WOW!! this shows just how far irish dancing has come and changed since back then!

She's wearing a rah rah skirt - I love it! Notice all her dancing medals pinned on her dress? I had heard that this was a common practice.

The whip thing is kinda cool

In the 1890's, I bet that skirt length was totally shocking!

PWOver50, I was wondering about that whip thingie, too! Maybe she's a teacher and it's a "teaching aid." Not unusual for that era.

And KnotworkMollt, showing a kneecap like this must have been rather naughty, as I didn't think proper ladies of this era even showed their ankles. My teacher describes her ID feis costumes as being mid-calf even in the mid-40's to 50's in Scotland).

Her head-piece is kinda cool...

It sure would take less time to make that one spit curl in the middle of the forehead than the head full of ringlettes we had to make in the early 90s.

It looks like she is probably wearing a corset underneath. How did she breath? I know the dance was not as athletic then, but still, it had to require some exertion and therefore oxygen!

And clearly, velvet is always in style!

Gakkkk, velvet is bad enough without a corset underneath. We moan and groan about our stretch velvet dresses, but at least they do stretch.

I still want that hat, lol.

I like her shoes -- I wonder if they are her dance shoes or just regular shoes. The leather look very soft though, a bit like ballet boots.

I wish I could have seen her dance! If someone just invented a time-machine, we could have a Champions of Champions through the ages! Wouldn't that be awesome?

That white bit around her hips. I keep trying to figure out what that is. Could something she's tied around her hips to hike her skirt up? It doesn't look like an apron. Anybody have any ideas what we're seeing?

I think it might be a bit earlier than 1890, that little hat and the swag she has around the waist might be 1880's



Look at the lady standing, she has a similar swag below her bodice, I think that's what it is. This picture has a date of 1885.

Crap, how did I miss this one?! Sad. Did you buy it? Was it sold?

I'm with hummingbird; this doesn't look 1890s to me. It looks 1880s. The light-colored draped overskirt is definitely reminiscent of the bustle period.

And yes, she's wearing a corset—but I've worn one also all day, and as long as they're made custom for you, and you don't tight-lace (which most women DID NOT do), they're rather comfortable. And certainly help my posture!