A look at Irish dance costumes throughout the decades (PHOTOS)

Earlier this week, IrishCentral reported on the plea of a mother to An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (The Irish Dance Commission) to put an end to the practice of wearing curled wigs when competing in a feis or when performing on stage.

Many of our readers agreed with Jessica C. and her argument against such expensive beauty aids, adding that the practice of buying expensive costumes covered in bling and all decked out in bright, exotic colors should also be stopped.

READ MORE: Why Irish Dancing has lost its way and needs to change

It can’t be denied that over the past few decades the style seen at Irish dancing competitions has changed, for better or for worse. IrishCentral decided to look back on Irish dancing costumes through the years and see just how much they have changed.

READ MORE: 16-year-old defends Irish dance against shallow accusations

1927:

1928:

Grace McGinty from Cleveland represented the United States in a world junior Irish dance championship in August 1928.

1957:

Brigid Ellen Berney, 8, and Dennis Shanahan, also 8.

1960:

Standing: Mary Quinlan, 13; Maureen Cooney, 14; Sheila Murphy, 15.

Kneeling: Jacqueline Hennessy, 12.

1962:

Shelagh Comer, Maureen Cooney and Sheila Murphy : The Dancing Sheilas. 

Pictured here is the famous Belfast dancing teacher Anna McCoy before The McCoy Traditional Dance Group performed in Cleveland.

READ MORE: Extraordinary life of the woman who made Irish dance as we know it

1966:

From left to right, Eileen Banaghan of Lakewood, Seamus Mangan of Cleveland, Mary Agnes Kilbane of Parma, all five years old.

1971

Burke School of Irish Dance.

1980:

1998:

2015:

Which style of Irish dancing costume do you prefer? Should we return to the simple styles or do you like the pageantry created with the modern dresses?

H/T: Cleveland.com