ballet leotard theory

[Guest Hilarie]

This may be a stupid question. I'm new, though, so I'm allowed.

 

Okay, here's the question: Why are ballet leotards only made in solid colors and a few basic styles?

 

And a follow-up question: I own a couple zillion gymnastics leotards (high front covering collarbones, scoop back but high so you can wear a bra) with prints, velvet, sparklies, holographic stuff, you name it. I have a couple of ballet leos that I try to wear to class if possible, but sometimes I'm just too lazy to do the laundry So, where do you draw the line? Is the style I mentioned in basic black okay to wear for ballet? What if it has a different color on the top and bottom, or a print?

 

And, because I'll probably get asked this question, no there is no dress code for my current class... but I'm thinking of taking classes somewhere else in the fall, and I'd just like to know this stuff for future reference. Thanks.

[Guest luna]

Here's my opinion, but by no means the most authoritative one!

Placement and line are so important in ballet, and I think that flashy printed leotards really distract, focusing attention on the garment rather than the body underneath it.

[koshka]

I would draw the line at

--no wild fabrics (hologram, metallic, etc.)--I go to lots of

gymnastics meets, so I've seen it all and then some

 

--at most 2 solid colors--for example, one solid color with contrasting

trim, or solid-color top with different solid-color bottom.

 

--if you have a solid-color leo with an unusual cut, I wouldn't think

that's a big deal

 

I don't know why there's such a big distinction--line _should_ matter

for gymnastics too. Gymnastics practice stuff seems a lot more similar

to competition gear than ballet practice / class stuff is to performance

costumes. Maybe ballet is just more "traditional".

[Guest Hilarie]

I would draw the line at

--no wild fabrics (hologram, metallic, etc.)--I go to lots of

gymnastics meets, so I've seen it all and then some

 

[...]

 

I don't know why there's such a big distinction--line _should_ matter

for gymnastics too.  Gymnastics practice stuff seems a lot more similar

to competition gear than ballet practice / class stuff is to performance

costumes.  Maybe ballet is just more "traditional".

Thanks, koshka. I have to agree with your "I've seen it all and then some"... I'm SO glad that I stopped competing in gymnastics before everyone started wearing the plasticky-looking hologram leotards. I tried one on once... it's like wearing very unforgiving Saran Wrap

 

And yes, line should matter in gymnastics as much as in dance. However, the emphasis is not as great, and many judges will score a girl with horrible dance well if she has impressive tumbling, for example. (I always liked the judges who rewarded good dance ) Gymnastics leotards give a much "stronger" look, making the shoulders look wide for example. Not exactly desireable for ballet. It's hard to fault the design, though, because gym leotards HAVE to accomodate a sports bra or nobody over age 13 will buy them. Ain't no "shelf bra" gonna keep you in there.

 

I saw a one-shouldered leo, maybe on Discount Dance... I thought it was weird, because it seems that it would make you look really lopsided. Wonder if anyone actually buys those...

[Guest karenfixe]

There are two teenage girls at my studio that have those one-shouldered leotards. They look ok in them, but they're also a bit small up top, even though they're about 17 yrs old. I don't know, maybe I'm a purist or something, but the asymetrical look is distracting and not as flattering while moving than it looks on the page.

 

Just my $0.02...

[dancepig]

I have a lot of different leotards, and a few relics (from the late 1970's - early 80's)that I pull out for rehearsals. Since I live in New England, the majority of mine are either 3/4 sleeve or long sleeved, but range in color from slate blue to purple to pine green then your basic black, but I have some with a textured fabric. Some are in a stretch velvet but most are in the new tencel. I love that fabric and would never wear the all nylon or lycra again. I have several that have mock t-neck with zippers, and a lot with the boat neck. Then I have too many printed skirts that go with these. It helps with not having to do the laundry more than once a week, plus it's fun! Also, I have four classes per week and they tend to get a little ratty looking from all the wear and tear. I am fortunate that my vendor will just mail them to me if she gets in one that she thinks I'll like, if I don't like, I just send it back, no problem. But they are out there. In fact, ABT has a very nice black leo with a mesh type fabric on the sleeve and around the top. You used to be able to purchase it online at the Capezio site, but I can't get that site to work any more, I don't know what happened to it, anyone else know what happened to the Capezio website? Anyway, I know the majority of the leotards are either black or pink or white, and most are camisole (and that's because the younger/thinner dancers look more graceful with this type of leotard), but if your teacher allows you to be creative, and you're not too worried about your line (if you are you can wear a hip belt instead of a skirt), there are some options out there.

[dancepig]

Well, I found out what happened to the Capezio website. Basically nothing, I had the incorrect url But if anyone is interested in the ABT leotard, here is the real website:

Capezio Website

 

Then if you chose ABT, then Illusion, it's item #9574

[Guest BBNButterscotch]

At my school we are required to wear black leos, pink tights and pink slippers, because my teacher thinks it looks more professional.

[koshka]

The black leo/pink tights combination is mandatory for adult classes?!? Yikes.

 

I have one teacher who has let it be known that after seeing the young ones in their uniform leotards all afternoon, colored leotards are a nice diversion. This teacher has also been known to group people for combinations based on leotard color.

[Funny Face]

Hi Koshka -- one of the ballet teachers at the university does that too. It's really cute. 'Let's have everyone in green or blue in group number one." I know she enjoys that little bit of mixing it up. But she does have to draw the line at certain things, such as insisting on tights. We get a few 'modernists' that like to do class in cut off sweats and bare legs, and she'll make an overly exaggerated expression of mock horror. We also have our problems with keeping the studios at just the right temperature which induces all manner of cover-up. We've tried opening the windows in the past to get a nice breeze, which is wonderful, but the birds then fly in from the gigantic oak trees and do terrible things to the marley floor and are impossible for maintenance to trap up in the rafters. I guess the birds love the piano music ...