| One of the main reasons for wearing the correct | | | | distort the body and in competitive dance, it can hinder |
| dance costumes for a particular dance style is to | | | | dancers as the judge cannot correctly see the |
| evoke the feeling, style and period of the dance. | | | | alignment of the body. |
| Dancing is physical so comfort is high on the agenda. | | | | Dance costumes have definitely evolved with time and |
| With comfort also comes safety as a salsa dancer | | | | do change depending on certain fashion trends but |
| would not want to be wearing a full, bellowing skirt | | | | their core is always steeped in tradition. Take ballroom |
| although they would when carrying out a ballroom | | | | dancewear for example. Known to be originated in |
| dancing routine. | | | | the late 18th and early 19th centuries, ballroom dancing |
| Dance costumes are specifically designed and | | | | was performed only by the elite class at parties and |
| constructed to aid the dancer in each particular dance, | | | | balls. The graceful nature of the dance means even |
| to be comfortable, unrestrictive and enhance the | | | | modern day ballroom dancewear has the gracefulness |
| dancer’s for the dance. Dance is such a visual | | | | that the clothing had at the time the dance originated |
| sport that costumes do play a huge role and they also | | | | but it has now been combined with the latest fabrics |
| help the dancer get into the role within the routine. A | | | | so it is far easier for the dancer to perform. |
| ballroom costumes for example will be flowing and | | | | When discussing dance costumes, the main focus is |
| give a graceful feel whilst an argentine tango | | | | on usually on the female costume but male costumes |
| costumes will be fitted and more revealing to match | | | | are just as important albeit more understated. It is very |
| the style of the dance. Dance costumes are now far | | | | important for the male costumes to complement the |
| more comfortable and allow for far more movement | | | | females in style and often a hint of the same colour is |
| today. Lycra and other technical fabrics allow the | | | | integrated into the male costume as well. A man’s |
| costumes designer to design the most intricate and | | | | costume must enable him to lift the female if the |
| show stopping clothing. You only need to look at the | | | | dance requires it and in routines where he must slide |
| Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars | | | | along the floor, knee protection pads for example need |
| programmes. | | | | to be added. These are all factors that need to be |
| Colour plays a huge role in the look of the costumes | | | | taken into account by the costume designer. With such |
| which then, in turn, can portray a different image of the | | | | technical specifications and purposes, the testing out of |
| dance. A classic and beautiful waltz costume would | | | | costumes in rehearsals is imperative especially before |
| suit a pastel shade whereas for a fiery tango, it would | | | | a competitive dance routine. The costumes must |
| be red or black for example, most definitely not a | | | | withstand the dance, protect the dancer and enable |
| pastel shade. It is rare to see a dance costume made | | | | them to move freely. From an aesthetic point of view, |
| fully in a patterned fabric. A patterned fabric can | | | | it must also complement the dance. |
