Dance tights style guidelines

You already saw the sizing guidelines, so now I will give you a low-down on style.  There are so many styles of dance tights that just looking at all of them without some background info can be a tad overwhelming.  I'll include basic info describing each style of tights, as well as what styles of dance usually use them.

Styles of dance tights are usually categorized by their foot (or lack of foot).  Some categories have subcategories.  Tights are subcategorized by material or additional variations in cut. (Most dance tights are a nylon/spandex blend.  "Standard" material is a soft tight with a matte finish.  Other materials make up some of the subcategories.)

Here we go.

Footed Tights

Used for ballet (younger dancers), jazz (younger dancers), tap, ballroom, character dance, and show choir. Footed tights cover the dancer from the waist to the toes, like regular panty hose.  Footed tights usually come in the colors white, light pink (also called theatrical pink), ballet pink (peachier in color), multiple skin tone shades, and black.  Sometimes bright colors like blue or green can be found.  They are usually used for costumes only.

Fishnet Tights 

Used for ballroom, jazz costumes, and character dances.
Fishnet tights are made of a loosely woven fabric that looks like netting.  Fishnets are always full footed.

Some "professional" fishnet tights have a solid fabric piece sewn into the sole of the foot, while other "basic" fishnets have the net weave from the waist to the toes.  Some fishnet tights also have a backseam, or a woven line running up the back of the leg.  Fishnet tights usually come in black and multiple skin tone shades.

Shimmer Tights

Used for show choir or character dances.
Shimmer tights are made of a shiny material that looks sparkly from a stage distance.  Shimmer tights are always full footed.  They usually come in black, a few skin tone shades, and sometimes light pink.  Shimmer tights are usually not very stretchy and a little itchy because of the fabric they are made of.

Convertible Tights

Used for ballet, jazz, tap, and character dance.
Convertible tights are like footed tights, but there is an opening in the ball of the foot that allows the tights to be rolled up to resemble footless tights, or pulled down over the foot to resemble footed tights.  When pulled down over the foot, the opening in the convertible tights stays on the ball of the foot so it can be concealed inside a shoe.  Ballet dancers who do pointe usually wear convertible tights so toe pads can be worn under the tights for a smooth feel inside the pointe shoe.  Convertible tights are also handy because they can be rolled up after class so dancers can wear sandals.  The bottoms of the tights also get less dirty because they are rarely in direct contact with the floor.  Convertible tights usually come in light pink, ballet pink, multiple skin tones shades, and black.  Sometimes they can be found in white or bright colors as well.

Body Tights (bodytights)

Used for jazz, show choirs, and sometimes for ballet.

Body tights are like convertible tights, but the top goes up past the waist and covers the chest.  It is held on the shoulders with straps (usually clear plastic or fabric the same color as the tights.  The back is low cut like a scoop back leotard.  Bodytights are good for making a smooth line (no cut off at waist), holding down the bust, and providing a little modesty for costume changes. (I'll do a whole post on the benefits of bodytights later.)  Bodytights usually come in light or ballet pink, multiple skin tone shades, and black.

Mesh Backseam Tights

Used for ballet.
These tights are made of a looser knit material that appears mesh-like when on the dancer's legs.  Mesh backseam tights are always convertible.  They are usually pink (either lighter peach ballet pink, or bright peach classical pink), but occasionally they can be found in black as well.

There is subcategory of mesh backseam tights that is called "pro-cut mesh backseam tights."  These are the same as regular convertible mesh backseam tights, but the toes and heels are missing.  The foot of the tight looks like a stirrup tight with a convertible opening in the middle.  There is also some stitching between where the big toe goes and where the rest of the toes go, so the tight is held in place like a flip flop.  Usually these tights are only worn for performance by professional or very advanced dancers who are accustomed to wearing pointe shoes with no tights inside them (a bad habit for students).

Stirrup Tights

Used for jazz and sometimes for ballet.
These tights are like full footed tights with the toe and heel missing.  The stirrup part of the tight goes around the arch of the foot to provide support and hold the tight in place (to keep it from riding up).  These tights usually come in multiple skin tone shades and black, although they can sometimes be found in white, pink, and bright colors as well.

                                                                              

 Footless Tights

Used for jazz and sometimes for ballet.
These tights cover the dancer's legs from the waist to the ankle.  The tights usually have a knit in cuff that keeps the tights held tightly around the ankle without riding up or flapping.  Footless tights usually come in white, light pink or ballet pink, multiple skin tone shades, and black.  Sometimes they can be found in bright colors as well.

There are two subcategories of footless tights: capri tights and short tights.  These are the same as footless tights, but they end at the mid-calf and mid-thigh, respectively.  These cuts of tights are usually used for jazz or modern.  Sometimes they are just worn for modesty under leotards and short shorts.

Sock Tights

Used for jazz, tap, and by male dancers of all styles.
Sock tights are exactly the opposite of footless tights.  They cover only the foot from the toes to the ankle (or mid-calf).  When dancers are wearing long pants and just want the feeling of tights inside their shoes, they can wear sock tights.  Sock tights usually come in light pink, black, and skin tone colors.  They sometimes come in white as well.


I hope this post gave you some helpful information about the various styles of dance tights.  What is your favorite style of tights?  What style of dance do you use them for?  Leave a comment!