Help! I hate my costume!

The day has come when your teacher or artistic director presents the costumes for the upcoming performance.  And you’re…less than excited.  Whether your costume is ugly or itchy or otherwise not your fave, you will have to wear it.  Follow the tips below to make the best of it.

-- If you have a legitimate concern such as the color of the outfit blending with your skin tone or being unable to dance in such a long skirt, politely let your teacher (or artistic director or costumer) know ASAP that you think a change would be beneficial.   It is the teacher’s responsibility to listen to you and ease your concerns.  If your concern can be alleviated with alterations (like adding “bling” in a complementing color, hemming up the skirt, or making the waistband tighter), there needs to be enough time for the alterations to get done well before the show.   

--If the costume itches, digs in, or is otherwise uncomfortable, ask if a lining can be added or if you can wear something underneath like a nude leotard.  Most teachers and costumers will do their best to help you, but if your costume is something like a sequined bra top that will look all wrong if you wear something underneath, you may have to suck it up and deal. 

If you are stuck wearing an itchy costume, apply deodorant and/or body lotion on the areas of your body where the costume irritates your skin.  This will soothe the area and prevent there from being so much friction between your skin and the costume fabric.

--If you feel unsafe in a costume (like your footwear is too slippery or your vision is obscured), let your teacher know immediately.  Your teacher will provide either a costume fix or a tip for you to apply to your dance so you will feel safer.  If you know other dancers have done this role or routine in this costume before, ask them how they navigated dancing safely in costume.

--If you just don’t like the costume, unfortunately there is nothing to be done about it.  The fact that green isn’t your favorite color is not cause to re-costume the cast.  You can tell your teacher (politely or jokingly if you have a good relationship) that you don’t love the look, but don’t ask to change costumes or expect her to do anything about it.  Try to think about how your costume will look from the audience’s perspective.  You are not obligated to take backstage selfies if you are not impressed with how you look up close.