Nina Smith
The dancewear or the costume that a dancer wears during a dance performance has a tremendous impact on the attitude and performance of the dance.
In fact, the role of the costume is so significant that in the absence of the right costume, the dance form loses its essential identity.
A ballroom dance will lose its true identity without a ballroom gown. Likewise, any Latin American dance would lose its meaning without the right pair of stilettos.
If you are a dancer, you already know the value of the right costume. So never compromise on your performance and get the right outfit from Dancewear Leotard.
10 Essential Costume-Related Tips That A Performer Must Keep In Mind
The outfit, the jewelry, and the makeup all work together to uplift a dancer’s performance. So as a performer, you must dress up in a manner that preserves the true identity of the dance form.
1. Research About The Authentic Outfit For A Dance Form
Most professional dancers pay a lot of attention to maintaining the authenticity of the costume. But most beginners miss minor details that may affect the final performance.
Many people know what a ballet outfit looks like. But they do not know what a ballet outfit is called. A traditional ballet outfit is known as Tutu. A Tutu looks like a skirt and has four to five nylon frills. So if you are performing a ballet number for the very first time, spend a little time researching the authentic costume for the specific art form that you are going to perform.
2. Avoid Anything That Has A Sharp Edge
Any jewelry or accessories like belts with sharp edges must be avoided. Sharp edges can be a source of injury for both the dancer and their partner (when dancing in pairs).
3. Go For Well Fitted Clothes Instead Of Baggy Ones
It is true that loosely fitted clothes are more comfortable in everyday life. But when it comes to a dance performance, the better the fit, the higher the comfort. A loose sleeve that is constantly falling over your shoulder not only irritates you but also takes away from the elegance of the performance.
Also, it is better to fit a dress above the waist to be comfortable during bends and turns.
4. A Flowy Skirt Need Not Be Made Out Of A Flimsy Material
For most Latin American dance forms, the female performer’s dress or skirt must flow. However, most people mistakenly believe that the flimsier the material of the skirt, the better the flow. On the contrary, flimsy clothes are really uncomfortable.
Typically chiffon, silk, and polyester are used to make flowy clothes. But it is best to undertake several trials to decide which material flows beautifully and provides the utmost comfort.
5. Pay Attention To The Shoes
Many dance forms depend on the right footwork; for these dances wearing the right shoe is crucial. Most partner dance forms have a leader and a follower.
The heels of the follower are usually higher than that of the leader. If the follower wears a three-inch heel, the leader should wear no more than one-and-a-half-inch heels.
6. Wear Light And Breathable Costumes
If you are going to perform on a hot day or night, it makes sense to wear light, breathable clothes. It is always advisable to carry extra clothes in case you become sweaty.
However, even if you are performing during the winter, it is better to carry an extra set of clothes.
The above-mentioned points are to guide you to the list of things that you should do on the day of the performance.
However, it is equally important to maintain your costume all through the year. After all, if you are going to become a professional, you will need to wear a single costume multiple times. So, the right care and maintenance become critical.
7. Do Wash Your Costume
Most people feel that the fabric of the costume will get ruined if they are washed. However, not laundering your dress can be a disaster. Every time you dance, you sweat, and the perspiration can accelerate the fabric to deteriorate.
Moreover, any perfume or makeup that falls on the dress can also leave chemical residue that affects the fabric. And finally, a dress that has not been sent to the laundry will start stinking because of the perspiration.
So if you do not want your dance partner to run away from your next show, do send the clothes to a laundry.
8. Dry Cleaning Need Not Be A Good Option
It might be intuitive to think that dry cleaning is the best option for cleaning dance outfits. Dry cleaning does not use water to clean. Instead, it uses certain chemicals. Some of the chemicals used in dry cleaning may do more harm than water.
So if you want to wash your outfit, do not send it to the dry cleaner. Instead, check if there is a milder way to clean it.
9. Spot Clean The Trouble Areas
Spot cleaning means washing dirty spots instead of the whole outfit. Spot cleaning is required if you have spilt something on your dress. The dirty spot will require harsher treatment than the rest of the dress. So instead of subjecting the entire dress to a harsh cycle of treatment, spot-clean the trouble areas instead.
10. Try To Protect The Color
Nobody likes a faded costume. So you should try to protect the color while washing. One way to preserve the color is to wash clothes after turning them inside out and not drying them under direct sunlight.
Conclusion
The outfit worn by dancers makes a lot of difference to the final performance. Hence it makes sense to wear the right type and fit of clothes. Apart from the clothes, a dancer must also pay due attention to the shoes and accessories.
It is also essential to maintain the clothes. Milder washing techniques and smart methods like spot cleaning can preserve the outfit for a long time.
