Leotards make a great base for a highly effective dance costume as they’re formfitting and allow both the teacher and audience to see the placement of the dancer’s body. They’re available in many different styles such as tank, camisole, cap sleeve, long sleeve, polo neck, frilled and skirted.
Tank leotards are the most basic of all leotards as they consist of a simple sleeveless tank-style torso. Camisole leotards are similar to tank leotards but they have thinner shoulder straps which allow for more intricate designs such as a double strap, criss-cross back, lattice back or rib back. Cap sleeve leotards have short sleeves, and are similar to long sleeved leotards in that they can have several variations in design such as an open back or ruche.
Leotards offer huge potential when it comes to colour and range of materials. Leotards are mostly available in either Nylon Lycra, which has a slight shine or Cotton Lycra which has a matt finish. Other fabrics used for leotards include velour, glistening, hologram and various printed fabrics. Velour has the rich appearance and feel of velvet, whereas glistening and hologram fabrics have a light reflective quality to create a glittery or sparkly effect. Leotards made from printed fabrics are available in prints ranging from tiger or zebra through to harlequin and rainbow.
One of the areas of greatest exploration is the use of colour as this has a direct impact on the audience’s emotions. Nylon Lycra and Cotton Lycra are available in a wide variety of colours which means that even the most basic of leotards can be used to either contrast or harmonise with the themes explored by the dance. Certain colours can be used to express certain emotions such as red to express anger or green for envy. Colour can also be used to portray temperature as colours similar to violet to create a cold feeling whereas orange evokes a feeling of warmth.
Dance Gear Direct are experts in providing dance wear with over 30 years experience. For more information about our extensive range of adult's leotards and children's leotards available in over 80 fabrics, colours and styles please visit our website http://www.dancegeardirect.co.uk/.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
How to get the perfect fit for your ballet shoes
How to find the right size
Remember to bear in mind whether you're buying your ballet shoes for practice or an exam. If you're buying for practice, the teacher probably won't mind a little bit of growing room. However, if you're buying for an exam, the examiner will want to see the full expression of your foot so make sure your shoe fits well.
When standing in first position with one foot pointed, there should be enough room for a good pinch at the back of the pointed foot. There should also be enough space to move around the toes rather than them being forced into the front of the shoe. If you're not sure which size to go for, we suggest going for the slightly bigger size rather than going for a pair that are slightly too small.
Remember to bear in mind whether you're buying your ballet shoes for practice or an exam. If you're buying for practice, the teacher probably won't mind a little bit of growing room. However, if you're buying for an exam, the examiner will want to see the full expression of your foot so make sure your shoe fits well.
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Should I go for leather, canvas or satin?
This is really down to personal preference or the requirements of dancing school uniform. Leather ballet shoes are slightly more expensive but they’re generally more durable and harder wearing than canvas or satin shoes. Some dancers feel that leather ballet shoes help accentuate the pointed foot and appear more elegant whereas others prefer the feel of canvas or satin.
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This is really down to personal preference or the requirements of dancing school uniform. Leather ballet shoes are slightly more expensive but they’re generally more durable and harder wearing than canvas or satin shoes. Some dancers feel that leather ballet shoes help accentuate the pointed foot and appear more elegant whereas others prefer the feel of canvas or satin.
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Full Sole or Split Sole?
Children or students new to ballet usually start with a full sole as it offers more support to the foot. When the dancer becomes more experienced they may find that they prefer split sole ballet shoes. This is because split sole shoes allow the foot to create a stronger pointe, as the sole is split between the heel and toe. However, choice of shoe rarely makes any difference to dancing ability.
Children or students new to ballet usually start with a full sole as it offers more support to the foot. When the dancer becomes more experienced they may find that they prefer split sole ballet shoes. This is because split sole shoes allow the foot to create a stronger pointe, as the sole is split between the heel and toe. However, choice of shoe rarely makes any difference to dancing ability.-
How to sew on your elastic
Elastics are purposely left off the shoe when purchased so the dancer can sew them on in exactly the right place. Here's how to do it:
Elastics are purposely left off the shoe when purchased so the dancer can sew them on in exactly the right place. Here's how to do it:
1. Fold down the heel of your ballet shoe flat against the lining and use a pencil to mark where the folded upper meets the binding.
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2. Stitch one side of elastic onto the sock lining and binding but be careful not to stitch through the drawstring or the ballet shoe upper.
2. Stitch one side of elastic onto the sock lining and binding but be careful not to stitch through the drawstring or the ballet shoe upper.
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3. Put on the ballet shoe and pull the elastic over the instep, place a pencil mark where the elastic meets the binding and stitch the elastic to the other side.
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Dance Gear Direct are experts in providing dance wear with over 30 years experience. For more information about our extensive range of ballet shoes please visit our website http://www.dancegeardirect.co.uk/
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