Similar to other tights, dance tights are skin-tight leg coverings that are worn by the performers from waist to feet. Also similar to other tights, dance tights are sized according to height and weight. Sizes vary among manufacturers so always refer to the size chart (typically on the reverse of the package).
Dance tights materials:
Dance tights are made of different materials including nylon, lycra, and cotton, but the ones made with a blend of cotton and lycra are the most durable, opaque and thick. These tights are stretchable and comfortable for the dancers to wear. Cotton-lycra dance tights have flat finishes and absorb perspiration. Dance tights of nylon-lycra are a moderately shiny and stretchable tight.
Types of dance tights include:
Footed (also known as full foot) tights cover the entire foot, like pantyhose and dress tights.
Footless tights have no foot at all, like stretch pants they usually stop around the area of the ankle. Typically designed for Modern Dance, and Gymnastics. They are made of the same fabric as footed tights, so they keep muscles warm and stretch well.
Stirrup tights have a band of material that holds the tights in place over the arch of the foot, leaving the toes and ball of the foot uncovered.
Convertible tights (also known as transition or adaptatoe) have a hole in the foot under the arch. This allows them to be rolled up over the foot to the mid calf or ankle, to function as a footless tight, or stretched to cover the foot to serve as a footed tight. (Two tights in one!)
Helpful hint for putting on tights:
Tights are meant to cling to the legs, so getting them on without a snag from a fingernail is sometimes tricky. Instead of pulling the tights all the way up from your toes, try bunching up each leg of the tights accordian-style in your hands before slipping in your foot. Then carefully unroll the tights onto your legs.
Care of dance tights:
“Keep your tights clean!” But, tights need to get dirty. With proper execution of steps, the working foot touches the supporting leg from arch to knee. There should be dirt lines on the inside of ankles and knees, lines from inside arch to ankle to inside knee.
You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for washing dance tights. As a rule, always hand wash tights and allow the tights to hang dry/drip dry.
If a small snag or run appears in the tights, apply a small amount of clear nail polish around the edges to prevent further tearing. This should allow you to slightly extend the life of the tights.
(Part of our "Studio of the Month" series - June 2010)
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