Today, there are innumerable garments in Australia designed to suit different forms of dance. Without them, it would be challenging to perform gracefully.
These garments are collectively called dancewear and have unique design functions. They are designed to support complex body movements and to move flawlessly with the body parts.
Dancewearshould also fulfil the requirements of looking stunning and attractive. The point is to make a dancer stand out and be noticeable from the stage. Bright, eye-catching colours, well-designed cuts, and specific material help achieve the purpose of being comfortable for the wearer while looking gorgeous. Unrestricted movement is a vital criterion for these clothes.
There are some specialized purposes that these garments serve like:
- Wicking fabrics- Keeps away sweat and moisture.
- Extremely stretchable- The material stretches with each movement.
- Durability- The material has to withstand rough wear and use over long periods.
Here are some vital elements of dancewear:
- Leotards:
It is an article of tight one-piece clothing that covers the torso but not the legs. Generally, people wear it with a pair of tights. It is available in different styles including,
- Camisole
- Long-sleeved leotards
- Tank
- Skirted
- Frilled
It is popular due to the flexibility it provides. It is worn for practice and performances and provides the utmost comfort for the wearer. Dancers prefer it due to its flexibility and durability. And are worn for both practice and performances.
- Tights:
This garment is yet another indispensable element for dancing. It is a thin, light, and stretchable fabric that hugs the contours of the legs. It is not restricted to a specific dance and is worn by dancers who practice different forms and are comfortable across the spectrum.
They help accentuate the legs while allowing complete freedom for movement. Tights are available in footed and footless types.
Some even have a stirrup that prevents the garment from riding up and keeps it in place. Today there are even convertible tights that let the wearer pull up the tights through a reinforced hole at the bottom.
3. Tutu:
This garment is certainly what rushes into one’s mind when one thinks ballet. It is a particular type of skirt that ballerinas wear while performing ballet. Think of the iconic Blackswan costume or Ace Ventura’s (for comic effect).
It is a magical-looking dress that accentuates all the graceful movements of a ballerina exaggerating the effect of the performance.
Tutu is available in various forms, of which “pancake” is easily the most popular. It has multiple layers of the net that extend from the waist. They look spectacular while in performance. In addition, it gives freedom to view the legs that do most of the work in this dance.
4. Ballet Shoes:
It is not possible to perform ballet without the help of these accessories. They are specifically designed to suit the ballet dancer’s needs. They protect the feet while being soft to the touch and very malleable. They allow complete freedom for the feet, for instance, in the case of the pointe techniques.
They are made from satin, leather, or canvas, all materials that can bend with the movements and are lightweight. Ballet shoes also have a characteristic colour. They are light and are available in pink and whites. In addition, however, there are unconventional dark colours, like red, gold, or black.
Beginners wear these shoes to learn to stand on their toes or perform the “en pointe” technique. It almost allows the ballerinas to float around as if they are weightless.
It is essential to have the right tools to fix a specific issue. Similarly, the right accessories and clothing are indispensable for dancers to perform their function optimally.