Camisole Ballet

How to Use a Leotard for an Effective Dance Costume

Leotards make a great base for a highly effective dance costume as they're formfitting and allow both the teacher and audience to see the placement of the dancer's body. They're available in many different styles such as tank, camisole, cap sleeve, long sleeve, polo neck, frilled and skirted.

Tank leotards are the most basic of all leotards as they consist of a simple sleeveless tank-style torso. Camisole leotards are similar to tank leotards but they have thinner shoulder straps which allow for more intricate designs such as a double strap, criss-cross back, lattice back or rib back. Cap sleeve leotards have short sleeves, and are similar to long sleeved leotards in that they can have several variations in design such as an open back or ruche.

Leotards offer huge potential when it comes to colour and range of materials. Leotards are mostly available in either Nylon Lycra, which has a slight shine or Cotton Lycra which has a matt finish. Other fabrics used for leotards include velour, glistening, hologram and various printed fabrics. Velour has the rich appearance and feel of velvet, whereas glistening and hologram fabrics have a light reflective quality to create a glittery or sparkly effect. Leotards made from printed fabrics are available in prints ranging from tiger or zebra through to harlequin and rainbow.

One of the areas of greatest exploration is the use of colour as this has a direct impact on the audience's emotions. Nylon Lycra and Cotton Lycra are available in a wide variety of colours which means that even the most basic of leotards can be used to either contrast or harmonise with the themes explored by the dance. Certain colours can be used to express certain emotions such as red to express anger or green for envy. Colour can also be used to portray temperature as colours similar to violet to create a cold feeling whereas orange evokes a feeling of warmth.

Dance leotards are often only available in a small selection of colours which are predetermined by the manufacturer. However, there are a small number of dance retailers that produce make-to-order dance leotards and dance costumes. This creates a massive opportunity to really explore the effect that costume can have on your dance. As well as significantly increasing the number of colours you can choose your leotard in, it also means that there is the possibility to use printed fabrics such as Rainbow, Zebra, Polka Dot and many more.

About the Author

Dance Gear Direct are experts in providing dancewear with over 30 years experience. For more information about our extensive range of ballet leotards available in over 80 fabrics, colours and styles please visit our website www.dancegeardirect.co.uk.

Ballet Uniform Prices.?

My daughter is starting ballet. Are these prices too expensive ?

$16 for an hour class.
$65 for Energetiks Low V Back Camisole with Skirt
$11.50 for Fiesta Micro-Basic Footed Tights
$36 for Energetiks Leather Full Sole Ballet Shoe

If these are too expensive , where else can I buy them ?

I live in Sydney, Australia.

I think they sound reasonable, except for maybe the $65 uniform, but it's probably pretty nice.

Usually, dance studios offer "bulk rate" classes. If you take multiple classes per week, you get a discount. Ask about it.

Velvet Camisole Leotard

Capezio Women's Ultra Soft Transition Body Tight Capezio®'s adult body tight offers clear adjustable straps, a CoolMax® gusset and slit on foot. This tight has a front and back seam. All tights are a final sale, no returns or exchanges except for defective merchandise....

Capezio Women's Ultra Soft Body Tights $18.90 86% Tactel Nylon, 14% Spandex Matching elastic fabric straps attached Transition opening allows the tight to be worn as a full foot or footless Front and back seams Dyed-to-match gusset Hand wash cold, hang dry...

Capezio Women's Camisole Leotard With Adjustable Straps Best seller 90% Cotton, 10% Lycra Spandex Scoop front V-back Moderate legline Adjustable straps with metal sliders and loops White, Pink have full front lining All others feaTurquoisee self fabric shelf bra lining Also available in child sizes Machine wash cold, delicate cycle, hang dry...

Capezio Women's Princess Camisole Leotard Best seller 90% Cotton, 10% Lycra Spandex Princess seamsModerate V-front and back Ballet legline Adjustable straps with metal sliders and loops White, Pink have full front lining All others feaTurquoisee self fabric shelf bra lining Also available in child sizes Machine wash cold, delicate cycle, hang dry...

Capezio Girls 7-16 Camisole Leotard W/ Adjustable Straps This Capezio® camisole leotard features adjustable and removable straps, a low scoop back and a ballet cut leg line. Child leotard is fully front lined in nude and suntan colors only.  Hand wash in cold water, hang dry....

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