Irish Dance Shoes
Irish Dance Shoes are a major investment for all our dancers, and are the most important piece of "equipment" a dancer will have. Ghillies and Hard (Jig) Shoes will not make the dancer (that takes practice, practice and more practice), but shoes that are improperly fitted and uncomfortable will make a dancer miserable. If you are not sure if your shoes are fitting correctly, your instructor will be able to advise you.
Depending on brand, style and type, a new pair of Ghillies (or light shoes) will cost between $40 and $90. Hard shoes are even more expensive, running between $95 and $190, again depending on brand and style. Before you panic over the cost of shoes, we suggest to our new parents and dancers to wait a few weeks to determine whether your child wants to continue with Irish Dance before investing in the shoes. If your child does, then we have many used shoes available within the school for purchase. Used ghillies can run between $10 and $35 depending on how "well loved" they are, and how many previous dancers have worn them. Used hard shoes can run from $50 to $100, again depending on how used they are. $100 used shoes are usually those that were bought new, but did not fit right. The owners would rather sell them for a reduced price within the school than deal with returns to the vendor or online website.
Our local vendor for shoes is Irish Treasures. You can visit them at all the local feisanna, visit their shop in Mill Valley, or order shoes from them online at their website: www.irishtreasuresca.com. Periodically we will invite Irish Treasures over to the Studio for our parents' and dancers' convenience in purchasing shoes and other Irish Dance supplies.
Girls will wear ghillies and hard (jig) shoes. Boys will wear reel shoes, which are similar to jazz shoes, but with a heel for clicks, and hard (jig) shoes.
When a dancer is ready for performance and competition costumes, wigs and accessories, please refer to these pages in our MSID Families Section.
Depending on brand, style and type, a new pair of Ghillies (or light shoes) will cost between $40 and $90. Hard shoes are even more expensive, running between $95 and $190, again depending on brand and style. Before you panic over the cost of shoes, we suggest to our new parents and dancers to wait a few weeks to determine whether your child wants to continue with Irish Dance before investing in the shoes. If your child does, then we have many used shoes available within the school for purchase. Used ghillies can run between $10 and $35 depending on how "well loved" they are, and how many previous dancers have worn them. Used hard shoes can run from $50 to $100, again depending on how used they are. $100 used shoes are usually those that were bought new, but did not fit right. The owners would rather sell them for a reduced price within the school than deal with returns to the vendor or online website.
Our local vendor for shoes is Irish Treasures. You can visit them at all the local feisanna, visit their shop in Mill Valley, or order shoes from them online at their website: www.irishtreasuresca.com. Periodically we will invite Irish Treasures over to the Studio for our parents' and dancers' convenience in purchasing shoes and other Irish Dance supplies.
Girls will wear ghillies and hard (jig) shoes. Boys will wear reel shoes, which are similar to jazz shoes, but with a heel for clicks, and hard (jig) shoes.
When a dancer is ready for performance and competition costumes, wigs and accessories, please refer to these pages in our MSID Families Section.
