What is Dancewear?

are a range of items commonly worn by dancersreasons. They accentuate the legs, show the
and known as dancewear. The types of dancingfeet, and give freedom of movement. Tights are
covered by the term dancewear include ballet,usually made of nylon, cotton or lycra, or blends
urban dance, and tap dancing. Dancewear itemsof these materials. Tights can be footed,
are also worn by other types of performer, suchunfooted, or with a stirrup to keep them from
as acrobats, circus performers and some rockrolling up the leg.
musicians. Certain types of dancewear have alsoLegwarmers are like long footless socks made of
become popular as fashion items with the generalwool-type fabric, and are used by dancers to
public.keep their calf muscles warm and so avoid strain
Ballet shoes, also known as ballet slippers, are wellinjuries to their muscles, ligaments and tendons.
known items of dancewear. Made specifically forThis is another item of dancewear that has
the purpose, they are soft to the touch and lightbecome a fashion item with the general public.
in weight and colour. They are in fact a precursorLeotards are one-piece items of clothing that
to pointe shoes, which are specially designed tocover the body but not the legs. Skin-tight and
allow the dancer to stand on their toes. Balletusually worn with tights, leotards can be
shoes are worn by trainee ballet dancers until theirlong-sleeved, short-sleeved, or without sleeves.
feet and toes are strong enough to allow them toThey were made famous by a French acrobat of
stand ‘en pointe’ meaning on thethe same name who was born in 1839. Leotards
tips of their toes. Then they graduate to pointeare popular dancewear items, used both as
shoes, which are also known as ‘toepractice garments and performance costumes.
shoes’.Unitards are like leotards and tights combined.
Pointe shoes tend to be worn by female dancersThey cover the legs and sometimes the arms
for dancing on the tips of their toes. This type oftoo. In addition to being a popular item of
dancing is one of the classic attractions of balletdancewear, unitards are also worn by rock stars,
and demands great skill and strength. While femalewrestlers, circus performers, gymnasts and
dancers normally wear pointe shoes, male dancersacrobats.
use this item of dancewear only occasionally, forA tutu is a skirt worn by ballerinas for ballet
specific roles.performances. Tutus that stick out horizontally
Tap shoes are worn for tap dancing which is aare known as ‘pancake’ tutus,
highly rhythmic and percussive dance form thatand need to be carried in a special round bag to
originated in North America in the nineteenthkeep them in their correct shape. Other types of
century. These items of dancewear incorporatetutu can hang down, and these can be carried in
small metal plates in their heels and toes. Thesenormal clothes bags. Both pancake tutus and
are used to make rhythmic tapping sounds on thehanging tutus can be made in single or multiple
dance floor. So in addition to being dance shoes,layers.
tap shoes are musical instruments like castanetsAll of these dancewear items can be bought
or drums that are ‘played’ by theonline, where you can browse the items you are
tap dancer.interested in. Whether you are a professional
Tights are a popular item of dancewear. They aredancer or a student, you will find something to
a form of light, tight trouser that fits closely tosuit your needs and there are many good deals
the body and are made from thin, stretchableto be found.
material. They are ideal for dancing for many