Costumes are a significant part of any tradition and culture. From dances to stage performances, costumes speak volumes about the art form and the theme it aims to portray. Like most art forms, dance also has its custom dancewear. These costumes are the finishing touch for any performance. They not only help pull off the dance moves but also complement the movement. For example, a ballerina’s dance costume adds grace and a delicate charm to their moves. Every dance, be it hip-hop, jazz, freestyle or contemporary, has a designated costume. Each style comes with custom costumes from age-old folklore and traditional dances to new generation dance forms.
Contents
The Functions Of Dancewear
Any dance costume has to fulfil two criteria:
- Flexibility
- Aesthetic Appeal
The dance costume should feel like a second skin and not hinder the performance in any way. Even intricate and complex-layered dance costumes fulfil these purposes. While they may add weight, their design is fluid enough to help the dancer achieve the different poses and moves.
Today, with the blending of genres, several new dance styles are a mix of old and contemporary styles, for example, hip-hop ballet. These latest styles also come with their custom dance costumes that set the performers apart. The music also reflects this amalgamation, leading to newer genres of music, custom to each dance style.
Dancewear Online: Dance Costumes Today
With the booming of e-commerce, online websites selling dance costumes are not a rarity. Several online dance costume stores exist, serving a global and growing consumer base. Any online dance costume store will have stock of the following,
Leotards
Leotards are a staple costume for any dance. They come in a stretchy and fitting fabric that closely sticks to the skin without hindering movement. Every dancer will own a leotard, irrespective of the style they perform. Leotards are generally worn during rehearsals for the freedom of movement and lightweight fabric. Leotards cover the entire body from neck to ankle. Shorter leotards that end above the knees are also available. Dancers wear leotards under their costume to protect their skin; it also provides coverage for revealing costumes. Leotards also aid in the fluidity of movement when wearing heavy costumes, the leotard supports the costume, and without direct skin contact, the costume doesn’t cause a hindrance.
Hosiery
Hosiery in dance is any costume worn specifically on the bottom half. These garments can include pantyhose, stockings and the like. They perform a similar function to leotards, sticking to the skin and protecting the bottom half. The dance costume is worn over the hosiery, which acts more like underwear for dancers.
Contemporary Dance Wear
Most traditional dance costumes are available in online stores, along with contemporary costumes. Contemporary dance costumes may resemble regular clothing, but they offer a dancer aesthetic even when worn as a regular outfit. These costumes generally include dance tights, jackets, hoodies, crop tops, crop hoodies, tank tops and more. They are best suited for contemporary dance styles like shuffling, house, hip-hop, stomp, etc.
Shoes
Dance shoes may perform an added function depending on the dance. For example, tap dancing shoes are the main dancewear for this dance style. When struck on the tap-dancing board, the shoes create a unique sound, adding rhythm and music to the dance. A more contemporary dance form stomp also uses the sound effects from shoes for the performance. Another performance-related characteristic is balancing; dance shoes help dancers maintain a firm grip while dancing, minimising the chances for accidents. For example, ballerinas require ballet shoes to help them stand on their toes while maintaining posture for long hours.
