Item review: convertible tights by Dance Class (Trimfoot)

I got these tights as a sample.  They are the CVT401 Adult convertible tights.

I was initially excited to try these tights because they have a very high spandex content.  They are 15% spandex (even higher than Capezio, which was the reigning champion with 14%).  In general, the higher the spandex content, the stretchier the tight and the less likely it is to get runs.  These tights were very soft and stretchy when I put them on.  

My enthusiasm faded almost immediately when I started looking at the product, not the package.  The package claimed that the tights were pink, but the were a very distinct tan color (pictured above) that is nowhere close to pink (even neutral ballet pink).  There is no way I could wear this color to my regular ballet classes, so I wore the tights to an open technique class.

These tights do not have a sewn on waistband; it is just knit in.  I don't prefer this, but I know other dancers who do.  It's just a personal thing.  These tights also do not have a tag, which I like (tags are often itchy for me).  However, this makes it impossible to tell the front from the back without closely examining the convertible feet.  The way the convertible feet are set up, the toes are not reinforced and the convertible foot is so wide that it almost resembles a footless tight.  When the tights are put on correctly, the convertible foot comfortably hugs the foot and it looks like it does in the picture.  However, I foresee a lot of younger dancers unfamiliar with convertible tights accidentally putting them on backwards.

After I wore these tights to one class (granted, it was a stretch and strength based class), they had a run in the inner thigh.  After I washed them one time, the stitching in the gusset (crotch) was coming undone.

These tights seemed so promising, but they really fell flat.  Overall, I give them a 2 out of 10 (good feel, poor look, poor ease of use, and awful quality).

Item review: Grishko knit jumper

When the weather is cool and the studio temperature is fluctuating between warm and cold it can be good to have a variety of warmups to choose from.  I got this item back in the fall, but it is working very well for early spring rehearsals too.  I got this jumper from Discount Dance.  The item number is GRSC104.  I got it in the Dusty Rose color (because that was the only color available--but I like pink, too).  I had heard that this item runs small, so I choose size medium.  

When I first put on the jumper, it came to a couple of inches above my ankles (like in the photo).  I thought ordering a larger size would take care of that, but it didn't.  However, after a few hours of wearing the jumper around the house (walking around, doing normal things), it stretched out enough to reach my ankles.  

The fabric is billed as "silktex" and is composed of cotton, silk, and spandex.  I thought the fabric would feel silky, but it really doesn't.  It feels more like a smooth, soft terry cloth.The fabric is knit in a very thin layer, which is good adding warmth (for how thin it is, this jumper sure is warm) without extra bulk.  However, it seems like it could tear if the dancer is not careful.

The top of this jumper is straight across, and it is the same height all the way around.  I like this because it covers my back.  It keeps me warm, and it's also good for floor work (it keeps me from getting "floor" on my skin; it also keeps me from getting sweat, lotion, etc. on the floor and causing slick spots).  

When I wear the top up, I do feel like I look a tad goofy.  With the slightly flared legs, I feel like I have on a 1970's jumpsuit.  I'm ok with looking goofy at home or in the studio.  When I wear the jumper after class, I fold the top down.  

Overall, I think I'd give this jumper a 7 out of 10.  The comfort is great, the quality is fair, and the fashion is good!

Do you have a warm up jumper?  Tell what you like or don't like about it in the comments!

Item review: Bloch Grecian Sandal/Pedini/Teaching Shoe

This is the Bloch Elastosplit Grecian Sandal.  Its style is also referred to as a pedini or teaching shoe.  The shoe has a soft leather toe box and heel, which are connected with an X-shaped piece of elastic that goes across the bottom of the foot.  The top (T-strap) of the shoe that goes up to the front of the ankle is made of a soft neoprene fabric.  The shoe has a foam jazz heel that is about 1/2 inch high.  This style comes in tan (pictured) and black.

Usually these shoes are worn by ballet teachers, hence the name "teaching shoe," but many adult dancers wear them for a variety of styles.  Sometimes younger students wear pedini style shoes as well, usually as part of a costume for a specific performance.

The Grecian Sandal comes in women's sizes.  For the best fit, go 1/2 size up from street size.  The toe area should not be baggy, and while the elastic in the arch should be taught, it should not be pulled to it's fullest extent.

I like wearing these shoes for ballroom dance because there is a suede pad on the sole of the toe part of the shoe.  This makes the shoe glide easily on a dance floor.  I love that the shoe is lightweight and flexible.  I usually wear them when my ankle is not feeling good and I don't feel up to wearing my regular ballroom heels.  

Because I wear these shoes on an irregular basis, I haven't experienced them breaking down or falling apart.  Some dancers who wear these shoes more often have noticed the elastics in the arch becoming stretched out.

Overall I give these shoes a 9 out of 10.  They are very comfortable, and they look good on my feet.  The only deduction is the propensity of the elastic to stretch out.

Item review: Capezio dance briefs/trunks

The Capezio brief (CTB111) is a staple to many ballet and ballroom dancers.  These relatively high waisted briefs (also called trunks) have a low cut legline to provide modesty under costumes.  Dancers who wear romantic tutus or any kind of skirt on the stage slip on these briefs over their tights or bare legs just in case the skirt flips up.

The briefs come in a variety of colors including black, white, light tan, royal, purple, red, and ballet pink.  The only colors that are noticeably missing are green, yellow, and skin color matches for darker tones.

The briefs are made of the same thick nylon/spandex material as Capezio's synthetic leotards.  They run true to size, and are supposed to fit very tightly so there is no gapping or sagging.  

While certainly not the most attractive, these briefs certainly do their job of providing modesty.  The seams on the legs are a little scratchy, so the can feel a tad uncomfortable if they are not worn over tights.

Overall I give the briefs an 8 out of 10.  The two-point deduction comes from being relatively unattractive and uncomfortable without tights.  The function is excellent, though.

Item review: Body Wrappers Angelo Luizio "Wendy" ballet technique shoes

**Note: This review is for the OLD fit (2014 and before).  There is a NEW fit; see updated review here.**

The Wendy slipper, also known as the BW246A is a heavy-weight canvas split sole ballet technique shoe.  The shoe has an adjustable elastic drawstring and is individually crafted with a right and left foot (most ballet shoes don't have a right and left).

The Wendy comes in light ballet pink (pictured), as well as "Jazzy Tan" (a light suntan color), white, and black.  The shoe is suitable for male and female dancers.  The shoe does come in whole and half sizes.  The sizing on the shoe is children's standard sizing up to size 4, and men's standard sizing up to size 12.  To accommodate women's street sizes 5 and up, subtract 2 sizes for a tight professional fit.  Subtract 1 or 1.5 sizes for a looser fit.

The suede pads on the sole of the shoe are large and relatively flat, so they are easy to balance on.  The shoe itself is not lined, so there is no sock lining to worry about.  This does make the seams on the inside of the shoe visible, and sometimes they can be felt with the foot.

The construction of this shoe seems to favor a square foot with wide metatarsals and a narrower heel. (The shoe is constructed with a high vamp and low cut heel).  This is a common foot type, so the Wendy works on a lot of people (it's a great shoe for men).  This shoe absolutely doesn't work on everyone.  I have a narrower foot with tapered toes, so the front toe box area of the shoe looks a little baggy.  The sleek low cut heel looks great on my foot, but it doesn't feel secure.

I got my Wendy slippers in black in size 3.5 for a performance.  The shoes felt comfortable and worked well, but they were slightly baggy on my toes and I had to apply costume glue to my heels for peace of mind that they would not slip off midway through the performance.

A few years ago, this shoe was touted as such a good fit that it didn't need elastic.  The shoe was sold in a box with 4 pieces of elastic included, but not sewn on.  Now, the shoes come pre-sewn with criss-crossed elastic.  The elastic is the same color as the shoe.  If you go to a dancewear store, you may or may not get a pre-sewn shoe, depending on when that particular shoe made it to the store.

Overall, I would give this shoe a 6 out of 10.  It looks fabulous (on certain types of feet), it is quite comfortable, and it seems very durable.  However, it just isn't constructed for my foot and really does not work for me.

Item review: Bloch Zenith ballet technique shoes

This is the Bloch Zenith ballet technique shoe (style number BS0282L).   It is a canvas split sole shoe.

I tried these shoes out about a year ago.  This product has only been on the market for about 16 months or so.  When I initially saw an ad for the Zenith in Pointe Magazine, I wanted to try it.  I ordered my pair through my local dancewear store.

The color of the Bloch Zenith shoes is a dark peachy-pink color.  It does not match theatrical pink or ballet pink tights.  It is much closer to light-medium Caucasian skin tone.  I believe they also come in black from the vendor.  Most online retailers only have pink.

Size wise, the Zeniths run in the standard Bloch ballet shoe size scheme.  Children's street sizes up to 4, go with street shoe size.  Women's street sizes 5 and up, subtract 2 sizes.  Men's street sizes, go with street size or one size up.  Choose your regular width (only B and C available).  I went with a 3B (women's size 5, minus 2 sizes, plus regular width).

The main selling point of these shoes is that the canvas they are made of is stretchy.  This keeps them from wrinkling in the arch when the dancer points his or her toes.  Because my foot is small and relatively narrow, it is hard to find a technique shoe that remains unwrinkled all the time.  The Zeniths did a great job of hugging my foot--I loved the stretchiness. The Zeniths have an adjustable elastic drawstring.  I used it to pull the shoe closer to my foot to avoid gapping on the sides.  Loose drawstring ends bother me, so I eventually cut them off.

The inside of the shoe is not lined.  There is also no insole, just fabric pads sewn on the inside of the shoe in the same places as the suede pads on the bottom of the shoe.  These pads inside the shoe are not necessarily uncomfortable, but they do not provide a singular clean surface to stand on the way shoes with insole linings do.

After wearing the Zeniths for just a month or so, they had huge holes in the toes.  I mended the holes with pointe shoe thread, but I developed more holes in another month.  I am extremely disappointed in the longevity of use, especially because the shoes felt high quality when I first put them on.  

I think if a dancer needs a flat shoe that looks beautiful on the foot and will only be worn a few times (like for a performance), the Bloch Zenith is a good choice.  If a dancer needs a shoe with a long lifespan, this is definitely not the best choice.

This shoe costs about $22.00 to $29.00, depending on where it is purchased from.  This price point is just slightly more expensive than most other moderate brand canvas slippers.

Overall, I give this product a 5 out of 10.  (Great in terms of look, pretty good in terms of comfort, downright awful in terms of durability).

Item review: Natalie long sleeve sweater

I recently won a $75.00 gift card to discountdance.com during their back to school sweepstakes.  I used most of it to stock up on basics for Nutcracker, but I got a few fun items too.  One of the fun things was this long sleeve warmup sweater by Natalie dancewear (style number N8740).  I got size small.

The sweater is made of a rayon/nylon/spandex blend that is very heavy, silky, and soft.  It feels very good against my skin. The material seems to have the potential to pill if it is washed and worn a lot, but I haven't had the chance to wear it that much yet.  I like the way the fabric clings slightly.  I feel like my teachers can still see the lines of my body when I'm wearing it.

The neck hole is large (which is good for not messing up perfectly pulled back hair), but not off the shoulder as it appears in the picture.  It is more of a general scoop neck/boat neck.  The neck also has two layers (not visible in the picture).  The inner layer is not hemmed, but rolls up on itself for a cute detail.  It does not seem likely to unravel, even though it is not sewn.  The outer layer of the neckline is folded and sewn down.  

The hem of the sweater falls just past my hips and is slightly ribbed, so it hugs my body and doesn't flap.  It's long enough to cover my bottom, so I felt comfortable wearing it over my leotard without shorts to leave the studio.  

The sleeves are long (which is great for me; my arms are long and many sleeves don't reach  my wrists), and they have thumb holes.  I love the thumb holes because they keep my hands from touching the barre too much.  The barre is sometimes very cold in winter or sticky feeling in summer.  

This sweater is the perfect basic warm up for any dancer's wardrobe, regardless of your style of dance.  It is $22.95 (but currently on sale for only $14.92!) on discountdance.com.  I think it's a great value for the luxuriousness of the product.  Overall I give it a 9 out of 10 (only deduction for the possible propensity of the material to pill).