How long does it take to reach professional level?

We all know it takes a lot of training over a period of several years to get to a professional level, but exactly how long is that?  Can anything be done to shorten the process?  And do "late starters" have a chance at all?  In this post, I'll do my best to answer these questions.  

This info is based on my experiences, observations, and the words of my teachers.  Remember that every case is different, and your time frame is dependent on your level of commitment.  Talk to your dance teacher for a better idea of the time frame you're looking at.

Most dancers who start taking class between ages 3 and 5 and remain committed with no major breaks can expect to reach pro or at least pre-pro level in their mid teens (15-16 ish).  You may have heard the phrase "it takes 12 years to train a professional dancer."  This is absolutely true in this case.  The exact number of years can be a couple more or less based on the number of classes taken per week and raw talent.

When dancers start taking classes around age 8 and remain committed with no major breaks, they can reach pro or pre-pro level by the late teens.  (17-18 ish).  These dancers are not at a big disadvantage when compared to the dancers who started at age 3.  This is because "early childhood" dance classes are often very different from "youth" classes.  While 3-year-olds learn plie and tendu, they spend a majority of their classes just running around and moving their bodies.  More technically based classes are not usually introduced until age 8 or so.  

If dancers don't start taking classes until their early teens (age 13 or so), there is question as to whether or not professional level can be reached while the dancer is young enough to audition for most major companies.  If these dancers are extraordinarily committed and show a large amount of raw talent, this is possible.  Misty Copeland had only about 4 years of training before she started working with ABT.  It is rare that a dancer can go so far on so little training, but it is possible.  For dancers who are not prodigies, with commitment and several classes a week, pro level can be reached by the early twenties.  While the window may have passed for major companies who like to hire high-schoolers, these dancers still absolutely have a chance to dance professionally at smaller and local companies.

If dancers don't start serious training until the late teens (18-19), many think they don't stand a chance of reaching professional level.  However, I've seen it happen.  If a dancer starts training in college (usually through a college dance program), it is not unheard of for him or her to go in as a beginner and come out in 4 years straddling the line of advanced and pre-pro.  With a few more years of intense training with a dedicated teacher, these dancers can reach pro level by the mid 20's.   In order for this to work, though, it requires extreme commitment and hard work. The window for large companies has almost certainly passed by this point, but small and local companies are still attainable.  

As for dancers who take breaks from training, expect to take about half the time of the break to recover the level of training you had before the break.  For example, you must take six months off to heal an injury, after coming back to dance, expect to take about three months of training to get back to the level you were at before you were injured.  In total, add nine moths to the total amount of training you will need before reaching pro level.  This is just a general estimate--for some individuals and situations the time frame is shorter and for some it is longer.

How long have you been dancing?  Are you striving to be a professional dancer?  Leave a comment below!

Tiny Tips: practice anywhere

You can practice dance anywhere.  Balance in passé while brushing your teeth.  Do petite allegro while waiting for your drink to heat up in the microwave.  Stand in fifth position while waiting in line.  Sit up straight and practice holding your abs during school.  Pointe and flex your feet while you work on homework or watch TV.  Stand in demi-pointe while you shower.  Never give up an opportunity to practice!

Dancewear trend: high-waisted shorts

For styles like modern, jazz, and tap, these high-waisted spandex shorts are super stylish.  They can be worn "up" like in the photo on the right, or rolled down like in the photo on the left.  

If you wear bra tops with your shorts, wearing the high waisted shorts "up" can be a little more modest.  It's also a good option for dancers with more in the tummy area; wearing them "up" can cut down on muffin top.  Dancers with long torsos can wear the shorts "up" to make the torso look shorter and the legs look longer.

Rolling the shorts down is also an option.  This looks super cute paired with a tank or t-shirt that hits between the waist and hips.

Do you like wearing high-waisted shorts to class?  Leave a comment!

Leotard style guidelines

Leotards come in many styles and cuts.  The styles can be defined by just about every feature, including sleeve length, bustline/neckline, back, fabric, and accents.  In this post I will show some photos and describe some of the most common and distinctive styles of leotards.  At the end of the post, I will show some photos of leotards to demonstrate how multiple aspects of styling can come together in one piece. 

Sleeves and straps

halter


The strap is either one loop or two pieces that tie at the back of the neck.  This style tends to look good on dancers with narrow shoulders.











camisole



The straps are thin, like spaghetti straps.











tank



The straps are thicker.











cap sleeve


The sleeves are very short and barely cover the shoulders.












short sleeve



The sleeves are a little longer and cover more of the bicep.











half sleeve



The sleeves hit above the elbows.  This style looks good on dancers with broader shoulders and longer arms.










3/4 sleeve



The sleeves hit between the elbows and wrists.











long sleeve


The sleeves reach all the way to the wrists.

Neckline

scoop



The neckline is a gentle curve.











square



The neckline is less rounded with more defined corners.  Square necklines look good on dancers with a larger bust.

















boat



The neck is high cut and open wide across the shoulders.











sweetheart

 The bustline is heart-shaped.









V



The neckine plunges in a V-shape.











Mandarin (mock-turtle)

The collar is high and covers part of the neck.  This style looks great on dancers with a smaller bust and a short torso.

Back

scoop

The back scoops in a gentle curve.  Usually paired with scoop neck.








V



The back plunges in  V-shape.

















square

The back is square with defined angles.  Usually paired with a square neck.










low


The back goes all the way down to the dancer's lower back.  Usually boatneck leotards have lower backs, but they are common on camisole and tank scoop necks as well.










full/closed

The back is fully closed all the way up to the neck.  Usually paired with mandarin collars.  For a full back and mandarin collar, there is usually a zipper on either the front or back of the leo.

Detail

cutout


Cutouts can be in front, back, or on the side.












straps



Crossed back straps make a unique detail.











colorblock



Colorblocking can happen anywhere on the leotard from sidestripes to different colors on the top and bottom.











asymmetrical


Sometimes the leotards are different on either side.

Fabric

velvet

Velvet is a nice fabric detail, but it can be very warm.













mesh



Mesh is a fashionable option.  It is usually in the neckline, back, and sleeves.










lace



Similar to mesh, lace has been very popular lately.  It is also used to decorate necklines, sleeves, and backs.










pattern


Patterned fabric makes for a pretty change of pace.

Examples

 Velvet long sleeve square back leotard













Velvet top colorblock tank leotard











Cap sleeve mandarin collar mesh patterned top leotard












What is your favorite style of leotard?  Leave a comment below!

Tiny Tips: leotard sleeves

Don't know what sleeve length to choose for your studio temperature?  If you're allowed to wear warm ups like shrugs, you can go with a camisole or tank leo, even in winter.  That way, if the heater is on, you won't sweat too much.  If you can't wear warm ups, go with a short sleeve or half sleeve so you'll stay warm, but not overheated.

Dance skirts sizing guidelines

What's more fun and beautiful than a dance skirt?  I'll take you through the sizing guidelines for the brands and styles I am familiar with.  Those include Body Wrappers, Bloch, So Danca, Capezio, Eurotard, and Theatricals by discountdance.com.

Body Wrappers: 

chiffon wrap skirts-- they run very small in the waist size, but long in length.

pull on skirts (including chiffon, jersey, and longer ballroom and character skirts)-- They run small in the waist and normal in length.

Capezio:

chiffon wrap skirts-- they run a little large in the waist, and average in length

pull on skirts (all styles)-- same as above, a little large in the waist, but average in length.

Bloch (including Mirella):

chiffon wrap skirts-- they come in one size, and it fits me perfectly.  Taller dancers may find them short, and dancers with wider torsos may find them small in the waist.

pull on skirts (all styles)--they run a little small in the waist, but pretty average in length.

So Danca:

pull on skirts (all styles)--they run a tad large in the waist, but average length.

Eurotard:

pull on flamenco skirts--these run a little long and small in the waist

Theatricals by discountdance.com:

chiffon wrap skirts--they run absolutely huge in waist size (mine is the smallest adult size, and it wraps around me nearly two full times), and very short in length.  I think this style would only work on very short dancers with thick torsos.

How do you think your dance skirts fit?  Leave a comment!

Tiny Tips: runs in tights

When you get a run in your tights, put nail polish on both ends of the run to keep it from getting bigger.  For a neater look, use nail polish the same color as your tights (light pink for pink tights, nude for tan tights, black for black tights, and mother of pearl for white tights).  If you run mesh tights, add a few stitches over your nail polish for extra security. 

Hair supplies for dancers

Here are some basic hair supplies that most dancers use and should know how to use.  While some of this is certainly old hat, you may be surprised about the specific supplies and products I prefer.

Do you have any favorite hair products or supplies that you use for dance class or performance?  Leave a comment!

Tiny Tips: hydration

Make sure you drink plenty of water to replenish the fluids you lost through sweat and stave off leg cramps.  Fill up a 24 ounce water bottle and take it to class with you.  If you don't finish it all during class, drink the rest afterward.  Regular water not exciting enough?  Add a packet of Emergen-C or a few drops of liquid water flavoring.

Dancewear trend: warm up overalls

The warm up overall (or jumper) trend has been on the rise for about two years now, and it just keeps getting hotter!  Literally.  These garments, which resemble cuddly pants with an attached tank top, keep dancers cozy on cold mornings in the studio.  

Warm up overalls come from many brands and in many fabrics and styles.  The ones pictured are from Sansha and are a fleece fabric.  Body Wrappers makes one in their ripstop fabric.  I have one from Grishko that is knit.  The major unifying factors are a long pant leg and a top with straps (some options have shorts or a long sleeved top, but those styles seem less popular).

A feature of this style is that the top part can be worn "up" as shown in the photo or "down," folded around the waist.  In general, wearing the jumper "down" is more stylish.  Also, having a double layer of fabric around the hips helps keep them warmer.  If you wear low-back leotards, wearing the top "up" can cover your back and keep that area warmer.  

These warm up overalls are excellent for a cold studio.  They can look a little goofy, especially if you wear them out after class.  To make a jumper a little more fashionable, fold down the top and pair it with a long , non-bulky sweater to balance your proportions.  

Do you like warm-up overalls or jumpers?  Leave a comment!

What pointe shoe is best for my foot? (Pointe shoe fitting guidelines)

Here it is, the #1 most common question asked across the dance web.  "What pointe shoe is best for my foot?"  It's also often phrased as "What pointe shoe is best for narrow/wide/square/tapered/bunion prone, etc. feet?"

I cannot answer this question.

The only way to find your best shoe is to get professional fittings and try out shoes until you find one that works well.  If you find a shoe you like, don't be surprised if after a while (months, years) your feet change and it no longer works as well.  This is especially prone to happening to dancers who are still growing and going through puberty, dancers who become pregnant, and dancers who take extended time off and then come back to pointe.  Though it sounds rudimentary, trial and error really is the best method of finding your best shoes over your career.

Now, I don't mean blind trial and error.  You shouldn't go pick a random shoe without thought to its size or construction, jam it on your foot, and start dancing.  That's a great way to get injured.  Professional fitters use a series of guidelines based on the shape of the foot and the dancer's level of training (among many other factors) to find shoes that may be compatible to the dancer's needs.

In the rest of this post, I will explain these guidelines in general terms.  I will also provide two brands and models of pointe shoes for every foot type on the guidelines.  One of the shoes will be more compatible with beginner pointe dancers, and the other with advanced pointe dancers.  These shoes will be listed as examples only; they are not the only shoes in the world for the type of foot I am talking about.  For a more extensive selection, visit your local dancewear store and ask the staff for advice.

Guidelines

First, we must consider the shape of the foot.  There are three basic shapes: the toes are narrower than the metatarsals, all the foot is the same width, and the toes are wider than the metatarsals.  Some brands and fitters use the terms Egyptian, Roman, and Peasant, respectively, to identify these foot shapes (Some also use the term Greek to describe a foot with the second/third toe longer than the first, however this shape is usually a subcategory of one of the others).  I prefer the terms tapered, square, and inverted (inverted taper) because they more accurately describe the shape of the foot.

 Square foot                 Tapered foot              Inverted foot

As well as the shape of the foot, the width of the foot plays in.  Feet are generally narrow, medium, and wide widths, although some fall in between.  Most pointe shoes come in at least three widths, and some come in as many as six to accommodate more feet.  It is usually not too difficult to categorize your own feet as fitting vaguely into the categories narrow, medium, and wide.

These are the two most important basic features that go into choosing a pointe shoe, but they are by no means the only features considered.  Presence of bunions, foot flexibility, ankle strength, location of the arch, and level of training also go into choosing a shoe.  These features are harder to discuss in a generic written format, so I will not be going into them quite as much

Now I'll go through the foot shapes and widths, discuss their general needs in a pointe shoe, and provide two example shoes that suit that shape and width foot.  Remember, these are examples, not explicit recommendations.  I will be using specific terms to refer to parts of the shoe. Look back at my "Anatomy of a Pointe Shoe" video to get a refresher on these terms, or check out the images below.

1.  Tapered and Narrow-- In general, this foot type needs a narrow shoe with a low profile and mildly triangular tapered box. Most narrow tapered feet can handle a low wing since there just isn't a lot of foot to "hold in."  For beginners, a good narrow tapered shoe is the Grishko 2007 ProFlex. More advanced dancers could  check out the Russian Pointe Almaz, which has a harder shank and higher vamp.

2.  Tapered and Medium--This foot type usually needs a tapered shoe with a medium profile and mildly triangular tapered box.  A medium foot, especially a strong one with bunions, could use a medium-to-higher wing, but a low wing usually works fine as well.  Beginning pointe dancers could try a Capezio Tiffany, which is soft-shanked and gently tapered.  More advanced dancers could try a Capezio Studio, which has a higher wing, harder shank, and elasticized binding for a sleeker heel.

3.  Tapered and Wide--This is a less common combination, but not so rare that it isn't readily accommodated.  Usually tapered wide feet need a gently tapered box with a higher profile and a medium or higher wing.  Beginning pointe dancers can try a So Danca Claudia, which has a soft shank and higher wing to keep the sides of the foot in line.  More advanced dancers could look at the Russian Pointe Entrada, which has a high profile heart shaped box with a small, tapered platform (good for turning).

4.  Square and Narrow--This is another relatively unusual combination, but it can still be accommodated.  Square narrow feet usually need a fairly square box with a narrow width.  Sometimes a gently tapered shoe works well too, since the foot is narrow (most square shoes run wider).  A low wing is usually ok because the foot is not exerting pressure on the sides of the shoe too much.  Beginning pointe dancers could look at a Bloch Seranade, which has a short, square box that comes in widths B through E.  The shank is a tad hard, so use caution.  Advanced dancers could look at a Freed Studio II, which has a harder shank and higher wing with a relatively square/ slightly tapered box.

5.  Square and Medium--This foot definitely needs a more square box.  Medium width can usually go with any wing.  Beginners could look at a Capezio Gilsse, which has a medium wing. low profile, and very square box.  More advanced dancers could try a Russian Pointe Rubin in a 4 (or higher) width.  These shoes have fairly square boxes, high vamps, and harder shanks.

6.  Square and Wide--This foot needs a very square box and medium to high crown.  Since the box is already very wide and square, the length of the wing needed depends on the strength of the foot and presence of bunions.  Beginning dancers could try Capezio Plie II, which has a short, square box and soft shank.  More advance dancers could look at a Grishko Elite, which also has a short square box, but with a much harder shank.

7.  Inverted and Narrow (Usually does not happen) Try Capezio Tiffany (slight taper with higher profile) or Capezio Gilsse (very square with low profile).

8.  Inverted and Medium (shape sometimes overlaps with square and wide)-- This foot needs a shoe with plenty of room in the toe box, but not so much room all over so that the foot slips.  A medium/higher profile is best, and a relatively square box with a higher wing will keep the foot in place.  Beginners could look at Capezio Aria, which has a rounded square box and softer shank.  Advanced dancers could try a Bloch Balance European, which has similar construction with a harder shank.

9.  Inverted and Wide--This foot definitely needs a rounded square box with a high profile and high wing.  The high wing and high profile will help the foot be comfortably accommodated without being squished or making bumps.  Beginning pointe dancers could look at the So Dance Nikiya, which has a large square box with a high profile and softer shank.  More advanced dancers can check out the Bloch Dramatica, which is similarly shaped, but it has a split outer sole for a more defined arch.

There you have it.  Those are the most basic guidelines for placing a foot type in a pointe shoe.  Remember that these are just guidelines to help you understand what pointe shoe fitters do and give you a basic understanding of what your needs may be based on your foot type.  These are not by any means all the factors that are considered when choosing a pointe shoe, so don't take my words as gospel.  Head to your local dancewear store to find out more and schedule a professional fitting.

Any more questions or comments?  Leave a comment below!

Guide to journaling for dancers

Journaling may sound like a lame "feelings thing" that your guidance counselor wants you to do.  Not all journals are about feelings, though.  Journaling can be a great tool for dancers, both students and pros.  Here is my guide to journaling for dancers.

1.  Choose a small, hardcover notebook that fits in your dance bag without getting squished.  I like the pretty notebooks that are actually sold as journals or diaries at bookstores. Pair it with a pen that caps well and keep it in your dance bag.

2.  Write in your journal every day that you have dance class, even if you take a different class or style every day.  Things you notice in modern may help you later in ballet.  Try to write in your journal right after each class, while everything is still fresh in your mind.  If you have to wait for a parent to pick you up after class, this is the perfect time to get out your journal and make a few notes.

3.  What you write does not have to be in sentence format with perfect spelling.  Write in any way you want as long as it makes sense to you.

4.  What should you write?  First, make sure to note the date, class, and teacher.  Then start with corrections the teacher gave you and any combinations in class that you had trouble with.  You can also write down things you did well or think you are improving.  If you are learning choreography, definitely write down the steps so you can practice at home.  If your dance has emotions associated with it, write them down too.  If something is better shown with an diagram or illustration, add that as well.  The more information you put down, the more your journal will help you.

5.  If you take private lessons or working on a solo, ask your teacher to write notes in your journal about things you can work on until your next lesson or rehearsal.

6.  Once a week or so, look back at the journal entries you have written.  Look for any trends, like if you are consistently getting corrections on the same thing.  If you notice something like that, write another journal entry about why you think this is a problem and what you think you can do to fix it.  

If you keep a dance journal, leave a comment about what you like to write in your journal!

Tiny Tips: audition attire

Always follow the dress code for an audition.  The most common dress code is all black attire, or black and pink for ballet.  Make sure your shoes are broken in beforehand; new shoes can cause pain and keep you from showing your best technique.  Don't wear brand new dancewear like leotards and shorts for an audition; you want to dance in these items first to make sure they fit and don't ride up or slip down.  Do wear new tights that are clean and don't have any runs.  A new, colorful hair accessory can help you look distinctive and feel confident.

What do you like to wear for an audition?  Leave a comment!

Dancewear trend: trash bag shorts and pants

It seems like just about every ballet dancer has a trash bag short, pant, or both.  At my studio, they are popular in modern dance as well.  Juliet Doherty, dancer at the San Francisco Ballet School, YAGP winner, and Discount Dance model named trash bag shorts as one of her top "insider picks" for Discountdance.com's blog for August 2014.  Google pictures of professional dancers in class, and you will find pics of everyone from Polina Semionova to Beckanne Sisk wearing these swishy pants.

Also called ripstop pants or sauna pants, these loose and somewhat goofy looking garments have been going in and out of style forever.  The technology behind them is nothing new: wear fabric that is not breathable, and your body will get warmer and sweat more.  There is no doubt that it works.  Wearing trash bag pants during warm up or backstage before a performance will ensure that the legs (especially the hips) are warmed up enough to dance without injury.  

When I first saw these shorts and pants, I thought the were a little funny looking, but now I use them regularly to warm up my body.  As far as fashion goes, these garments can sometimes make wide hips look wider, and their baggy style can swallow up tiny dancers, so be aware if this concerns you.  However, since the main goal is function, don't worry too much about how you look.  Be more concerned about how the non breathable fabric warms the body like nothing else.  

Check out style numbers BW764 (shorts) and BW701 (pants)

Do you like trash bag pants?  Leave a comment!

Tiny Tips: stretching

Stretch while you watch TV.  It's something most of us do on a daily basis, so you can get your stretching in every day.  Just don't hold any single position for more than three minutes so your muscles don't get "stuck."


I'm starting this new series, tiny tips.  I will be posting a tiny tip every other day.  I'm just not going to be up to posting a full post or video every day (I'm about to get busy; Nutcracker rehearsals start soon), so I hope these little tidbits can tide you over in between.

Anatomy of a pointe shoe

Here is an analysis of the parts of a pointe shoe.  I hope it helps dancers better understand what goes on with a pointe shoe and how it affects the foot.

I accidentally left out one part: the profile/crown

This part of the shoe is the thickness of the box when the shoe is sitting sideways.  

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!