| Ballet costume design is pretty serious business. | | | | years. Young children should be dressed very |
| Mom's and Dad's across the country spend | | | | conservatively. Don't be "that Mom". The one with |
| many hours trying to create the perfect | | | | the eight year old dressed like a provocative |
| costume for their child's recital. You can't blame | | | | teenager in a leotard with a plunging neckline or a |
| them, as some of their children's most precious | | | | pair of heels more fit for a night out on the town |
| memories will center around those dances and | | | | than ballet costumes. |
| especially the costumes that they wear. | | | | Finally, use materials that are forgiving. No dance |
| Getting started on costume design is a three-part | | | | costumes should be constricting. Fabrics should |
| process. First, consider your child's character in the | | | | stretch and move with the dancer. Dancers |
| production. The basic guidelines of the costume will | | | | should not feel like they are fighting against their |
| be laid out right here. As a matter of fact, your | | | | dance costumes to perform a pirouette or a |
| child's teacher may have already given you some | | | | developé. There are lot's of synthetic as well as |
| basic guidelines for your child's costume based on | | | | natural fabrics for you to choose from. |
| their part in the production. Follow them. They are | | | | Remember to always have fun and let your child |
| your most important consideration. | | | | be an active participant in the design of their |
| Second, consider the age of your child. One of | | | | costume. They are going to remember these |
| the most glaring mistakes that some parents | | | | moments forever. |
| make is dressing their kids up well beyond their | | | | |