The first 'costume' you get after joining a school will be either a simple skirt/blouse or the school dress. Most beginners will start out with the school's beginner costume, which is typically a solid colored skirt with maybe a small amount of embroidery, a simple matching shawl which drapes across the back and secured with a Celtic pin, with a simple blouse. However, not all schools have matching beginner costumes, and you may have to put one together yourself. All you will need is a basic black skirt, gathered or pleated, that comes just above the dancer's kneecap, and a white blouse...if you can, get one with a basic peter pan collar. A beginner costume does not need to be at all fancy, though you can opt for some extras, such as shiny satin skirts with a sequined waistband. Beginner costumes are quite inexpensive, they can range from (total) $US50-$100. (Not including shoes.)
Older "beginner" dancers: Many schools allow the older girls to start out in the intermediate level costume, otherwise known as the school dress. Read below for more info.
Intermediate Level:The next dress you get as you advance a bit more is the school dress. These are the matching costumes worn often in team dances at feiseana and in shows, for the "team look". Every school is different so every costume varies, some are very simple and some are very elaborate (including applique/embroidery/rhinestones). The fabrics and amount of stiffening in the skirts all vary. School dresses usually have a cape on the back and sometimes a crochet collar...for tradition's sake. School dresses typically range from $US300-$550 each. Again, depends on the school and the materials used in the dress!
Advanced Level:
(Dress at right made by The Best Dressed, Ltd.)
As you progress to the next level (in the USA, to prizewinner/open solo level) you will need to buy a solo dress. (This is at your teacher's discretion). A solo dress is he fanciest costume any Irish dancer can wear. (It can, however, be simple, if such is your preference). The skirts are extra stiff to support all the heavy applique designs and embroidery, and can have either a split-panel or single "box panel" front. The current fabric and color trends call for silks/taffeta in bright colors, with sparkly, eye-catching applique and colorful embroidery in abstract designs, but there are no hard and fast rules. It is left up to the dancer or her teacher to come up with a unique look. They also can be made in silk, gabardine, linen, velvet...really, whatever you like! Velvet dresses are simpy gorgeous, but are not as popular as they were ten years ago, probably because they are terribly HOT to dance in!!
To have a dress custom-made, in the USA, costs on average $900-$1,600. Thankfully, if this estimate has made you see stars, you will be happy to know there's a huge "used dress" market, and you can buy one second-hand online or at any dance competition. You can also buy a new dress "off-the-rack" from a dressmaker who did not make it for anybody in particular, and thus has to charge less.
To view second-hand dresses online, check out Dance-Again.com or Dancing In Celtic to browse ads from different people.
You can find pre-made (new) dresses at the sites below.
Irish Dance Wear
Celtic Costumes
Irish Dancer's Catalogue
JoAnn's "Knot-For-Keeps"
Reel Irish Designs
Kellswear"
It's Knotwork To Me
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Currently the guidelines permit girls at any level to wear make-up in competition. The stage lights are very bright and unless enough make-up is worn the dancer may look washed out in contrast with her dress! 
