It can seem like there aren't many options out there for dancers with darker skin tones when it comes to tights, briefs, and nude leotards and bras. Unfortunately, the classical dance world is built on a paler standard when it comes to performance wear. There are some options out there, and in this post I will tell you about some specific products that come in a wider range of skin tone shades, as well as how to modify items to best fit your needs.
**Note: I am a pale girl myself, but I do know a lot about a lot of brands and styles of dancewear. I have plenty of my own struggles finding dancewear to fit my shorter legs and smaller feet, so I am well aware of and sympathetic to the difficulties in finding dancewear that works for every individual, unique person.
Capezio's Ultra-Soft Convertible tights (1816) come in three darker skin tones.
Cocoa Mocha Suntan
Body Wrappers' Convertible tights (A31) come in two darker skin tones (sorry the pics are tiny, it's just the color that's important).
If you can't find a good match from any of those, try looking at http://www.shadesofdance.org/products_a.php. This is an online retailer that makes convertible tights and bodytights in a variety of skin tones catered to African-American dancers. I do not know the quality of the tights, but they come in seven different brown shades ranging from light to very dark.
Nude leotards(and bras and briefs) in any color but light tan are very few and far between. Your best bet to have one in a good shade for you (and in a timely manner) is to dye one yourself. You an get a light tan nude leo, bra, or brief from any online dance retailer or from your local dancewear store. Use regular fabric dye (according to the package directions)or strong black coffee (submerge the fabric and leave it alone, checking on it regularly until it becomes dark enough, then rinse and dry)to re-color the leotard.
For modesty inserts in costumes, canvas flat ballet shoes, and satin pointe shoes, use a brown fabric marker close to your skin tone to color the fabric. You can also use pancake face makeup, but the process is a little messier.
Comment below with any questions or experiences you want to share!
**Note: I am a pale girl myself, but I do know a lot about a lot of brands and styles of dancewear. I have plenty of my own struggles finding dancewear to fit my shorter legs and smaller feet, so I am well aware of and sympathetic to the difficulties in finding dancewear that works for every individual, unique person.
Capezio's Ultra-Soft Convertible tights (1816) come in three darker skin tones.
Cocoa Mocha Suntan
Body Wrappers' Convertible tights (A31) come in two darker skin tones (sorry the pics are tiny, it's just the color that's important).
 |
| Mocha and Suntan, respectively. |
If you can't find a good match from any of those, try looking at http://www.shadesofdance.org/products_a.php. This is an online retailer that makes convertible tights and bodytights in a variety of skin tones catered to African-American dancers. I do not know the quality of the tights, but they come in seven different brown shades ranging from light to very dark.
 |
| lightly toasted almond, toasted almond, caramel, nutmeg, cinnamon, mocha, and espresso, respectively. |
For modesty inserts in costumes, canvas flat ballet shoes, and satin pointe shoes, use a brown fabric marker close to your skin tone to color the fabric. You can also use pancake face makeup, but the process is a little messier.
Comment below with any questions or experiences you want to share!
Shades of dance appear to be the only ones that sell tights for darker tones. The color I ordered matched perfectly but the downfall is that the quality is not too good. They are not as durable as capezzios or even danskin.
ReplyDelete1 little snag and you have and you will have a run.
DRAG QUEENS: purchase extra and use as your final layer and keep the others as back ups. If you have nails be very careful putting them on and padding!
Great post!!Thanks for sharing it with us....really needed.Women of colour have always had trouble finding the right hosiery to suit their skin shade. Now all that is about to change - we are presenting five shades of ultra sheer skin tone tights for brown and black skin.skin tone tights for brown skin
ReplyDeleteMariia also sells some nude leos that are in several different shades. I've never personally worn them, but Mariia leos are good quality.
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