Capezio Bra-Tek Leotards

This series of leotards from Capezio features separate-cup bras instead of simple shelf linings.  They are meant to cater to dancers with larger busts who need more support in their leotards.  The bra in the size small leotards is supposed to accommodate an A/B cup, and sizes large and extra large are supposed to accommodate up to a C cup.  I think these leotards are very good quality and the features are useful to many, but they also miss the mark a little bit.

First, most dancers who seek extensive support in their leotards have large breasts (larger than a C cup).  Second, Capezio's sizing claims are a little off.  The cups in the size large leotards are not that much larger than the cups in the size small leotard, so I don't think a person with a body fitting a large leotard and a C cup would find a good fit.  Since US bra sizing is based on the relationship between the band measurement and cup measurement, I think a better sizing scale would show cup and band size.  After examining the CC110 cami style in all sizes, here's a more accurate sizing scale for the bra portion (US bra sizing):

XS= 28/30 B

S= 30/32 B

M= 34 B

L= 36 B

XL= 40 B

Dancers with large busts will unfortunately not be well accommodated in these leotards.  However, if the bra portion fits you well, this leo will be a great option for you if you struggle with any of the following issues:

1.       You have breast soreness due to puberty or menstruation.  The bra is padded and provides light support, so it will keep you from bouncing during jumps or feeling smushed during floorwork.

2.       You would like some lift.  If you have had children or have more down-turned breasts, this leotard provides the perfect amount of lift.

3.       You have headlights.  The bra is padded enough to conceal nipples.

4.       You want to add/conceal shape.  If you are flat-chested compared to your classmates, this bra will provide a little bit of shape (not too much).  If you are developing and would rather keep your shape concealed, the light padding will cover and support you (Don't worry--awkward and funny-looking shapes even out with time).

What are character parts?

Character parts (also called character roles) are parts in ballets and other story-based dance productions that rely heavily on pantomime (acting with only the body, not the voice) to carry parts of the show. 

Character parts usually require dance ability, but at a lower level and in a more “folksy” style than soloist and corps roles.  Some character parts in well-known ballets include party parents in Nutcracker.  These characters perform some dance steps, but their main purposes are filling the stage with characters that use their actions to set the scene.  Party scene in Nutcracker wouldn’t feel like a party if the families didn’t arrive and participate in the Christmas festivities.  

Sometimes villains like Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty are also character parts since they rely much more on pantomime than advanced choreography.  Any part that requires a dancer to dress in drag (such as Mother Ginger in the Nutcracker) is a character part.

Usually in local and community productions, young dancers’ parents and adult dance students perform character parts.   In professional companies, dancers alternate character parts with solo and corps work.  A dancer may portray a party mom in the first act of Nutcracker, then change her costume to appear as a mirliton or flower in act two.

Whether performed by a beginner or professional, character parts are fun, easy roles that contribute a lot to the quality of a production.

Dancewear Inspiration: Odile

This dancewear inspiration series will give you inspiration to style your dance wardrobe after your favorite ballet characters.  Whether you are looking for inspiration in an upcoming rehearsal or you're  just enjoying dressing up, I hope these looks can inspire you to have fun with your look.

Odile is the black swan character in Swan Lake.  She is more outgoing than her white swan counterpart.  She's very confident and just a touch evil.  Odile's costume is usually the same as Odette's except for the color.  I built Odile's look on the same basic gray leotard as Odette's, which helps bring their characters together even though their personalities are very different.

Help! I hate my costume!

The day has come when your teacher or artistic director presents the costumes for the upcoming performance.  And you’re…less than excited.  Whether your costume is ugly or itchy or otherwise not your fave, you will have to wear it.  Follow the tips below to make the best of it.

-- If you have a legitimate concern such as the color of the outfit blending with your skin tone or being unable to dance in such a long skirt, politely let your teacher (or artistic director or costumer) know ASAP that you think a change would be beneficial.   It is the teacher’s responsibility to listen to you and ease your concerns.  If your concern can be alleviated with alterations (like adding “bling” in a complementing color, hemming up the skirt, or making the waistband tighter), there needs to be enough time for the alterations to get done well before the show.   

--If the costume itches, digs in, or is otherwise uncomfortable, ask if a lining can be added or if you can wear something underneath like a nude leotard.  Most teachers and costumers will do their best to help you, but if your costume is something like a sequined bra top that will look all wrong if you wear something underneath, you may have to suck it up and deal. 

If you are stuck wearing an itchy costume, apply deodorant and/or body lotion on the areas of your body where the costume irritates your skin.  This will soothe the area and prevent there from being so much friction between your skin and the costume fabric.

--If you feel unsafe in a costume (like your footwear is too slippery or your vision is obscured), let your teacher know immediately.  Your teacher will provide either a costume fix or a tip for you to apply to your dance so you will feel safer.  If you know other dancers have done this role or routine in this costume before, ask them how they navigated dancing safely in costume.

--If you just don’t like the costume, unfortunately there is nothing to be done about it.  The fact that green isn’t your favorite color is not cause to re-costume the cast.  You can tell your teacher (politely or jokingly if you have a good relationship) that you don’t love the look, but don’t ask to change costumes or expect her to do anything about it.  Try to think about how your costume will look from the audience’s perspective.  You are not obligated to take backstage selfies if you are not impressed with how you look up close.

October 2016 Favorites

Here are my October Favorites for 2016!

Dancewear: Short legwarmers

As many of you know, I have chronic issues with my left ankle.  Cooler

weather, humidity, and lots of pointework all contribute to ankle soreness

for me, and all of these things seem to happen at this time of year!  I

frequently wear short legwarmers in class and rehearsal to keep one or both

ankles warm and strong.  I am currently wearing an old pair from

BodyWrappers, but I have my eye on these cute ones from Wear Moi (Izalia

short stirrup leg warmers, available from wearmoi.us in the United States).

Streetwear: Lululemon Groove Pants

Lululemon is seen as one of the top brands in yoga and athletic clothing.

Products can be expensive, but eBay always has great deals for gently used

Lululemon items in all sizes.  I am partial to a style called the Groove

Pant (both in the skinny cut and flared cut).  The fabric most Lululemon

items are made of (called Luon) is a stretchy synthetic that is soft like

cotton, so it glides on easily over ballet tights and is comfortable against

skin.  I wear my Lululemon groove pants for to the gym, for modern dance, as

warm ups over my ballet clothes, and when lounging or running errands.

(Available at Lululemon stores, lululemon.com, and ebay.com)

Makeup: Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Cream

I've been using this Korean BB Cream regularly for about 3 years.  However,

now that my skin type has changed to fairly dry without much acne or

discoloration, this is the only thing I use on my face most days (no powder,

no concealer).  I absolutely hate it when I can see foundation on my face,

and this cream doesn't do that.  It completely blends into my skin, protects

with SPF 15, and evens out skin tone with light coverage.  The only slight

downfall to this product is that it's only available in 2 colors (light,

which matches my skin perfectly, and medium, which is quite a bit darker but

still with neutral/yellow tones).  However, because it provides a sheer

blendable coverage, a perfect skin tone match isn't necessary to reap the

benefits. (Available from Sephora and sephora.com)

Skincare: Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream

Guess what my favorite brand has been lately.  I started using Cicapair this

month (it's a fairly recent launch for the brand) and immediately fell in

love.  The cream promises to hydrate dry skin and relieve sensitive skin of

redness and irritation.  For me, it's done both.  I use a small squeeze

morning and night, and my skin has been more hydrated and more even in tone

and texture.  I also think this cream smells great (a bit like ginger,

cucumber, and lemongrass--it will smell familiar if you're well versed in

Korean cuisine), and the texture is amazing (thick, but light). (Available

from Sephora and sephora.com)

Food: Strong Almond Protein Bars by Kind

Several days each week, I have multiple ballet classes or rehearsals with a

short break after each.  To refuel, I often eat snacks during my breaks.  I

need a generous serving of healthy vegan protein in each snack, and granola

bars are often the most convenient choices to meet my needs.  However,

sometimes the idea of eating a sweet snack is repelling to me (don't know

why; I put it down to an electrolyte imbalance).  These Strong bars are the

perfect solution for me.  They are limited ingredient nut-and-seed protein

bars flavored with savory spices like jalapeno and hickory barbecue.  With

about 230 calories and 10 grams of protein in each bar, they fill me with

energy without making me feel bloated.   (Available at most grocery stores)

Brand Spotlight: DecoDancewear

Professional dancer Casey Dalton started deco dancewear when an injury interrupted her ballet career.  Casey hand makes all of the skirts and leotards herself, so they can be specially made to both fit and flatter better than more mass-market options.

pronunciation	exactly as written
website	decodancewear.com
styles of dance included	ballet
types of items	bodywear
country of origin	USA
price point	moderate
quality	very good
availability	Poor availability.  Special order only through decodancewear.com
sizing	skirts: true to size (look at size chart; very slim dancers will be better accommodated in children’s sizes) leotards: true to size, chart is very accurate.  These leos run larger than other brands, but true to their own sizing.. (“extra long” option available in all sizes, which is great for long torsos like mine.  I wear an extra small extra long.)
Jillian’s top pick	classic pull-on skirt, Princess seam tank leotard
Jillian’s item to avoid	None to speak of, but production and shipping times can be lengthy (2 months or more in busy times).  However, you are getting the benefit of a custom made piece.