, EXCEPT no dance shoes worn in parades:
Parades: wear black sneakers, no Irish dance shoes: Cover any commercial logo’s with black tape.
Hair ties
Hair to be worn half-up, half-down!
Note we do NOT wear wigs for performances: Wigs can worn for competitions at your own discretion.
Costume
Beginner / Advanced Beginner Girls: white button-down long sleeve blouse w/ collar, burgundy skirt, undergarments, cape & headband, gold bow, white ankle-length socks
All other Girls / Ladies: Niall O’Leary School dress, undergarments, cape & headband, black tights or white ankle-length socks. Adult ladies: if you don’t have aNiall O’Leary School dress, wear a black dress or black skirt & top!
Beginner / Advanced Beginner Boys: white button-down long sleeve shirt, gold tie, black unbraided pants, black socks, black belt.
All other Boys / Men: black button-down long sleeve shirt, gold tie, black unbraided pants, black socks, black belt.
B. Items to purchase
Dance Shoes
If you need new softshoes or hardshoes, please send us an email with NEW DANCE SHOES in the subject line, with size and type of shoes needed and we will bring them to class!
Class Costumes
Cape & Headband Set: buy from Craggane Designs:
Adjustable Gold Bow: buy from Amazon:
White blouse: buy from Amazon:
Burgundy Skirt: make sure you select the correct color: buy from Amazon:
OR
Note: both links work, but one might have more sizing / color options than the other.
Black Tights: Important: everyone needs the same black tights, because of stage lights. Buy from Target:
Note: If your shoes feel loose while wearing tights then you can wear a pair of ankle socks (or two) underneath the tights to make the shoes fit more snug
Solo Costumes
Please enquire at class before considering purchasing a solo costume.
ALL solo costumes MUST be approved by our dancing school’s Costume Committee in advance i.e. prior to purchasing!
Wigs
If you wish to purchase a wig, it must conform to our NEW standard dancing school wig specification: send an email for details!
Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance T-shirts
Niall O’Leary School T-shirt, cost $20: available at class, but you must order in advance!
T-shirt to be worn with black everything else: You can order the T-shirt by email stating dancer name and size info: Parents are encouraged to purchase t-shirts for themselves as well!
C. Costuming Info for the 2027 St. Pat’s for All Parade, Sunnyside-Woodside:
This section applies to the 2027 St. Pat’s for All Parade ONLY. Full costumes on 3’17!
Everyone dancing needs to wear an official Niall O’Leary School T-shirt, any design, cost $25: available at class, but you must order in advance by sending us an email with size info!
T-shirt to be worn with black everything else: No costumes allowed!
Girls and Adult Ladies: black nylon tights, leggings or pants are recommended!
Boys and Adult Men: black unbraided pants, black socks
All: wear black sneakers, no Irish dance shoes! Cover any commercial logo’s on shoes with black tape!
For this Parade, you can wear any number of layers of clothing, at least two is recommended, but you must wear an official Niall O’Leary School T-shirt as your outermost layer!
Dancers should wear clothing under their outer layer if it is cold: in case of inclement weather dancers will be allowed to wear coats.
OR
Anyone who has the official Niall O’Leary School warm-ups should also wear them OVER your T-shirt, but you must leave the top open to show off the school T-shirt!
Any questions? Please email us!