Guide to stretching dancewear

Most dancewear is supposed to have a tight fit.  This is so your teachers can see the lines of your body, and also so extra clothing doesn't get in your way when you're moving.  Sometimes brand new dancewear can feel a little too snug when you first put it on.  This is because it will stretch when it is worn and broken in.  I'll go through some steps you can take to quicken the stretching and breaking in process.  These methods work best for stretchy items like tights, leotards, shorts, leggings, and jazz pants.  If you are dealing with a skirt or other non-stretchy item, you will probably be better off exchanging the item for a larger size.  You should also just exchange the item if you are young and growing a lot, or it the item is way to small (you feel like you need a whole size larger or more).  If a dancewear item is too large, always exchange it for the proper size.  You shouldn't dance in something that could slide off.

Here are my tips for breaking in and stretching your dancewear:

1.  Give the item a good stretch both lengthwise and widthwise.  This usually does the trick for tights that seem a little short.

2.  Put on the item and move around.  Make sure you are putting stress on the item where you want it to stretch.  If you need the thighs wider in jazz pants, do some squats.  If you need the shoulders looser in a leotard, make large arm circles.  If you want the butt to stretch in a pair of shorts, do some hip circles and really stick your butt out.  You may feel silly in the moment, but this will really help stretch the item out.

3.  If step 2 was not enough, wet the item and do the same thing.  It can be hard to put on a wet leotard, so just leave the item on and jump in the shower.  Use lukewarm water, and don't wash your hair or anything while you're in the shower.  Products like shampoo can stain dancewear.  Once you are wet, do the same moving around routine from step 2.  If you can, keep wearing the item as it dries.

4.  Usually step 3 will be all you need, but if you still need a little more stretch, sleep in the item.  Your body heat and slight sweat will continue to help form the item to your body shape.

5.  For leotards only--If all else fails, you can try this method.  This only works if your leotard has a lining (full front or shelf bra).  If the leo is a dark color or made of a thick fabric where you don't need the lining for modesty, try making a slit up each side of the lining, right next to where the lining is sewed to the sides of the leotard.  If this still isn't enough, completely cut the lining out.  Depending on how the leotard is constructed, this can make it feel up to about half a size larger.  Only use this as a last resort; always try the stretching method first.

6.  After you have stretched an item, never ever put it in the dryer.  You can wash your dancewear in the washing machine, just leave it drying flat.

I hope you found this information helpful.  If you have any questions about stretching a specific item, or if you have a go-to method, leave a comment.

Tiny Tips: Tropical smoothie for muscle cramps

Experiencing muscle cramps, especially in your legs?  If stretching and soaking don't give you the relief you're looking for, try eating more acidic citrus fruits that contain potassium.  Potassium helps relieve muscle cramps, and high acid fruits help flush out the lactic acid built up in your muscles that may make your cramps worse.

For a super-yummy tropical smoothie, combine one banana, one small can of pineapple (chunks or rings, including the juice), about 1 cup of frozen mango, and about 3/4 cup of orange juice in a blender.  Blend until smooth.  This amount fills a 24 ounce cup almost to the top.  Drink with a straw to keep the high acid fruits from hurting the enamel on your teeth.

You should notice a decrease in crampy muscle soreness within a couple hours of drinking this super smoothie!

All about tutus

The tutu is absolutely inseparable from ballet.  All little girls in ballet class dream of becoming a perfect prima who can dance in a soft pink tutu.

There are actually quite a few types of tutus, and they are used for different characters in different ballets.  I will spend the rest of this post showing photos of the different tutus and explaining what they are called and what they are used for.

Romantic tutus
This tutu is long and made of layers of tulle that are all relatively the same length.  Romantic tutus are often used in ballets like Giselle.  They are also often worn by the corps de ballet in the snow and flowers variations in the Nutcracker.









Bell tutus
These tutus were made famous in Edgar Degas's paintings.  Bell tutus are shorter than romantic tutus, but they are still draped will all the layers hitting at the same length.  Bell tutus are considered to be one of the two types of classical tutus.









Pancake tutus

Pancake tutus are the other type of classical tutu.  These skirts are made of several layers of very stiff tulle.  Every layer is a different length with the top layer sticking out the farthest.  There is a wire hoop embedded in the layers to keep the large round shape. Because these tutus are so short in length, they are often constructed on a pair of briefs.  This way the dancer wearing the tutu is covered, and the skirt won't slip around as she dances.  Most rehearsal tutus are pancake tutus.


Platter tutus
Platter tutus are similar to pancake tutus, but the top layer is flat and decorated instead of being pleated.  Lead roles in many ballets like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty wear these decorated platter tutus.






Balanchine tutus 
 This tutu, also known as the powder puff tutu, is a short tutu that doesn't stick out as far as the pancake and platter options.  There is no wire hoop in the layers, and the layers are largely the same length.  This tutu moves more with the dancer and has a soft yet full appearance.








Have you worn a tutu for performance?  What style is your favorite?  Leave a comment!

Gluing and breaking in pointe shoes

Here I show you how I glue my dead pointe shoes to give them a little bit more life.  Because this method only gives shoes about 4 hours more wear time, when I glue my shoes, I usually start breaking in a new pair as well.

Remember that the methods I use are more appropriate for advanced dancers who have had many pairs of pointe shoes in the past and know exactly how to break them in for their feet.  If you are pointe beginner, always talk to your teacher before you do anything to break in your shoes.

Comment with any specific pointe shoe questions!

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.

Tiny Tips: breaking in new shoes (with heels)

To break in a pair of heels like character shoes or ballroom shoes, put them on and wear them around the house.  Make sure you rise onto the balls of your feet to break in the demi pointe.  If the shoes have suede soles, brush them with a wire suede brush to remove any dust and rough them up for class.  If the shoes have leather soles, wear them walking aournd in a concrete driveway for a few minutes to make sure the soles are not dangerously slick.

These methods work great for men's oxford style character and ballroom shoes as well.

Happy Halloween, continued

Here I am (on my way to a friend's Halloween party) in my full peacock getup!  I am wearing Capezio 1816 black tights, and my peacock tail is attached to my teal Body Wrappers knit shorts.  It was a little too chilly for a leotard, so I put on my long sleeved teal shirt and navy blue Mardi Gras beads instead. 

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween?  Leave a comment about your creative costume!