It’s better than Christmas. Fabulous dancing, amazing fashions, the best atmosphere – what more could a dancer want? There’s so much to talk about, but for today, I’ll keep it simple and to the point. Here are top trends from the first day of dancing!

Dress Designs

1. Celtic Arms

This is a really cool trend. The Celtic embroidery starts up the arms and then continues across the front of the dress. Several of these dresses feature a 3D effect. The embroidery across the front is actually layered on top of the dress rather than fully appliqued down. Very cool look! I love this one with a great pink skirt. This is another cool version with some serious pops of pink – it almost looks like lace.

2. Full Wrap Look

This is an extension of the wrap bodice look that came out last year. It’s a similar trend and wrap bodices are still very popular. This extends all the way down the dress, including a bit on the skirt. Here’s a nice one in purple (my bet’s on Siopa for this one – what do you think?). This is another take on the same style but split down the middle. Very dramatic.

3. Ornate Embroidered Bodices

This is one trend I’ve seen so far that I’m just loving. The entire top of the bodice is covered in ornate embroidery detail. There are a few ways I’ve seen it done. One way is with small embroidery that serves as almost a print. The other way is with big chunky Celtic knots that’s very artistic, like this one.

4. 3D Accents

There weren’t as many 3D accent dresses as I thought there would be on the first day, but there were still a good amount. However, Niamh Neale rocked a great version of one! This dress is a good example of a more subtle approach with the 3D occuring just at the belt. It’s also a great example of an embroidered bodice! I can’t tell if this dress is actually 3D, but it certainly has the effect. The crest in the middle is a nice touch.

Skirts

1. Skater skirts with Embroidery

While the skater skirt is still popular as a solid version, many designers are adding embroidery to the bottom of the dress to spice it up a little bit. This is a really nice version of the trend. Very cute color scheme for a little girl – perfect for Easter! This is another nice version with some applique.

2. Tulle

As predicted, the new tulle skirt is everywhere. I’d say a third of the new dresses I saw had the new tulle tutu skirt. This is a particularly nice version combining a bright yellow with an unexpected gold accent. I wouldn’t have picked them to go together, but it really works.

3. Updated Three Panel

Get ready! It might just be back! Here’s a dress in a three panel style, but not quite all the way there. I like it as a nice compromise and updated look. Gotta love some claddaghs (Is that the plural of Claddagh?!) as well. I’m obsessed with this version of that style as well. Talk about regal. AND THIS ONE. Excuse my lack of professional reporting there, but oh my goodness I’m in love with it. It looks like someone took a dress from the early 90s and gave it an upgrade. Brilliant.

Colors

1. Yellow

This trend emerged last season and is still going on strong. Bright yellow with black accents are all over the World’s stage this year. I like to think I started this trend way back in 2006… A girl can dream, right? I love this dress in particular – how great of a picture is that?

2. Hot Pink on the Younger Girls

Tons of girls in pink! I love this picture of two little girls in pink. Love that animal print bolero on the lovely little dancer on front.

3. Pops of Neon

Just like how neon under white lace has been popular in the real world, it’s popping up on several dresses in the Irish dance world this year! This is a cute one with bright yellow.

4. Layered Underskirts of Green and Pink

My preppy roots are all about this trend. There were several layered soft skirts that had a green layer underneath a solid color skirt (usually pink). It’s a nice touch that definitely grabs attention on stage. This dress is a perfect example.

Hair

1. Full wigs

I was surprised to see so many full wigs on the younger girls, but they all pulled it off in that very cute Shirley Temple way. These dancers show off a few versions of the full wigs that are popular right now.

2. Looser bun wigs

Bun wigs are still popular amongst the younger crowd but the newest ones are looser, more like an elegant updo. These two amazing little dancers rock them with style.

3. Natural side buns

For girls going with alternative hair styles, side buns were the way to go. I’m absolutely in love with this look, all of it, completely amazing. Kelly Hendry is out of control amazing.

What’s your favorite? Anything you’re loving?

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

So, for a bit of fun, here’s what I think we should keep a look out for over the next two weeks. I’ll keep tabs during the week to see how good my predictions were!

Dresses

1. Updated skirt styles.

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty 

The updated tutu is one of the only trends that I can almost guarentee that we will see at Worlds. The structured, light tulle look has been incorporated into dresses from almost every major designer over the past few months. It’s the new alternative to a more structured skirt style, replacing the loose layered tutu look which seems to be fading away. I think skater skirts and tennis panel type skirts are also going to be very popular and are not going anywhere anytime soon. They’re too classic of a look!

2. Unique sequin application

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty

Since sequins have made their return to Irish dance fashion, we’ve seen no end to designers’ creativity with sequin designs. Recent dresses have been continuing that theme with two-toned sequins, gradients and the use of other sequin-esque accents. Keep your eyes pealed for this year’s version of sequins!

3. Clear and bold designs

Elevation Design

The assymmetric dress is slowly disappearing and being replaced with a very structured look. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still not right side = left side. But almost all of the new designs are very structured and geometric with an overall design center in the middle of the dress. Think clear cut lines, bold accents, big rhinestone embellishments.

4. Collars

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty

Collars seem to be sticking around and even coming back with more a vengence recently! I love the updated manderin collar, so I’m all for it! Let’s see if this continues next week.

5. 3D accents and designs – cloak, bands

This is the biggest trend to emerge of the last few months. We’ve seen dresses with capes, dresses with 3D bands across the shoulders, and dresses with big 3D embellishments. I’m sure we’ll see more next week at Worlds but the question is really more in what form will we see them? I’m hoping to see the further exploration of the cape concept. I think it has great potential and I can’t wait to see where designer’s take it.

6. Initials/Personalisation

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty

So, we’ve outlawed globes and school symbols. Might as well cross into the last still legal identifier – names and family symbols. There have been several dresses in the past few months featuring personal designs. I love it, but we’ll see what the general public and CLRG think over the next year!

7. Continuation of the Regal Theme

Celtic Star

Embellishing a dress in regal colors or ornate accents is continuing this year so far. Let’s see if that trend continues next week or if we take a funkier turn.

7. Return of the three panel?

At the Oireachtas, there were a few modern three panel dresses. I haven’t seen many since, but I’m hoping to see a few pop out at Worlds! A girl can always dream…

Colors

1. Bright primary’s

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty

Keeping with the trends of the past year or so, bright colors continue to dominate the dress design scene. There are very few pastel dresses or mid-range color dresses. Everything is bright and bold. That said, because of the bright dominance, someone in a pastel color dress could really stand out so maybe we’ll see that! My hunch is that we’ll continue to see bright dresses, though.

2. Unusual combinations – Pops of Color

Celtic Star

Keeping with fashion trends from the general world right now, I think we’ll see a lot of color pops next week at Worlds. I think they’ll also be in combinations we wouldn’t expect – like an emerald with a copper base or this dress that combines gold accents with a bright yellow base. I can’t wait to see what the designers come up with!

3. Leopard Will Not Go Away

Eire Designs by Gavin Doherty

Of all the animal prints, leopard continues to stay strong over the cycles of Irish dance fashion. There have been a few updated leopard printed dresses in the past few months so I imagine we’ll see a few more next week. I’m hoping for a leopard printed bodice with red accents. Love that combination!

Hair

1. Shorter wigs

Looking around recently, I’ve seen some, shorter full, style wigs rather than the long loose curl wigs. It looks like with all the talk about other hair styles, many dancers are opting for a more classic Shirley Temple/Irish dancer look.

2. Unconventional looks – side wigs, sock buns, etc

Irish Times – All Scotlands

On the flip side, there have been plenty of updated hair styles over the past few months. I’m curious to see whether the classic look or the new looks will be more popular at Worlds. My guess is that it will be a combination of both. One of the best looks I’ve seen recently was a simple sock bun paired with a bit of a poofed front. Side wigs continue to pop up and are looking better than ever recently – more like a naturally pulled to the side curly ponytail. I have also seen several side styles done completely naturally that look great. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes out with! It’s definitely an exciting time for Irish dance hair!

What do you think? What are you most excited about for Worlds?

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

Never fear. Feisonista is here to help simplify your life and give you one less thing to worry about.

1. The “Radio Show to School to Nursing Home to Eileen Ivers” kind of a day:

It’s your typical Irish dancer’s St. Patrick’s Day. Running all over town from one show to the next while trying to go to class in between. For the Irish dancer who does everything, you need an outfit that’s easy and comfortable (when you’re 5 minutes late for a show you need a quick change!) but still looks put together. You never know who will be at the TV studio!

Black skinny jeans are easy to slide on and off. Pair it with a cami that you can wear under your dress and top it all off with an easy to remove (but extremely chic) sheer button down. If you’re de-wigging in between, keep it simple with a ponytail or try for a natural show look! Finish the look off with easy ballet flats or some boots. Bonus with the boots? You can keep your poodle socks on!

2. The off-duty dancer’s St. Patrick’s Day

So, you’ve done your dues and you’re off the St. Patrick’s Day show train. You’re off to enjoy the festivities, but chances are you’re still going to be dancing. Can you imagine hearing a reel around town and not joining in with an improptu step about? I thought so.

You want something relatively loose, definitely cute but not something that’s going to reveal more than you’d like.

Try this green dress on for size. The kelly green color screams St. Patrick’s Day. Keep it your killer treble reel PG by pairing it with black tights. Brown leather boots complete the outfit, will add some nice sound and will keep your feet comfortable all day long. Finish the look off with some St. Patrick’s Day accesories. Show off your Irish dance swag with some ghillie necklaces, your festive spirit with some shamrock earrings and you’re sweet style with a green bow for your hair. Bonus points? Curl your hair for a sublte nod to your Irish dancing roots.

3. The St. Patrick’s Day Gala

Going to a fancy gala for your local Irish Society this St. Patrick’s Day? I’m jealous. The key here is to remain festive while looking elegant. You want to avoid the costume jewelry that are normal derigeor for St. Patrick’s Day and stick to classic pieces.

Try this elegant green cocktail dress. Pair it with some claddagh earings and elegantly styled hair. Finish the look off by finding your pot of gold with these pair of gold shoes!

What are you planning on wearing this St. Patrick’s Day? Post your outfits! Enjoy celebrating the best holiday of the year!

Stay Fashionable, Feisers.

I grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It’s a small town on the border of New York - a perfect New England haven. Like Newtown, it’s the kind of place that’s almost a characture of quaint New England life. For example, one of the most successful businesses on our Main Street is a gourmet hot dog vendor named Chez Lenard. Close to New York, it’s a town of modest families with high aspirations. A town where downtown holiday strolls and football galas dominate the headlines this time of year.

Ridgefield is about 30 minutes from Newtown. That physical proximity would be enough to unnerve me when I heard the news from Sandy Hook Elementary. However, I was shook to my core Friday afternoon because Newtown is much more than just a neighboring town.  Newtown is where I fell in love with Irish dance.

Me at age 8 at one of my earliest recitals in my first Gray School dress. Not quite a Feisonista yet…

I grew up dancing with the Gray School of Irish Dance in Newtown, Connecticut. Like the community of Newtown, it’s a school forged on loving relationships and genuine concern for other dancers. It was a school where every dancer, whether naturally talented or only naturally passionate, was encouraged to work hard, follow her dreams and blossom into an Open Champion. It was a place where ceili and teamwork was just as important as nailing a set. In my treasured blue school dress, I danced with the dancing friends that would become family at weddings and stood besides them at funerals. It’s a school where dancing excellence is expected, but personal relationships are mandatory. It is the reason I love to dance today.

The spirit of the Gray School is a product of the community of Newtown. It makes hearing the news stories that much more upsetting – knowing what was so unfairly torn from this beautiful town. This is not what Newtown is.

Dancing with the Gray School at the Danbury Irish Festival

The unbelievable clash of what I remembered Newtown to be and what I was seeing on the news was manifest in seeing the President speak from the stage of Newtown High School. That stage is where I performed most of my recitals. I remember idolizing the older dancers from the wings of that stage. I remember the first time I was able to be in the champ dancer routine and smiling proudly on that stage. And now, that stage, a place of incredible joy, was the setting for a speech to console a grieving town,a grieving nation. And while those memories made the speech even harder to listen to, they also provided some consolation. It reminded me of the strength of the community – the community that raised me to dance on that stage. It reminded me of its love – the love that picked me up when I fell on that stage and encouraged me to keep dancing. It reminded me of its joy – the joy I felt dancing my heart out surrounded by dancers I know were dancing out theirs. That is the Newtown that I remember and that is the Newtown that will get through this tragedy.

For now, it is time to come together with heavy hearts to honor the 26 that were taken so unfairly from this community. Time to grieve the lost talents that will never get the chance to follow their dreams and those who lost their lives following theirs. The lost ballerinas, baseball players, doctors, mothers, teachers. However, in this time of sadness, I remember my wonderful memories in Newtown and look forward to the day when the stage at NHS is once again a place to celebrate dreams achieved rather than dreams lost. When a 6 year old is only notable because she finished her first recital without waving to her mom. When the only flashing lights are those of parents’ cameras.

Another young recital shot in Newtown. Apparently we stopped taking pictures of me dancing at the recital after age 9.

Until that time, I will take comfort in an old heavy jig – my feet drumming a story of love and friendship. Every step and bar of music bring me back to that studio and remind me of Newtown’s strength and endurance. No matter what, these old steps are real just like the love I know is so prevalent in this community.

So until we can once again join together and dance with joy, I will keeping dancing these old steps and I will dance them for Newtown.

We all know the traditional holiday colors. What if you’re not feeling it and want to stand out a bit this holiday season? The key is to keep things fun and keep the design interesting. I really like the one shouldered look that Gavin worked into this design. He kept things simple with just the pop of design to let the bold colors stand out. Looks like we could be seeing a new trend emerging! Is one shouldered the next bolero?

I love this dress as the perfect holiday party dress from Modcloth that is in very non-traditional colors. Taking inspiration from Gavin, it features a poppy color and one-shoulder design. It’s fun enough that it will fit in to any celebration, but you’ll stand out in a sea of red and green!

What do you think? Will you be rocking a non-traditional color this holiday season?

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

I love this dress because it exemplifies how to use sequins – in the Irish dance world and the real world. Keeping the sequins one classic color, the sequins add shimmer and dimension without taking over the look. Gavin also perfectly complemented the sequins with just a few key touches of design. My hunch is that it hadn’t finished it’s blinging at this picture, but I would think you would just add some key pops of sparkle to accent the sequins. However, if you’re going all out with sequins, you need to let the sequins steal the show.

As I’ve mentioned in my earlier posts, the holidays are the perfect time to break out the sequins in your outfits. There are some ways to rock them as accents, but now is the perfect time to take the plunge and rock a dress with sequins as the main feature. Like in Gavin’s dress, the key to pulling off sequins is to keep the rest of the outfit simple, with just key pops. Also, look for a more neutral or classic color like gold or silver rather than a bright pink.

This dress from ASOS lets the sparkles be the main feature by keeping the cut simple and limiting any other design. The sequins speak loudly enough – no need to crowd them! I also love the long sleeve style which makes it a little more tame – a nice contrast to the bold sequins. Bonus – you’ll be warmer while running to those Holiday parties!

What do you think? Planning to wear sequins this holiday season?

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

Today’s inspiring outfit is another blue dress, but is accented with gold. It’s one of my favorite color combinations for the winter and perfect for any holiday parties! Another amazing Celtic Star creation.

Like the dress yesterday, this dress shows off the beautiful pop of a nice royal blue. I love royal blue all the time, but particularly in the winter. The cool tones perfectly reflect the crisp December weather. It’s also a color that looks great on a wide range of skin tones.

Fit for royalty, gold perfectly compliments the rich, cool hue by adding warmth. This dress shows off how to use it to perfection – as a strategic accent. The small lining at the end of the bodice plays off the top bold applique at the top of the bodice. It’s all about proportions!

Another great part of this dress is the use of sequins throughout the skirt and the bodice. It’s done tastefully so it’s not overwhelming, but still adds shine and shimmer. The holidays are the one time when it is fully acceptable to shimmer and shine! If you’ve strayed away from sequins in the past, take some inspiration and try them out this holiday season.

Have some holiday parties coming up and don’t want to go the traditional festive route? Try a blue and gold dress! Perfectly wintery and dressy, but avoids the usual go tos. This dress from the Tutu Cute Boutique is one of my favorites and would be great for a holiday happy hour.

Happy 3rd night of Hanukkah! Anyone planning on rocking a blue and gold dress to parties this week?

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

Real life has had me all tied up, but Feisonista is back in action. In honor of the holiday season and to make up for lost time through the rest of the year, I will post an Irish dance outfit that you can take inspiration for all your holiday celebrations!

First up, in honor of the first night Hanukkah last night, this beautiful blue and white dress from Eire Designs.

If you didn’t know, blue and silver are the colors of Hanukkah, taking their inspiration from the colors of the Israeli flag.

I adore the rich royal blue color in the design of this dress. It adds a gorgeous pop to the white and the rhinestone’s silver. I love how Gavin took the bolero design and updated it. Instead of solid colors, the large knotwork design looks almost like a lace overlay ballet shrug. It’s a softer design than the traditional bolero approach and gives the dress a feminine feel. The large knotwork is also perfectly offset by the small knotwork on the dress’s bodice.

The dress also shows off the wide range of ways you can use rhinestones in a dress design. The small stones on the skirt add just a touch of bling to shine on stage while the small stones on the bodice take the place of applique in filling in the knotwork . The large teardrop stones form the central design point with the flower but also just add a nice pop of bling at the top bodice. And of course, this dress shows that you shouldn’t be afraid of color! The blue rhinestones add a pop of shine without taking away from the overall design. They just add a more subtle shimmer on stage.

As you’re going about your holiday festivities, take some inspriation from this dress and include a pop of color (bonus points for incorporating lace!) and various degrees of shimmer! Add some shiny chandelier earrings or a sequin miniskirt to your holiday outfits. Colored stone jewlery is very popular right now and is just perfect for the holiday season. This stone ring from Swag Philly is a perfect example of adding shine, color and not overwhelming the rest of out outfit – all things this dress does so well!

Stay tuned for another outfit to take inspiration from tomorrow! Until then…

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

Every dancer that I knew growing up dreamed of being on the cover of IDM. It meant you were a true star in the Irish dance world – you had made it. These girls and boys were the World Champions, the show legends, the inspirations behind long dance practices. Seeing them smile so effortlessly on the cover with a World sash strewn like it was no big deal always inspired me to push just a little bit harder.

In my own Irish dance career, I never made it to the cover but I was fortunate enough to have the chance to collaborate with IDM on a fashion spread – close enough for me! I had a ball working with the IDM editorial team and I’m absolutely thrilled with the final layout. The entire August issue is great – chock full of fashion tips for feisonistas of all types. I highly recommend ordering a back issue if you don’t subscribe – and subscribing for that matter! The Irish dance bloggers do a great job of covering the scene, but you can’t beat the excitement of getting a new IDM in the mail.

As a teaser for the full article, here’s the PDF of the first page! This officially marks my entrance to the Irish dance world with a real byline as well, so get excited to meet the real Feisonista!

Enjoy! Looking forward to working more with IDM in the future! There won’t be any more posts this week – I’m traveling this week to Argentina. However, I’ll have tons of inspired by posts when I get back! I’m sure I can find some inspiration in Tango dancing…

Stay Fashionable, Feisers.

I would say that boy’s fashions are going through a bit of a revolution right now. For years, the gents stayed by with a simple tie and pants look while the girls decked on the sequins and bold designs. However, in the last year in particular, the men’s fashion scene has exploded. Boy dancers now have the option of incorporating all the designs that girls utilize or keeping it simple. There really is something for everyone. A simple vest and tie will always be in fashion, but let’s take a look at some of the emerging trends.

1. Jackets on Seniors. One of the newest trends among the gents is the jacket. Call it a revival – a nod to the day of the kilts, with a lot more pizazz. My favorite jackets are the ones that keep it relatively simple – the jacket on the boy on the right in the BN picture below is a perfect example of how to combine embellishment with class. The jacket look is bold enough without adding a lot more to it.

British Nationals

However, there are so many options depending on your personal taste and a lot of guys are rocking multicolored jackets and jackets with bold asymmetric designs. Some of the options include military style (like the jacket below), colored blazers, color blocked jackets, double breasted and double pockets and my favorite – embroidered lapels. This Shamrock Stitchery jacket further below is a good example of how elaborate some of these jacket designs are.

Shamrock Stitchery

2. Jewel Tones on seniors. While black and brights are the traditional colors for the gents, the senior men in particular have been adopting a lot of jewel tones. They’ll either rock a jewel colored jacket or a black jacket with a popping jewel colored shirt. I think it’s a great look and a nice way to add color but keep things looking masculine. Navy blue is another popular way to rock a touch of color.

Elevation

3. Bold Celtic Knotwork Designs. Not leaving the knotwork to the girls, the boys are adopting bold Celtic knotwork designs. Because vests and jackets have less room, the knotwork designs stand out very prominently compared to the girls’ design. Designers have leveraged this contrast and placed knotwork prominently strewn across vests and jackets.

Shamrock Stitchery

North American Nationals

4. Fun accents. The boys are adding in fun accents just like the girls these days. My favorite are the boys rocking bow ties – very Southern prep! Check out the scarf effect and mandarin collar on these fashionable feisers at the North American Nationals below.

North American Nationals

5. Fun fabrics, rhinestone accents. Following the girls’ trends, boy designs are incorporating fun fabrics and rhinestone accents. Some vests are incorporating the larger crystals but they’re mostly smaller than the girls. The KDSF vest below is a great example of how rhinestones are typically being used on vests.

KDSF

6. Silver and gold on black. Also like the girls, the boys are flocking to silver and gold on black. They have been rocking a combination of embroidery, simple but bold symmetric applique (like the Elevation vest below) and bold asymmetric applique – anything goes!

Elevation

North American Nationals

7. Bright color accents. The other option if you’re not a silver and gold type guy is bright accents. This is a more traditional route for vest design, but the pops of color have been getting bold and bigger recently. If you’re not sure which trend to go with, this is a good, never fail, option.

Eire Designs

8. Simple embroidery down the middle on jacket look. This is my personal favorite trend for male dancers – simple embroidery down the middle of the jacket or vest that traces the edge. It’s the perfect combination of design to stand out on stage and classy, masculine styling. It’s another long-lasting, classic look.

Avoca Celtic Designs

10. Bold cross body asymmetric designs. Just like how girls are turning their dresses into living canvases, the boys are using their vests as wearable art. The dancer on the second from the right in the picture below from the British Nationals perfectly shows off the asymmetric trend in a masculine way. Check out the whole lot of fashionable lads in this picture! How many trends can you count?

British Nationals

11. Red is a popular jacket color. Taking a cue from the British redcoats, dancers have caught on to the powerful look of a strutured red jacket. Red is a power color and really pops on stage so its no wonder that red is a popular color for jackets. Combined with a structured, unique design, these jackets really make an impression. For example, this dancer rocked a red jacket at Nationals that combined the power of red with the strength of the military trend. Love it!

North American Nationals

12. Some large Celtic knotwork in middle. This is another design that’s a spin-off of girl’s designs. This wasn’t all over the place, but several vests featured large celtic knotwork designs (usually circular) placed prominently in the center. It almost gives a belt effect that works really nicely on vests.

13. More traditional vests in the younger age groups. Similiar to how there are more older style and classic style dresses in the younger years, there are generally more traditional vests with a touch of embroidery in the younger boy age groups. This dancer from the North American Nationals displays how a young dancer can look fashionable and tailored without committing to bold trends. It’s also simply adorable.

North American Nationals

Emerald Key

14. Cross over design. This last design has been popular for a few seasons and continues to go strong. It’s somewhat military, very bold and very structured. Styles have popped up in both vests and jackets so it’s very versatile depending on your taste. It looks great on stage as well, creating eye movement across the design. The black version is a great option for dancers that want to look trendy, but not overly flashy. I do love this white version though from Elevation!

Elevation

Those are the highlights right now! What male dancer trends do you love – let’s hear from our fashionable gents!

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!