Tuesday, October 22, 2024

A Beginner's Guide to Choosing Dance Leotards

source: pinterest.com

 When people talk about dancers, they often imagine them wearing leotards. These dancing suits are essential and the thing dancers are most recognised for. They were invented by a man named Jules Leotard in the 19th century. He made them to be his trapeze performance clothing to make himself more comfortable and not restrict his movements. However, dancers soon realised how cosy these suits were and started wearing them during practice and on stage.

Evolution of Leotards

Ever since they were created, leotards have gone through a lot of changes when it comes to their design and purpose. They originated in the 1950s and were originally made for circus stage performances. When the 70s came, people started wearing them in other places. Some of them wore them at the gym and some even used them as a school clothing.

When brands saw their popularity they started making them in many colours and patterns. Leotards became a cosy and comfortable piece of clothing made of different materials. The most popular by far was polyester. However, as materials evolved and technology advanced, we got to see leotards made of completely new materials.

During the 80s spandex and Lycra were on the rise and took over the world by storm. Because of their elastic properties, they became the number one material choice. They were comfortable, and flexible and didn’t restrict any movement. Nowadays, modern leotards are often made of materials such as velour, cotton and velvet.


Types of Leotards

It may surprise you to see how many different types of figure-flattering dancewear leotards there are on the market. It's best to have a general idea of the kind of leotard you'll need before you go shopping. Will it be for practice or for stage performance? Your age, gender and personal preferences will also have a big influence.


Camisole

source: dancestorenz.co.nz

The camisole is one of the most popular leotards of all time. You can also find it under the name “cami leotard”. They have a very simple and clean design and often have adjustable straps. This makes them super easy to fit. You have 2 options for the back, an open or a straight back. Camisoles are a great choice for beginner dancers and always come without sleeves.


Tank

This one is sleeveless and also referred to as a "tank top leotard." The straps are the biggest difference between it and a cami. They look a lot like a tank top because they’re wider. A tank leotard is considered a classic piece of clothing among dancers. There are a lot of dance studios that have them as their dance costume mainly because of how comfortable they are.


Halter

The halter leotard features straps that wrap around the dancer's neck rather than coming to the back. They have a stand-up collar which is made of soft materials or they can have a short zipper. If you put down the zipper you’ll get more ventilation and breathability. But if you’re in a colder room, put the zipper up and you’ll feel warmer. If you have a broader chest, this is the perfect leotard for you because it has some extra fabric that covers that area.


Sleeve Leotards

Sleeved leotards come in a variety of styles. The cap sleeve is the first one. The fabric covers just the top of the shoulder where the sleeve should start. Because of this they almost look like they’re sleeveless. The whole sleeve design looks like a cap, hence the name. The second type is the short-sleeved dancewear leotards. In certain cases, they can have a scooped neck.

The third type is long-sleeved leotards. They're great for colder weather and are usually the first choice of dancers during the winter because they keep the muscles warm and create a nice elongated silhouette. In order to keep them from sliding upward, the sleeves sometimes have cuffs that extend down to the wrists. There are also ¾ sleeves that cover just the top half of the arm.


Skirted

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This dance leotard version has a very beautiful appearance. It features a little skirt that partially hides the behind and thighs. The skirt is perfectly positioned to give the impression that the waist and torso are longer. It's one of the favourites of stage performers because of the way it looks and feels.


What to Consider when Buying

Neckline Options

There are several neckline options. The scooped neck slides down elegantly and it has an even curve that stands between the shoulders. The boat neck covers the shoulders and it’s more closed around the back. There are also mock neck leotards for sale that have a square-shaped neckline and don’t go below the shoulders.

You must have seen the turtleneck-style leotard. It's very recognisable because it covers the shoulders and there’s a cuff around the neck that covers the neck as well. You can also find a V-shaped neckline and a sweetheart one. They're very similar. One has straight lines and the other is slightly curved. Last but not least, asymmetrical necklines. They provide uneven coverage of the shoulders and can vary in shape.


Material

When making leotards, manufacturers use only the best materials. The most common one is microfibre. This synthetic material has great moisture-wicking properties. It'll keep you dry during your practice or performance. Dry skin also means less or no chafing at all.

They also use Lycra. It's shiny, stretchable and often combined with cotton. This way you get the best of both worlds, comforts, elasticity and moisture-wicking properties. Some of the other base materials are spandex, polyester and nylon and they’re combined with velvet, lace, tulle and jacquard.


Colour

When it comes to colour, pink is the most common choice for female dancers, especially beginners. It's a classic choice that matches almost all skin tones and looks great on anyone. But if pink is not your thing, there are plenty of other colours to choose from, black, white, purple, yellow, green, grey and plenty more. Plus, you have pattern choices as well.


Size

Don't buy the leotard before trying it out. Put it on, move around, do some simple dance moves and see how it feels on you. Don't let it slip around or be too tight in some places. Look for a nice fit that hugs your body and won’t restrict your movements.

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