Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Choosing Ballet Dancewear That Is Proper

By Sherri Facer


Dancewear has changed significantly over the last few hundred years. The costumes originally used in ballet were much bulkier than they are now, placing greater restrictions on the dancer's movements. As there are more forms of dance now, as compared to 15th century ballet, there are also more forms of dancewear. Modern ballet skirts are often short and sleeveless providing the dancers with flexibility and an elegant look that is comfortable. Basic dancewear consists of leotards, tights, and shoes.

Leotards would be the most common form of dancewear worn in girls' ballet. The prime purpose of leotards would be to define the body lines of a physique while still maintaining a sense of comfort. Leotards have to be made from soft materials or else movement can be quite restricted. Nylon, cotton, spandex, lycra and velvet are among the most traditional used materials for making leotards. Some leotards also have lining in the bra which is intended to help with giving more support and comfort. You will find there are quite a number of styles of leotards available although camisole and tank would be what most studios prefer. Cap or long sleeves with turtle necks or polo necks are not uncommon either.

Tights are a standard item for ballet uniforms. Dancers usually wear a leotard with tights, so you will typically need several pairs of tights. This is especially true if a dancer is taking more than one class each week. Quality tights are readily available at your local dancewear shop and many websites that sell girls' dancewear. Your best shopping strategy is to ask the teacher, studio owner, or other parents wear they shop.

Most young dancers wear flat ballet shoes that are soft and comfortable. This is primarily because their feet are still growing and they are not yet able to dance on their toes, known in ballet as dancing en pointe. The footwear sections of websites that sell girls' dancewear routinely offer a wide selection of ballet flats. Many of these sites also have educational articles and pointer about buying shoes. Pointe shoes for beginners have a hard box that still allows flexibility in the three-quarter position. Make sure that you follow your child's instructor's advice on pointe shoes and get a second opinion. I've heard too many horror stories about bad shoes, bad technique, or going on pointe to early. Be informed. Common fabrics for ballet shoes include canvas, satin and leather. Canvas shoes are the most affordable and easiest to clean while leather shoes are the most durable. Satin shoes look more elegant and are typically reserved for performances. Beginning dancers also wear flats with elastic to provide additional support.

Your standard ballet costume will be comprised of tights, shoes and leotards, but there will be some classes that require certain uniforms and this is commonly required at strict skills. You might have to buy dancewear in some designs and colors for specific classes. If this is not the case, you might be best served buying sturdy dancewear that can handle strenuous dance lessons.

Ballet garments are easy to find on the Internet in both footed and footless styles, and are typically available in stretchable fabrics such as nylon, microfibre and polyamide. You can also find them in a range of colors such as black, beige, ivory, pink, pistachio, purple and tan. Some ballet classes prohibit bright colors, so check before buying dancewear in turquoise or pink.

You can get by with high-quality tights, leotards and soft ballet flats as long as you are just taking classes, especially at the beginning of your ballet studies. However, you will need to purchase additional items as you progress in your studies. You will also need to make additional purchases when you begin performing on stage, such as gloves, unitards and tutus.




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