We all know the dreaded feeling when your solo dress becomes too tight on the top, too short on the bottom and you have an irreversible, mysterious stain on the arm that won’t come out — no matter how many TikTok cleaning hacks you have tried. That’s right: it’s time to buy a new solo dress.

It’s no secret that solo dresses — and all the other countless costs that quickly accumulate with an active Irish dancing hobby — are more expensive than ever, but don’t fret.

There is a lot of pressure to keep up with new trends but the reality is, it’s totally normal for the majority of dancers and their families to not be able to afford a brand new solo dress every year. Luckily there are lots of ways to still be part of the Irish dancing community without breaking the bank.

Whether this is the first time you’re buying a dress or you’re looking for ways to save on your next search, read our top tips to be frugally fantastic at your next feis.

Know what you’re looking for

You shouldn’t go food shopping when you’re hungry and you shouldn’t go dress shopping when you’re overwhelmed. The first step is getting a vision of what you want. Download Pinterest or scan Instagram and save any inspiration you see. 

Having a plan will help you from buying dresses that might be trendy now, but you won’t love in a year’s time. When you’re limited by budget (which, let’s be honest, most of us are!), you want to think about longevity.

So whether you’re looking for a silver rhinestoned corset or something with traditional embroidery, start envisioning what styles you like (and will continue to like) and go from there. It will help keep your search more focused and hopefully lead you to something you’ll love.

Scouting the web

There are plenty of websites and Instagram pages that you can use to find secondhand solo dresses, like Dance Again, Irish Dance Dress to Impress, and Rosa COS Resale.

Some allow you to sort the listings by size, making the search that little bit easier. 

Our top tip is to make sure that you’re on the lookout for a good while before you really need a new costume. That way, you can be sure you’ve found the right dress and make any alterations to it in good time. 

And don’t overlook options like Vinted and Gumtree, which are popular ways to buy secondhand when it comes to fashion generally. 

One of the best tips is to search not only ‘Irish dancing dress’ but also more generic things like ‘Embroidered dance dress’ or ‘Plain black waistcoat’. Keeping your search wide can ensure you don’t miss out on any bargains.

You can even filter through easily by putting in your size and if you’re looking for a specific designer like Eire Designs or Elite. 

Join all the Facebook groups

Facebook is more than just a place you dig out old feis pics. Joining Facebook groups means you can find solo dresses with a seriously discounted price tag. 

Our best suggestions are Irish Dance Dresses/Waistcoasts For Sale 2nd Hand, Buy & Sell Irish Dance Dresses & Dancewear and Irish Dancing Solo Dresses Gently Used Sale.

Depending on where you live, you can search for regional groups too, so you can save on any international shipping fees. Just make sure you allow push notifications to see when a listing is made when you’re accepted. 

I turn to Reddit for any Irish dance queries and the r/irishdance subreddit is full of savvy jiggers that always have an answer. People are always posting dresses that they are ready to get rid of, so keep an eye on the page and see if there are any swaps or sales going on near you to scout out your next purchase.

Bringing it back

If you have been on Instagram, TikTok or online at all, you’ve probably seen the “2026 is the new 2016” trend. 

Now I’m not exactly saying that you need to be rocking the exact same styles as you were 10 years ago, but I think there’s a good message here about considering old trends. 

Choosing a more unconventional or “outdated” solo dress won’t take away from your dancing, and if anything, I know I’m much more likely to hit every click knowing the dress I’m wearing didn’t cost an arm and leg. 

Dancing today comes with its pressures to spend a small fortune on a dress, but it hasn’t always been like this.

Traditional Irish dancing dresses can be more simplistic and cost effective — and you won’t have to compromise on having a beautiful dress. These designs are timeless and always look amazing on stage. 

Shop around

You don’t have to buy the first dress you’re quoted for and there’s absolutely no shame in asking for prices from a few different designers. 

This will give you a bit more of an understanding of what the price points are like and help you decide your budget. Shopping around will also teach you to keep a sharp eye out for any deals you may have missed otherwise. 

This can help you from impulse buying anything you see at first and potentially save you hundreds.

Light feet, crafty hands

If you’ve been dancing competitively for a while, you’ll know this sport requires a certain level of craftsmanship. Between learning how to style a wig and making sure your many layers of fake tan are even, there are many transferable creative skills you can use to be blingy on a budget.

So why not take it to the next level and start bedazzling your own dresses? You can buy rhinestone kits for as little as £9 on Amazon and potentially even cheaper if you can get to a fabric shop.

This way, you can potentially save hundreds of pounds on crystals from your dressmaker, and instead take on the task yourself. Reading up on the different types of crystals — and their respective shimmering effects — will also help you to choose the style that best fits your budget.

And, you can be sure your design is completely unique!  

Getting resourceful

If you aren’t too confident altering or creating your own dresses just yet, you can take an old dress to a tailor and pay them to make any changes. In our experience, those that specialise in wedding dresses have that careful eye required to work on something as complex as an Irish dancing dress.

You can even dig out old skater dresses or leotards that are collecting dust at the back of your wardrobe and give them a new lease of life by upcycling them.

Upcycling is a great way to take something you already own, and revamping it for a new purpose. It is sustainable for both the environment and your pocket. It’s also far more affordable and usually has a quicker turnaround if you’re in a pinch.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next project, there are loads of videos on TikTok under #upcycling. 

Ask around! 

There’s no harm in asking your teacher or other dancers in your network if they know anyone who is selling pre-loved dresses. A simple Instagram call-out and a few texts can go a long way.

Or, if you have similar measurements to anyone in your school, why not organise a dress swap? With different styling, the same dress can look brand new on someone else — and you’ll be saving a lot of time and money doing so. 

We should also add that many of us Irish dancers have grown up borrowing and lending our dresses when our friends find themselves in a bind or are in between costumes. It’s in the spirit of the sport to help out our classmates, so don’t be afraid to tap into your community.

The costs of being an Irish dancer can quickly add up so it’s important to know how you can save where you can. Following these tried and tested tips means you will be able to immerse yourself fully in the world of dance, without feeling the pressure to spend huge amounts. 

With these tips, you will be able to find your next solo dress without paying a small fortune.