What's a ballet dancer without a costume? Of course, everyone can recognize the dance, but imagine a ballerina being on stage doing all those pirouettes while wearing jeans and a T-shirt. It simply doesn't match. This is why dance performance costumes are crucial for every dance. A proper costume enhances the dance type, and the atmosphere of the show and help the dancer express themselves even better. If you're searching for a dance costume for yourself or your kid, and you're a first-time buyer, here are a few things to have in mind.
Why Are Dance Costumes Important?
Dance costumes in dance performances are as important as the skills of the dancers. They serve to improve the dancers' appearance and performance while obtaining the mood or theme of the dance. Costumes are instrumental in drawing attention and shaping the audience's perception of the dance. They can boost the excitement of a performance and contribute to the narrative or portrayed emotions.
Types of Dance Costumes
- Ballet Dance - In the realm of ballet dance, there are two primary styles of costumes: traditional and contemporary. Traditional ballet costumes typically consist of tutus, tights, and leotards, while contemporary ballet costumes may encompass a wider range of clothing items, including skirts, pants, and other attire. Dancers also wear various types of shoes during ballet performances, such as pointe shoes, slippers, and character shoes.
- Jazz Dance - Contemporary jazz dance costumes typically feature form-fitting tops and bottoms, along with dance belts and jazz shoes. You can choose from numerous types of costumes such as skirts, jackets, vests, and hats. It's important to ensure that the costume is comfortable for your kid and allows them to move freely.
- Tap Dance - T-shirts and pants or leggings are often the best choices for tap dance costumes. Dancers can wear a variety of dance shoes during tap dance performances, such as character shoes, Mary Janes, and loafers.
- Salsa or Ballroom - Salsa or ballroom dancers may choose to wear a dance dress or a dance shirt and pants. Dance shoes are also a crucial component of the costume, and there are various depending on the dance style. Women's dance shoes frequently have high heels and a pointed toe, while men's dance shoes often have a low heel and a square shape.
- Hip-Hop Dance - For hip-hop dance costumes, it's best to choose comfortable clothing that allows free movement. This dance often involves loose-fitting clothing like sweaters, crop tops, leg warmers, and dance pants. This dance allows for various dance shoes such as sneakers, boots, and dance clogs.
Dance Style
There are various styles of dance such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap and others styles, so choosing the right costume is essential. When choosing dance performance costumes, you need to consider several factors such as the type of dance your kid will perform is crucial, since different dance styles require different costumes. For instance, a tutu isn't the best choice for hip-hop dance, while a T-shirt and jeans aren't appropriate for ballet.
A good dancer can dance in any clothes, but the costume must always be appropriate for the dance style. If you need any form of inspiration, check out the latest trends in dance costumes. You'll come across futuristic peplum leotards, spangles, or edgy, strappy backs for jazz numbers. Thumbed monkey sleeves or decorated leggings are best for high-kick numbers, while romantic pieces, open-front skirts, or clean, modern leotards are best for contemporary dance performances.
Age
Age is another critical factor to consider when choosing a dance costume. Young children may require comfortable and easy-to-move-in outfits, while adult dancers can wear more elaborate costumes.
It all depends on what's appropriate for the dance style and age of the performers.
Purpose of Dance
The purpose of the dance is also important and will affect the costume choice. A dance performance with a romantic theme can't have the same costumes as a dance performance with a comedic theme.
Alternatively, if you are dancing a specific event such as a wedding, you will need to choose a costume that's suitable for that event.
Location
Another thing to have in mind is the location. Where will the dance take place? Is it going to be performed on a stage or in a more casual setting such as a party? The stage requires stage costumes. They're always more dramatic-looking. For instance, a stage ballet tutu will have some glitter, and sparkly embroidery so everyone in the audience can see and be mesmerized by it.
More casual settings don't demand stage costumes; your kid can wear a casual one such as a leotard and a skirt and tights.
Materials
Don't forget to consider the material of the costume. Some are made of delicate fabrics such as lace, tulle or silk. Others can be made of sturdy fabrics such as denim or cotton. Again, the dance style will determine the materials. You can't have a ballet tutu made of cotton or denim. It's an elegant dance that requires fragile-looking dresses made of soft fabrics, so they practically float around the dancer.
Hip-hop dance on the other hand allows for costumes made of denim or cotton, as the movements are more energetic.
