Friday, May 29, 2015

Sizing and Fitting updates: Wendy Slipper, Capezio Bradon Collection

Hi all!  I've been busy and under the weather, but now I'm established in my summer routine.  I intend to get you at least one post a week, but I'm setting the bar higher and aiming for two.  I also want to bring you more videos, but some of the items I want to feature are still in the mail (they'll be here soon).  If you have a topic you would like me to address in a post or video, leave a comment!



Body Wrappers Angelo Luzio has had the Wendy ballet slipper on the market for several years.  Considered an update to the tried and true yet shapeless Sansha SA1, the shoe featured thin stiff canvas and individually shaped right and left feet.  When I tried the Wendy slipper about a year and a half ago, I found it boxy, wide, and too low profile on the heel.

I tried on the same style of shoe a few weeks ago at my local dancewear store.  I noticed that the canvas looked slightly brighter pink.  When I felt it, it seemed to be stretchier than the canvas on the Wendy from last year.  When I tried on the shoe, the vamp was noticeably lower, the heel was higher, and the last seemed narrower and more tapered around the toes.  I felt as if every complaint I had about the old Wendy had been corrected.  The shoe instantly went from an un-favorite to a true fave.  I bought a pair and confidently wore them in my school's spring concert.  If you have narrow or very tapered feet and previously wrote the Wendy off as wrong for you, I encourage you to give it another try.  I think Body Wrappers has done an excellent job updating their popular product.

Capezio recently introduced the Bradon collection, a set of leotards designed by Bradon McDonald on Project Runway.  The collection features 3 leos, a long sleeved shorts unitard, and a skirt.  Most of the pieces have closely placed strips of raw-edged fabric on the bodices that create stripe or chevron designs in the same color as the body of the piece.  These leos and other pieces are attractive, fashionable, and quite pricy compared to other items in the Capezio line (The leos are $50-75 and the skirt is around $25).  

Capezio generally runs fairly true to size in all products, but these particular leos and unitard run absolutely huge.  They are very, very long in the torso and slightly wide as well.  All dancers interested in these pieces should look at one size down, possibly two sizes if you have a short torso or are not curvy at all.  Additionally, the raw edges of the detail look as if they could easily unravel if care is not taken when washing.  I think this collection is very beautiful, but I feel that the price is not a good deal for the quality, and the sizing makes it very difficult for most dancers to find a good fit.


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Tiny tips: hairspray as a stain remover

Hairspray is an amazing backstage tool for all dancers. Not only does it keep hair, pointe shoe ribbons, and other costume pieces in place, but it also quickly removes stains. If you get a pesky splotch of lipstick on your costume just moments before your call, don't fret. Spray the spot with a generous helping of hairspray and quickly scrub it with a paper towel or makeup wipe. The alcohol in the hairspray will break down the stain and make it much less noticeable. 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Back from a blogging break...announcements and more dancing!


Those of you who know me personally know that I had a big event yesterday.  I graduated from college with honors (summa cum laude)!  My degree is in communication and cultural studies.  I will be attending a communication and journalism graduate program at the same university, and it begins in August.  This summer I will focus on moving to a new house, resting (my chronic ankle injury), and honing my technique for auditions for the season (which will also happen in August).  

Before I can do that, I have a small performance of Excerpts from Don Quixote Act II: The Dream coming up next weekend!  

I will make time to post here at least once a week.  Expect some new dancewear info (sizing, style, etc.), at least one new pointe shoe review video, and other fun things to come.  If you have a topic or question you'd like to see me address, please leave a comment with your suggestion.  I love giving advice where you need it most!



Monday, April 6, 2015

Happy Easter (a little late)

Hi all--

Sorry I have been away for a few days.  I have family in town to visit, I am rehearsing for my ballet school's spring show (Excerpts from Don Quixote), and I am trying to finish up my classes so I can graduate from college!

I do not have the time to write out a full post this week, but I did do another photo shoot a couple of weeks ago.  Enjoy some pics this week, and hopefully I will have more to show soon!



Sunday, March 29, 2015

Tiny Tips: blisters


Blisters are painful and super inconvenient.  Usually blisters pop up when you are wearing a new pair of shoes that aren't broke in yet.  For class, apply a first aid drying powder to blisters, then cover them with band-aids or tape.  Try not to pop or drain them; they will eventually heal themselves.

If you have a big performance with long numbers (especially pointe variations) and your blister is very large or painful, you can drain it by gently puncturing it with a sanitized needle and very carefully pressing on it to release some of the liquid.  Try not to remove the skin from the blister; that will just make it hurt more.  Apply some drying powder, then add a band-aid or tape.

After you are finished dancing for the day, apply a square of 2nd skin (available from some drugstores or amazon.com) to the blister.  This will help the blister feel cool, stop hurting, and heal more quickly.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

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!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Tiny Tips: dancing with emotion



When you have a part in a show, your dance probably expresses emotion and helps advance the story of the piece or production.  Check with your choreographer to make sure you know what emotion you're portraying, then try to act it out every time you practice the piece.  Download the music for the piece on your phone or iPod, then listen to it and practice "being" that emotion with your face and body.  Right before showtime, think of something that makes you feel the emotion you need to "be" in the piece.  If you're dance is happy, think about a party.  If it's sad, think about a funeral.  If you need to show deep or sad emotions throughout the production, cheer yourself up afterward with a sweet treat and time with your friends.