Dancewear and modesty

When I help people shop for dancewear, I am frequently asked if I think this leotard or that pair of shorts is too revealing.  I believe that this is a very personal question that can really only be answered by the person who will be wearing the items (with input from his or her parents and teachers).  Sometimes I am very concerned with modesty, and sometimes I am not.  I am absolutely guilty of stopping by Starbucks in a leo, tights, and bootie shorts, but I also perform vigorous “movement tests” while trying on leotards to make sure nothing slips and shows.  I think it is best to choose dancewear that fits, makes you feel good, and covers you appropriately.  In this post, I will go over some tips to help you find dancewear that you feel comfortable in as well as guidelines for wearing dancewear outside the studio.  These guidelines and tips will be geared toward female dancers with one very important tip for male dancers at the end.

--What defines modesty/immodesty?  Usually dancewear can be considered immodest if it reveals parts of the body that should be covered up.  Obviously all private areas must be covered, but beyond that, different people have different standards for how much of the body needs to be covered.  Different styles of dance also accept different levels of “showing skin.”  In ballet, usually the legs must be covered at least to mid-thigh, and the midriff must be covered, but exposed backs and upper chests are considered acceptable.  In jazz, dancers are more likely to wear bra tops and short shorts that expose the midriff and more of the legs.  In my opinion, all dancers should follow the dress codes of their studios as well as observe common modesty standards including covering all private areas and minimizing the exposure of surrounding areas such as cleavage and “underbutt.”

--Look for dancewear that flatters your body type.  A good place to start (for teen girls and adult women) is looking at items on discoutdance.com.  Look at the models’ bodies and notice the differences between them.  Some are thinner, some are more athletic.  Others have larger busts.  Plus size models are also featured.  Usually models are dressed and photographed in pieces that flatter their body types.  If you are curvy, look at the pieces shown on curvy models.  Take note of the styles (Thicker straps? Higher necklines?), and remember them when you shop for your dancewear. 

Unfortunately, the world is not fair.  There are often many more flattering choices for slim dancers.  Leotards with low V- necklines, high cut legs, and thin straps are usually modest on thin, non-curvy girls and women.  This same style may show a lot of cleavage on a curvier dancer, making it a less modest choice. 

--Be aware of your studio’s dress code requirements, and balance them with your personal comfort level as well as your parents’ standards (if you are under 18).  Some studios do not allow halter leotards, bra tops without a shirt over them, or shorts without tights underneath.  If you are breaking the dress code, you are not dressed modestly enough.  If your studio does allow dancewear like bra tops and bootie shorts on their own, check in with yourself and your parents before you fill your dance wardrobe with more revealing items. 

There are no hard and fast rules for how old a dancer should be when she starts wearing camisole leotards or bootie shorts to class.  Some dancers wear them age 4, others wait until 12.  This is a decision that needs to be made by the studio, the dancer, and the parents.  If you are young, be prepared for your parents to turn down some more grown up items such as halter leos and the like.  Usually your parents just don’t want to see their little girl grow up too fast.  Enjoy being the age you are now.  There will be plenty of time for more stylish dancewear when you get older.  Also, more stylish and grown up dancewear (especially leotards with fancy low backs) in children’s sizes is a lot more expensive than more basic items.  Your parents may be commenting more on the price than the look of an item if they say they don’t like a piece for you.

--Try dancewear on before you buy it (if you can).  Go to the store and try on many different styles of dancewear before you settle on what works best for you.  If you shop online, try to make informed choices and be aware of the online store’s return policy.  (Most require tags to be attached and the items to be in new/resellable condition.)  Try on items as soon as you get them, and be ok with returning items that don’t work out.  Perform “movement tests” when you try on dancewear.  Raise your arms, kick your legs, lean forward and back.  If any garment is too see-through, slips, rides up, or moves around in a way that you don’t like or have to immediately adjust so nothing shows, don’t buy it (or be ready to return it). 

--After you have built up your dancewear collection, maintain your personal standards of modesty when you make outfits and dress for dance class.  If you feel too exposed when you have on a bra top and bootie shorts, you don’t have to pair those items together.  Wear jazz pants with your crop top, and choose a ¾ sleeve t-shirt to offset your short shorts.  As always, make sure you are in dress code and wearing clothing appropriate for the style of dance. 

--You know what you feel good wearing in the studio.  Now you need to consider what to wear over it for the trip to and from.  (If you normally go to the studio wearing your regular clothes and change after you get there, you do not need to worry about this part.)  Unless your dancewear is passable as street clothes, it’s a good idea to put something on over your dancewear.  A good rule of thumb is to cover anything that looks like underwear.  If you dance in a leo and tights, put on a pair of athletic shorts to cover your bottom (the brief-cut of a leotard makes it inappropriate for street wear).  If you dance in a bra top, put a t-shirt over it. Bootie shorts run a fine line between standard athletic wear and underwear in their look, so cover up if you feel too exposed.  If your butt is exposed at all, definitely cover up.

 If it is hot outside, you can stop there.  It’s ok to ride in the car and walk across the parking lot in a leo, tights, and shorts.  If you are going to be making a super-quick stop before or after class (such as at Starbucks or the gas station), it’s up to you if you feel covered up enough.  Most people are minding their own business and won’t have a chance to look at you long enough to make any judgments. 

If it’s cold outside, if you will be going somewhere for a longer period of time after class (like a restaurant), or if you take public transportation to the dance studio, it is necessary to put on more clothing over your dancewear.  Most dance warm-ups like pants and sweaters work well, as do street clothing items like sweat pants and hoodies.

If you are getting ready for a dress rehearsal or performance at a theater, always cover up in weather appropriate warm-ups or street clothes when arriving and leaving.  You don’t have to look fancy, just covered up.  This respects the theater as a place of art.  Also, if your rehearsals and performances are late at night and the theater is in a different neighborhood than you are used to, it can promote your safety to be dressed modestly.  It is 100% wrong to bother or hurt anyone because of what they are wearing, but sometimes people mistake dancewear and heavy stage makeup for a “streetwalker” look. 

--Men’s dancewear comes in fewer different styles and varieties than women’s dancewear, so putting together a modest look is usually very easy as long as all studio guidelines are followed.  If you wear loose pants or shorts to dance, you do not have to do anything to cover up.  If you wear tight shorts, leggings, or dance tights that reveal the outline of your dancebelt, throw on some looser sweat pants or basketball-style shorts over top whenever you are not in the studio.

Using these guidelines along with good judgment and communication will ensure that your dancewear is appropriate and works well for you.