Moving to the beat and hanging out with peers while wearing a super cool outfit – there are plenty of reasons why kids love dancing. Not only is it extremely fun, but it’s also one of the healthiest hobbies a child can adopt, as it helps in the development of coordination, balance, self-confidence and more.
If you decide to sign up your kid for dance classes, there are a few things you need to consider equipment and clothing-wise. Dancewear plays an important role in this art form, regardless of age, gender, or dance genre. Wearing the wrong clothes can ruin the experience both in the studio and on stage.
Keeping this in mind is especially important when it comes to the youngest, who may lack the experience to push through uncomfortable situations that can arise from clothing. For instance, they may not want to put on a bodice that’s too tight or has the wrong texture, let alone dance in it. To ensure your little one falls in love with this new hobby, which has the potential of becoming a life calling, here’s how to get them properly ready.
Baselayers
Comfy and breathable kids’ dance undergarments should lay the base for any outfit, regardless of whether it’s just for practice or performance. You should shop for quality children’s dance unders designed to feel like a second skin while allowing complete freedom of movement.
How are kids dance unders different from regular undies? They feature a seamless design that provides complete coverage but doesn’t clash with the costume. Since the underwear needs to stay invisible under the outfit, these garments are usually available in neutral colours.
As for the material, performance children’s dance unders are typically made from lightweight cotton or microfibre to provide moisture control and breathability. The fabric blend may also feature elastane for extra stretch and freedom of movement.
Many dancewear brands cater to young performers with separate lines of undergarments for children. Some of them, like Capezio, Energetiks, and Studio 7, to name a few, are well-known and time-loved choices among professional dancers.
Regarding style, there are many options to suit different dance costumes, from high-cut and low-cut briefs to boy-leg undies. There are also specially designed period undies for girls from 8 to 18 years that eliminate the need for bulky pads or intrusive tampons.
For upper body support and coverage, you can shop for bras in neutral hues with clear straps and backs. There are also full body stockings with cups that keep everything secured for an elegant and modest appearance that’s required in many dance styles. Some of these base layers are convertible and can be used as a part of the class uniform or performance costume.
While undergarments don’t necessarily make an outfit, they can certainly break it, so make sure you choose the right fit and style and provide the aspiring dancer with comfort and confidence on the road from class to stage.
Costumes
Dance costumes serve an aesthetic and functional purpose. Apart from making the dancer look good and feel good, they help enhance performance and safety on the dancefloor. For instance, a ballet bodice helps the dancer maintain a good posture without causing discomfort or making them look stiff. Another great example are tights that provide compression and reduce the risk of cramps and injuries.
Comfort and performance are important, but those aren’t the only things you should consider when picking out a dance costume or outfit. The dancewear your child needs will almost always depend on the style of dance they’re learning.
For instance, lyrical dances may require romantic, flowy skirts, whereas hip-hop dances may call for a pair of baggy pants. If you have no idea what’s appropriate dancewear, it’s always best to consult the teacher on what clothing is the most suitable for their class and the style they teach.
Accessories
Accessories pull the outfit together while adding that extra bit of personality. These may come in the form of jewellery, headwear, hairpieces, legwarmers and so forth. Some of these items serve a practical purpose as well, like headbands that keep the hair out of the face or legwarmers that minimise the risk of ankle injuries.
When choosing dance accessories for your child, you should do so from a specialised store for the best experience. You don’t want to buy a hairpiece that may fall during the best part of the choreography or a necklace that may tug on the garments.
Footwear
Footwear is one of the key ingredients for a successful dance performance. That’s why every dance style has a distinct type of shoes including tap, character, ballet, ballroom, contemporary shoes and so on and so forth. In addition, each of these types may differ in terms of soles, material, heel height etc.
With so many options to choose from, it can get a bit difficult to decide, so again, it’s wise to consult the teacher. With that being said, you can now explore dancewear essentials online or in-store and outfit your child for the many happy routines and achievements that follow.
