What gear do I need
Footwear
Highland dance needs ghillies which are a semi-historical hybrid between traditional Highland footwear and ballet slippers. In NZ technique, full pointe passages are used and the ghillies therefore should prioritize sturdiness and protection over fanciness and cunning disguising of the foot curving. We therefore advise the full leather protected model from MagicFeet, for durability and protection.
The Irish Step Dances require a very specific type of Jig Shoes. These are very different from mainstream Highland dance jig shoes. They are a brogue shoe fitted with a greenhide pad and small iron plates to the heels and toes sections. In Europe one can solely acquire a pair of these at Magic Feet: Magic Feet Website.
What else?
Gear for the class: A comfortable and freeing sportswear is advisable. The students should have a rubber stretching band, buy the hardest ones as they last longer. Proper footwear should be worn. For Sword dance a set of sword should be had, either two swords or one sword and scabbard. Practice sword are available on the market and they are quite good.
The Gear for exams or competition is of a varied nature with plenty of options to choose from. We will guide the student who would like to acquire proper vestments for each of these particular occasions with keeping in balance what’s legal to what’s affordable for each level.