Common request: “I need a pair of tan tights?” Most common answer: “Which color tan – suntan, light tan, jazzy tan..?” Tan isn’t really just Tan anymore! As the genre of dance expands, so does the color spectrum of dance tights available.
Each manufacturer of dance tights has their own color palette – many do not match other companies (to obviously capitalize on sales). Therefore, each company has different tight swatches with their color palette. For example: BodyWrappers offers the following colors in the “tan family” ~ Jazzy Tan, Suntan and Toast. While Bloch offers the following colors in the same family ~ Light Tan and Tan. The same is true for pink – pink isn’t just pink. The two colors which are universal within the tight world are white and black.
When you are in the market for a specific color tight, be sure that the studio/teacher is specific as to which color tan or pink. We’d be happy to lend out our swatches to help studios/teachers decide which color they would prefer. We’re here to help you get the right color tight!
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - December 2010)
Mary Ann's Dance and More
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Pointe Shoes: How Long Should They Last?
We’ve received a lot of questions about the life span of pointe shoes and we thought we’d use our “Studio of the Month” flyer to help clear up some of the confusion.
How long should pointe shoes last? Unlike other dance shoes, pointe shoes are very unique in their fit and care. You can usually expect about 12-15 hours of wear from a pair of pointe shoes. To get the most out of that time, there are some things you can do:
Pointe shoes breakdown when they are wet, therefore:
1. use a mesh bag to carry your pointe shoes
2. remove toe pads immediately after use
3. store the pointe shoes and toe pads separately
4. set shoes out to air dry between classes – ideally for at least 24 hours
When should you replace your pointe shoes? There are several reasons:
1. foot growth
2. change in foot shape
3. technical development
4. worn-out
Because pointe shoes have to fit precisely, they are “out grown” much more quickly than street shoes. Wearing shoes that are too tight or no longer the right shape can damage the feet.
What are the signs that the pointe shoe is worn-out? There may be a lack of support in the toe box or platform and/or over-flexing in the shank. Appearance of the pointe shoe can be deceiving – the shoe may look new but structurally worn-out or it may appear dirty and worn but still functional. Dance teachers are usually the 1st to notice if the shoe is no longer functional – don’t hesitate to ask and don’t be surprised if the teacher makes that determination prior to your asking.
Many beginners, being on pointe for a short time each week, are able to wear shoes until they are outgrown and may need only a pair or two in their first year on pointe. However, many dancers – especially professionals – wear each pair only once! If your dancer is a more advanced student, you should be prepared for the expense of frequent shoe replacements.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - February 2011)
How long should pointe shoes last? Unlike other dance shoes, pointe shoes are very unique in their fit and care. You can usually expect about 12-15 hours of wear from a pair of pointe shoes. To get the most out of that time, there are some things you can do:
Pointe shoes breakdown when they are wet, therefore:
1. use a mesh bag to carry your pointe shoes
2. remove toe pads immediately after use
3. store the pointe shoes and toe pads separately
4. set shoes out to air dry between classes – ideally for at least 24 hours
When should you replace your pointe shoes? There are several reasons:
1. foot growth
2. change in foot shape
3. technical development
4. worn-out
Because pointe shoes have to fit precisely, they are “out grown” much more quickly than street shoes. Wearing shoes that are too tight or no longer the right shape can damage the feet.
What are the signs that the pointe shoe is worn-out? There may be a lack of support in the toe box or platform and/or over-flexing in the shank. Appearance of the pointe shoe can be deceiving – the shoe may look new but structurally worn-out or it may appear dirty and worn but still functional. Dance teachers are usually the 1st to notice if the shoe is no longer functional – don’t hesitate to ask and don’t be surprised if the teacher makes that determination prior to your asking.
Many beginners, being on pointe for a short time each week, are able to wear shoes until they are outgrown and may need only a pair or two in their first year on pointe. However, many dancers – especially professionals – wear each pair only once! If your dancer is a more advanced student, you should be prepared for the expense of frequent shoe replacements.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - February 2011)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
How Should I Care for my Dance Apparel?
Did you know that there are special care instructions for your dance apparel? You should always follow the care instructions on the garment label to help prolong the life of your apparel. Each apparel item has different care instructions based on its material. Following are just a few examples.
Care instructions on tights are typically: “Hand wash in lukewarm water, separately. Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Drip dry.” If you dry your tights, they will shrink!
Care instructions on a 90% cotton/10% Lycra leotard are typically: “Machine wash warm. Use non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low, remove while damp. Warm iron.”
Care instructions on a 90% Nylon/10%Lycra leotard are typically: “Machine wash cold. Gently cycle. Use no bleach. Wash colors separately. Line dry. Cool iron. Do not dry clean.”
Bottom line – be sure to read the labels carefully and that will help prolong the life of your dance apparel.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - January 2011)
Care instructions on tights are typically: “Hand wash in lukewarm water, separately. Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Drip dry.” If you dry your tights, they will shrink!
Care instructions on a 90% cotton/10% Lycra leotard are typically: “Machine wash warm. Use non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low, remove while damp. Warm iron.”
Care instructions on a 90% Nylon/10%Lycra leotard are typically: “Machine wash cold. Gently cycle. Use no bleach. Wash colors separately. Line dry. Cool iron. Do not dry clean.”
Bottom line – be sure to read the labels carefully and that will help prolong the life of your dance apparel.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - January 2011)
Friday, February 11, 2011
Tight Color Preference
A studio owner posed a question to us a while back – “What determines the color tight a student wears, teacher preference or student skin tone color?” What a great question! So we began researching the answer…
There are varying opinions on this subject. Although pink is the most popular color for dancewear, many of the color choices for tights are based on teacher preference. Some dance schools and instructors are very particular about what clothing items they require and therefore dictate the tight color. However, there are those dance schools and instructors without a preference so it is up to the student to choose a tight color.
We weren’t able to find a written “rule of thumb” but found some guidelines to consider when your studio or teacher isn’t specific about tight color. For example, in most jazz classes the most commonly accepted colors for tights are black or a natural skin tone like nude or suntan. But don’t go crazy, you do not want to attract too much attention to yourself. We also discovered that it is best to match the color of your tights to not only your style of dance but to the rest of your outfit.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - December 2010)
There are varying opinions on this subject. Although pink is the most popular color for dancewear, many of the color choices for tights are based on teacher preference. Some dance schools and instructors are very particular about what clothing items they require and therefore dictate the tight color. However, there are those dance schools and instructors without a preference so it is up to the student to choose a tight color.
We weren’t able to find a written “rule of thumb” but found some guidelines to consider when your studio or teacher isn’t specific about tight color. For example, in most jazz classes the most commonly accepted colors for tights are black or a natural skin tone like nude or suntan. But don’t go crazy, you do not want to attract too much attention to yourself. We also discovered that it is best to match the color of your tights to not only your style of dance but to the rest of your outfit.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - December 2010)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
What exactly is an “over under”?
What exactly is an “over under”? It’s a nude leotard or nude bra. Why would you need an “over under” or nude undergarment? Nude undergarments are a must under your costume or practice apparel. These garments:
* provide added coverage when worn under costumes
* greater privacy during changes backstage
* varied hook placements in back allow you to choose from several different strap positions to work with any costume (including straight back, crisscross and halter)
* many also come with both nude and clear, non-reflective adjustable straps
* offer the same flattering fit as our other leotards, in a thinner material that hugs the shape of the body without bags or wrinkles. Typically made from 83% nylon, 17% spandex.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - October 2010)
* provide added coverage when worn under costumes
* greater privacy during changes backstage
* varied hook placements in back allow you to choose from several different strap positions to work with any costume (including straight back, crisscross and halter)
* many also come with both nude and clear, non-reflective adjustable straps
* offer the same flattering fit as our other leotards, in a thinner material that hugs the shape of the body without bags or wrinkles. Typically made from 83% nylon, 17% spandex.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - October 2010)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Different Types of Leotards
You probably know that a leotard is a unisex skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs free. But did you know it was made famous by the French acrobatic performer Jules Léotard (1842–1870), about whom the song “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze” was written.
Leotards are worn by acrobats, gymnasts, dancers, figure skaters, athletes, thespians, and circus performers both as practice garments and performance costumes. They are often worn together with tights and sometime bike shorts.
Ballet leotards come in many different cuts. The three main variations are the sleeve length, the neckline, and the leg cut.
Sleeve Length
TANK leotard
CAMISOLE leotard (a.k.a. spaghetti straps)
SHORT SLEEVE leotard
THREE-QUARTER SLEEVE leotard
LONG SLEEVE leotard
Neckline
The traditional ballet leotard is with a ‘BOAT NECK’, a rounded, wide neck. Leotards have introduced SWEETHEART necklines by gathering the material in the center of the chest; not only is this option fashionable, but many leotards with this neckline are also fully lined, making a separate bra underneath the leotard unnecessary. Less common necklines are V-NECKS and MOCK TURTLENECKS. The HALTER top neckline is becoming more and more common.
Leg Cut
The traditional leotard leg cut is a quite low line on the hip. Most modern versions of the ballet leotard have a slightly higher leg line than the traditional version, but leotards are seldom ‘high cut’. High cut leg lines are more common in fitness leotards and bathing suits.
Tip for finding the right leotard: Be aware that your regular clothes size will differ from dancewear sizing. Many of the major dancewear companies have their own sizing charts and those charts will differ from style to style within the company. The best way to get the right fit is to try the leotard on. Do a few stretches with your arms raised, noting any gaps in material or slipping of shoulder straps. Squat down, as in a plié, and check for pinching or gaping around the legs. Try several styles to find the style that best fits your body.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - September 2010)
Leotards are worn by acrobats, gymnasts, dancers, figure skaters, athletes, thespians, and circus performers both as practice garments and performance costumes. They are often worn together with tights and sometime bike shorts.
Ballet leotards come in many different cuts. The three main variations are the sleeve length, the neckline, and the leg cut.
Sleeve Length
TANK leotard
CAMISOLE leotard (a.k.a. spaghetti straps)
SHORT SLEEVE leotard
THREE-QUARTER SLEEVE leotard
LONG SLEEVE leotard
Neckline
The traditional ballet leotard is with a ‘BOAT NECK’, a rounded, wide neck. Leotards have introduced SWEETHEART necklines by gathering the material in the center of the chest; not only is this option fashionable, but many leotards with this neckline are also fully lined, making a separate bra underneath the leotard unnecessary. Less common necklines are V-NECKS and MOCK TURTLENECKS. The HALTER top neckline is becoming more and more common.
Leg Cut
The traditional leotard leg cut is a quite low line on the hip. Most modern versions of the ballet leotard have a slightly higher leg line than the traditional version, but leotards are seldom ‘high cut’. High cut leg lines are more common in fitness leotards and bathing suits.
Tip for finding the right leotard: Be aware that your regular clothes size will differ from dancewear sizing. Many of the major dancewear companies have their own sizing charts and those charts will differ from style to style within the company. The best way to get the right fit is to try the leotard on. Do a few stretches with your arms raised, noting any gaps in material or slipping of shoulder straps. Squat down, as in a plié, and check for pinching or gaping around the legs. Try several styles to find the style that best fits your body.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - September 2010)
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