Dancewear is far more than just a cool fashion statement. Many children get into dancing because they love the clothes. Many children’s parents put them in dancing because of the clothes. But, dancewear also affects the success of the dancer, both mechanically and artistically. Ill-fitting dancewear can restrict movement and rub blisters, interfering with progress on the dance floor.

Wardrobe

There are many parts of the wardrobe of a dancer. Each dancer needs well-fitted shoes, as well as tights and bodysuits. Girls will also wear skirts and tutus. All dancers wear fashion dancewear. Each of these items should fit well without binding or rubbing – a task easier stated than done.

Fashion Dancewear

The performance is often the pinnacle of any performance, and yet the dancer may actually suffer the most discomfort due to the fashion dancewear, or costume, required for the performance.

Elastic, for example, should be wide and of good quality, so that it does not dig into the skin. It needs to hold the garment in place without constricting the circulation.

Lace is another problem with fashion dancewear. Lace can be very scratchy and stiff, rubbing blisters that can interfere with the dancer’s concentration. While the professional may be able to overlook temporary discomfort, most children and many adolescents are not as tolerant of having a raw spot rubbed onto their skin.

Shoes

Each type of dance requires its own type of shoes. Whether you dance tap, ballroom, hip hop, or ballet, the shoes make all of the difference. Ill-fitting shoes will impede progress in lessons and practice, and can keep a performance for attaining its zenith. They can also cause structural problems with the feet, including bunions, corns, and calluses.

Sizing

Sizing dancewear is important to successful practice and performance. This can be particularly challenging with children. They may wear the same dancewear for a year, and suddenly hit a growth spurt that takes them through 2 or 3 entire dancewear wardrobes in as many months. With this in mind, it is important to maintain proper fit so that movement is not restricted. Many parents are tempted to buy dancewear that is one or two sizes too large, so that the child can grow into it. This may be ok with some accessories, but be careful not to put the child in dancewear that will literally fall off during practice. Many children spend more time pulling up their pants or hiking their straps than they spend actually practicing.

Accessories

Accessories are another important feature of dancewear that is often overlooked. This is especially true with budget conscious families that have trouble justifying purchase of items that will be used only once. Rest assured, however, that resale of these items is very popular, and you will probably be able to find them used and still in good shape. In fact, many dance studios have their own inventory of accessories, in order to spare their clients the added expense.

Dancewear should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable. Most of all, it should not cause damage to the dancer.