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.