January 2017 Favorites: For-a-good-cause Edition

Since it's a new year, I thought I'd populate my January faves with items from brands that give some of their proceeds to charity.  One of my New Year's aspirations is to be a more conscious consumer (have a better understanding of where items come from and where the money used to purchase them goes).  I don't think it's realistic for me to buy solely fair trade products right now, but I do intend to buy more goods that benefit charitable organizations and buy less fast fashion.

Clothing

Bombas socks

Bombas touts that it makes the best socks in the world, and I can say with certainty that it's true.  Bombas socks have built in arch support, no toe seam, a Y-kint heel (fits the foot shape and doesn't drift up or down), and bands at the ankle or calf that prevent socks from slipping.  In the women's varieties, the socks come in two sizes and tons of colors and styles .  I have very small feet, and I tend to have trouble with socks being too big and/or slipping off when I take off my shoes.  Bombas socks fit so perfectly, and all their touted attributes are the real deal.  I wear Bombas socks regularly for modern dance since they keep my feet warm and protected from floorburn without slipping around.  As an added bonus, the brand is completely devoted to charity work and even has a Product Red line.  For each pair of socks purchased, one pair of socks is donated to the homeless (over 1 million donated so far).  For Product Red socks, 50% of sale price goes to support the Global AIDS Fund.  (Available at bombas.com)

Life is Good sweatshirts

I've worn Life is Good T-shirts since high school, and I've always been a fan of their soft fabrics and cute designs.  I recently started wearing Life is Good sweatshirts as lounge clothes and warm-ups, and I really love them.  The cotton/poly fabric is super soft as well as durable (although the crusher tees are also soft, they are 100% cotton, which tends to get holes after lots of washing and wearing).  I have very broad shoulders, and the slightly scooped neckline works well for me.  I'm also psyched about the available colors (though they'll probably be in the clearance area by now)-army green and dark grey are some of my best colors.  10% of profits benefit the Life is Good Kids Foundation, which works with childcare organizations to raise quality of care for underprivileged children.  (Available at lifeisgood.com and at some retailers like TJ Maxx)

Skincare

Lush Charity Pot lotion

I live in a super dry climate, so daily applications of rich body lotion are absolutely necessary.  I like formulas that smell good, deeply moisturize my skin, and don't contain many artificial ingredients or colors.  Lush Charity Pot is described as a body lotion, but I think it's thick enough to be a body butter.  I've used Charity Pot before (about 2 years ago), but now that I've started up with it again, I think it's going to become my regular go-to.  Recently it started coming scented with a light floral perfume (from natural ingredients), which is really nice and doesn't stick around too long after application.  Proceeds support multiple grassroots organizations, including some that help animals and local organic farmers.  (Available at Lush stores and lush.com)

Drunk Elephant

I've mentioned Drunk Elephant in my favorites before, and I still use the "holy trinity" of TLC Framboos, B-Hydra, and C-Firma on a daily basis.  DE recently released TLC Sukari Babyfacial, a weekly facial resurfacing mask.  It's a chemical exfoliator that helps remove dead skin and brighten any dark spots.  The results are great, and, as always, the product is free from any face-irritating colors or fragrances.  While I can't say that every Drunk Elephant product is my perfect match, DE Products make up the bulk of my daily skincare routine and will probably remain faves for years to come.  DE supports the International Elephant Foundation (IEF).  All products are cruelty-free and made in the USA.  (Available at Sephora stores, sephora.com, and drunkelephant.com)

Food

Newman's Own pineapple salsa

This delicious salsa is not too spicy, and the pineapple adds a yummy tropical sweetness.  It's the perfect complement to salty tortilla chips and rich refried beans.  I love having chips and salsa (accompanied by hommus or beans for extra protein) as a pre-rehearsal snack, and this salsa is a great condiment for a meal like taco salad.  Proceeds go to the Newman's Own Foundation, a charity founded by Paul Newman to keep up his legacy of philanthropy.  The organization supports numerous groups that help animals, veterans, children, the environment, and nutrition programs.  Find this (and many other Newman's Own products) at most grocery stores.

Misc

House of Marley Smile Jamaica earbuds

I use earbuds and headphones all the time.  They're useful for listening to a variation's music while mentally marking dance steps, enjoying a podcast during a cycling workout, or providing background music while at the office.  I find that most ear buds don't last more than a couple of years because the plastic cord coating tends to split and break off (again, super dry climate here).  I love these earbuds because the cord coating is wrapped thread similar to paracord.  This makes them a lot more durable.  I also love the wood and rose gold accents, and they come with 2 sizes of inserts ("marshmallows") so they fit well in my small ears.  Proceeds support 1Love, the Marley family charitable organization.  (Available at houseofmarley.com and at some retailers like Kohls)

Help! I have no space to practice dance!

Do you live in a tiny New York City apartment?  Or are you dwelling in a dorm room?  Some residences are not well-equipped with spaces where you can practice your dancing.  Sometimes, you may need to rent a studio or go to a different location for in-depth practice.  However, some simple exercises can be performed in small spaces.

1.       Do you have a kitchenette, a bathroom with a sink, a desk, a chest-high window, a footboard on  your bed, or a chair with a back?  Then you have a barre.  You may not be able to do travelling combinations, but you can at least do plies.

2.       Do you have an area of hard floor (tile or wood) in the kitchen, bathroom, or entryway?  Then you can practice basic pointe.  Again, you probably won't be able to travel, but releves and bourres can be done in place.

3.       If you don't have an area of blank wall, try doing wall-sits or standing push-ups against a closed door.

4.       No floor space for stretching or pilates?  It doesn't necessarily facilitate good technique, but some exercises can be done on your bed (especially pilates series done while laying on your side or back).

5.       To help work your dance brain, create a combination for yourself (I like working on small, quick jump combinations) and practice saying the names of the steps as you mark the combination with your hands.  This is great practice for picking up combinations quickly and executing them with fewer mistakes.  It's also good work for budding teachers and choreographers.

Brand Spotlight: Ainsliewear

Ainslie Cyopik, a retired professional ballet dancer, created her own line of dancewear to better suit the needs of professionals.  Now, her designs are some of the most popular and stylish in North America.  Ainsliewear supplies school uniforms to the school of the National Ballet of Canada.

pronunciation	Ains-lee-wear
website	ainsliewear.com
styles of dance included	ballet, modern/contempoarary/lyrical
types of items	bodywear, warm-ups
country of origin	Canada
price point	lower-end luxury
quality	excellent
availability	Available at some local dancewear stores in the US and abroad.  Full availability on ainsliewear.com.
sizing	leotards/bodywear: true to size
Jillian’s top pick	zip front leotards
Jillian’s item to avoid	Personally not a fan of the Eve, Nadia, or Marcela leotard—too sexy for ballet.

My costume is really expensive!

Dance costumes for all occasions (recital, competition, etc.) often cost a bit more than expected.  However, once you understand the reason for the price, they often seem more reasonable.  I will detail some of the most common costume expense situations below.

1.       My studio is ordering recital costumes and is charging a higher price than I can find online for the same costume (and I'm required to order through the studio).  I get to keep the costume after the show.  First and foremost, try not to get upset about this.  There are often a few understandable reasons for the price hike.  Teachers and directors want to have control over the colors, sizes, etc. of all the costumes, so it is much less chaotic when one person is ultimately responsible for all costumes.  This does require extra work for the director; she will probably have to measure students, place orders, organize the costumes, possibly alter them so they fit better, etc.  Some of the increased cost goes to reimbursing the director and assistants for this extra work.  Dance studios are generally for-profit businesses, so the studio is generally more successful the more money it brings in.  If you really can't afford the higher price, speak privately with the director and see if it would be possible to work out a discount.

2.       The custom costume I am getting for a competition costs a fortune!  Special costumes are usually really expensive, especially classical tutus.  There are two main reasons why these items cost so much: materials and labor.  Fabrics like velvet and satin are more expensive than less sumptuous options like cotton.  Sometimes these fabrics are $20 or more per yard, and a costume often requires several yards.  It can take up to 120 yards of tulle (which usually costs $1-$5 a yard) to make a classical tutu.  Any "bling" or embellishments also add to materials cost.  Authentic pearls or crystals can cost $100 for the amount needed to embellish a bodice.  It takes many hours (up to a few hundred) for a person to design and assemble a costume.  If you paid a costumer minimum wage (in my state, that's about $9 an hour) to create a classical tutu and bodice, labor alone would cost about $1,000.  Add in materials cost, and you're easily looking at $2,000 or more for a relatively simple outfit.  If you need to save money, try purchasing a costume secondhand and having it altered to fit you.  You can also purchase ready-made pieces and embellish them yourself to save. 

3.       The company is charging a "costuming fee," but the costume is old and I don’t get to keep it after the show.  This is common when students at ballet academies get to perform in story ballets.  Most companies have troves of costumes, and there is a specific set of costumes that goes with each ballet.  The characters in Swan Lake will always wear the same costumes, regardless of what dancers are dancing the parts.  Because of this, dancers will never be allowed to keep costumes after the show.  This would deplete the company of it's costume stock.  The fee you are paying is usually put toward the cleaning and altering of the costume.  Costumes should be dry cleaned before and/or after each run of shows, and this can get pricey if the costume is delicate or requires a lot of special care.  Companies also alter costumes to fit each dancer, and this requires materials and labor.  Your costuming fee is reimbursing the company for the costume cleaning, as well as paying the people who alter the costumes.  As in example 1, speak to the director if you legitimately can't afford the costuming fee.  You can usually work something out.

What do I wear when trying a class at a new studio?

The midway point of the academic year (between fall and spring semesters) can be a good time to change studios.  Are you trying out a new studio this January?  If so, think carefully about what you will wear to your first class to make the best impression.  (Note: This guide pertains to experienced dancers who are changing studios, not beginning dancers or those changing styles.)

First, consider the studio's dress code.  Are students required to wear all black?  Is a certain style of leotard required?  Make sure you know what the other students are wearing before you select your outfit.  It's not necessary that you look exactly like everyone else when you are just testing the waters, but it's important to think about.

In general, you should follow the dress code to the best of your ability without purchasing any new dancewear.  If the class you will be trying requires female students to wear black tank leotards, it's ok for you to wear your black camisole leo if you don't own a tank.  It is not appropriate for you to wear another, brighter color if you have black leos in your collection.  (If, for example, you only own red leotards because that was the uniform at your previous school, ask the new studio's director if it is ok to wear what you have to your trial class.  They will usually say it's ok.)

Always wear clean dancewear that is in good repair, and choose more modest dancewear if you can.  It's better to wear longer shorts to the first class and see if bootie shorts are allowed for later rather than going ahead and wearing short shorts that may be against the dress code or studio culture.

Do one small thing to stand out if it is allowed.  Hair accessories are good choices, especially small bows or colorful clips.  Note that some studios do not allow accessories or embellishments, and you should always obey these rules.

Never wear dancewear with the logo or name of another school on it.  Pieces that show the name of your old studio or somewhere you attended a summer course can make it seem like you like that place better than the new studio.   Just to play it safe, choose plain dancewear pieces.

Be prepared to dance in the "bare minimum" if requested.  For example, if you are taking a ballet class, be prepared to be asked to take off your wrap skirt and warm ups and dance in just your tights and leo.  If you're doing jazz, you may be asked to take off your longer t-shirt and wear just a bra top and shorts.  To prepare for this, choose dancewear that fits appropriately and doesn't need covering up for modesty or fit.

If you wear makeup, don't over do it.  A little concealer, mascara, and lip gloss can enhance your look in a good way.  You want the teachers and directors to get to know what you look like, so don't wear more makeup than you would for any other dance class.  If you normally wear a lot of makeup, consider toning it down so you look fresh and ready to learn.

Most importantly, don't let your appearance distract you or detract from your confidence.  If you are wearing a different color or style than the other students, it's ok.  It's just for one class.  Focus more on your technique then your look, and you'll certainly be fine.

Ballet fashion police

If you are a teen or adult female ballet dancer, it can be a little difficult to put together the perfect outfit for class, especially if you are relatively new to dance.  Some combinations look great, and others are just . . . off.  Some things look cute on the rack, but unflattering or immature when tried on.  I always encourage dancers to wear what makes them most comfortable as long as it follows the dress code, so if you like wearing something that I advise against in this post, feel free to ignore me and keep on groovin’.  However, I know that sometimes things look “not quite right” and it can be tough to put your finger on just what needs to change.  This post is meant to help you put together outfits that are age appropriate, stylish, and contribute to confidence.

--Choose pink, black, or gray convertible, footless, or stirrup tights.  Avoid nude or skin-tone tights for ballet.  They make you look like you have bare legs, which tends to be a no-no in ballet.  Full footed tights are usually only worn by young children.

--Pink tights can be worn over or under a leotard.  I recommend wearing black or gray tights over a leotard.  Wearing them under a leotard can look kind of “80s aerobics.”

--If you wear tights over a leotard, wear the waistband lower on your hips rather than pulling it all the way up, which can make you look shorter and torso-less.  Also, don’t wear your convertible tights over your feet—keep them rolled up and “footless.”  Wearing convertible tights over your leo and tucked into shoes can make you look like you are wearing waders. 

--Try not to match the color of your leotard to the color of your tights (however, all black is always acceptable).  Pale pink leotards with pink tights looks young, and all-gray starts to look like you are trying to be monochromatic.

--Only tuck convertible tights into flat ballet shoes if they are the same color as the shoes.  Black tights tucked into pink shoes look a little funny, and the combination makes legs look short.

--When choosing a leotard, simple camisole and ¾ sleeve options are effortlessly stylish.  Tank, short sleeve, and long sleeve leos take a little more work to elevate because young students are often required to wear them as a uniform.  Any leo with a v-neck or v-back, a pinch at the neckline, or lace or mesh detail is usually a grown-up and stylish choice.

--If you are wearing a skirt or shorts, don’t match the color of your skirt or shorts with the color of your leotard.  It brings to mind dresses and unitards, both of which are not big in grown-up ballet fashion.  However, it is super spiffy to pair things in the same color family, like a light blue leotard with a royal blue skirt.  Contrasting colors look good too, but avoid clashy combos like a red leo and orange skirt.  Some people say that light pink chiffon skirts are babyish, but I disagree if they are styled right.  Don’t pair a pink skirt with a pink leo, but it can look really nice with colors like navy blue.

--If you are apple shaped (wider in the tummy), wear higher-waisted shorts and pull your skirt up to your natural waist.  This creates a more defined waistiline.  If you have an hourglass figure (narrowest at the waist), wear low-rise shorts and tie your skirts around your lower jeans-waist.  This will make your hips appear narrower and your torso more streamlined.  If you are pear shaped, any option will work for you.

--If you want a little more coverage on top, add a thin ¾ or long sleeve solid-colored top.  Make sure the sleeves are tight enough that they don’t hang away from your arms.  Avoid wearing a tank or short-sleeved top over a longer sleeved leotard; it looks kind of funny.

--As far as legwarmers go, choose warmers that are in the same shade range or darker than your tights.  Light pink tights can take warmers of any color, but black tights look best with black, dark gray, or other deep-colored warmers.  White or pale pink warmers with black tights looks 80s aerobics again.  Avoid warmers that are too matchy or too clashy with any other piece you are wearing.

--When styling your hair, stick to hair accessories like flowers, clips, and simple bows in colors that complement your dancewear.  Avoid super poofy bows, scrunchies, and cheap-looking plastic “kid” accessories.  Use “invisible” or neutral colored hair nets to make neat buns.  Crocheted bun covers and snoods in colors other than black lose their cuteness after age 11 or so.