to wear or not to wear...?

[Guest twoleftfeet]

Hi,

This my first posting on this site and so far l've found some interesting and useful info.

I've a question to put past you guys to see what you may think.

I've recently started ballet again after 16 years I'm now 32 (getting on a bit I know!) And I'm really enjoyng it, I've found a good class with a talented and patient teacher( something I need)

But at the moment I'm wearing joggers which I feel hot and uncomftable in but feel weary about changing to tights. Personally I don't have a problem with them as I used to wear them when I was younger, I'm more concerned about my fellow students (middle aged ladies) and what they might think.

Has anyone else had this same dilemma or am I being a bit silly?

 

Anyway your thouhts would be most welcome

 

PS. any of you guys from the UK know of any good makes of tights, M.Stevens and Mirella seem to be impossible to get hold of?

[Mel Johnson]

As long as you're properly dance belted, I see no reason why you should feel uncomfortable about wearing tights to class. That is, unless you have a 50-inch waist, in which case, you're going to have trouble finding ANY maker's tights.

[MJ]

As long as you're properly dance belted, I see no reason why you should feel uncomfortable about wearing tights to class.  That is, unless you have a 50-inch waist, in which case, you're going to have trouble finding ANY maker's tights.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Mel,

I just saw "the Incredibles" this weekend. Mr Incrdible had a 50-in waist and wore tights! Nowhere to hide that belly! I'm surprised the belly did not jiggle more.

 

Two Left,

No need to worry, balck tights hide almost everything. I think there is another 2leftfeet here on the boards, you may want to choose another alias.

 

-MJ

[Guest twoleftfeet]

Just thought I'd set the record straight....I have a 32" waist!!

I've noticed the same name thing...'spose I better change it but it suits me so well!

[Mr Robin]

Hi

 

I shared your worries when I first started my class in the company of mostly middle-aged ladies. Half of them wear tights and leotards, though, so I saw no reason that I shouldn't wear tights too. If ballet's taken pretty seriously in your class, ie people are there to learn rather than just to keep fit, it'll be no problem at all - you can't be taught effectively if the teacher can't see your legs!

 

As to good makes, mens tights are very hard to come by in the UK - I've resorted to mail-ordering M.Stevens tights from the States before, which remarkably involves little more time and effort than ordering in the UK! The only decent brand I've found in this country is Repetto, which are available from the Gamba shop in Covent Garden. They do mail order, though, if you don't visit the Smoke that often. They're actually a unisex cotton/lycra footed tight, but they're opaque enough to be fine for men.

 

The other option is Aurora Dancewear, who custom-make dancewear by mail order. I don't actually like their tights as much as the Repettos, but they do make a range of unitards with footed legs. There's one in particular (called 'Brazo', I think) that is basically a pair of tights with suspender braces - I have a couple of pairs of these and they're great. They'll make them in funky colours, too, if that's to your taste! Check out their website - www.auroradancewear.co.uk.

[Guest DerfDude04]

I've watched adult classes at my studio, and there around 3-4 older men in the class. They all wear tights to class, and the women do not have a problem with it at all.

[Jaana Heino]

Knock, knock --

 

as an adult female ballet student, I would at any time rather look at a male fellow student in proper ballet gear than one at random pieces of sport wear - that is, if I had the time in class to pay attention to anything else but not messing up my own work.

[Guest twoleftfeet]

Thanks guys for the replies.

I attended my first class in tights and although felt apprehensive at first soon completly forgot about it and settled into class, and danced much better. I really felt the part and the freedom of movement they allowed me made such a difference!

[Guest Aleksander]

Fine, I think that all guys should read this topic.

 

I think that it would be easier for everyone if all ballet schools/studios ask girls/women to wear leotards + pink tights and men to wear real tights; properly shoes for everyone and tidy hair-do for women.

 

 

Sometimes I am sick to watch all those baggy crap in ballet classes.

 

It is probably because of all these modern dancers, who are trying to hide bad feet and not streched knees.

[Mel Johnson]

But don't overlook the bad ballet dancers, who are trying to hide the same things!

[Guest Aleksander]

You are of course right !

 

I meant that it started with modern dancers...

 

I think that people wearing twenty pairs of wool warmers (you know, hip warmers, legs warmers, feet warmers, three or more sweatshirts and so on) trying to hide something.

 

Did I mention bodylines??

Edited November 22, 2004 by Aleksander

[Mel Johnson]

I also believe that "grunge chic" which is SO last year, by the way, has something to do with chronically underheated rehearsal halls and studios in a lot of places. It also borrows a little bit from "gangsta chic" and its saggy baggy clothes which recall being in a jail cell and deprived of belts and shoelaces.

[Guest Aleksander]

oh yes

 

I really miss all these tidy ballet dancers !!! Watch "Agon" and see how beautiful they look in their leotards, tighs and BALLET shoes, knowing that Balanchine as "costumes" used their training clothes.

[Guest Will]

Hi,

This my first posting on this site and so far l've found some interesting and useful info.

I've a question to put past you guys to see what you may think.

I've recently started ballet again after 16 years I'm now 32 (getting on a bit I know!) And I'm really enjoyng it, I've found a good class with a talented and patient teacher( something I need)

But at the moment I'm wearing joggers which I feel hot and uncomftable in but feel weary about changing to tights. Personally I don't have a problem with them as I used to wear them when I was younger, I'm more concerned about my fellow students (middle aged ladies) and what they might think.

Has anyone else had this same dilemma or am I being a bit silly?

 

Anyway your thouhts would be most welcome

 

PS. any of you guys from the UK know of any good makes of tights, M.Stevens and Mirella seem to be impossible to get hold of?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well done for starting out again ! If you think 32 is mature try - 44yrs. Like you I had my third llesson last week - great fun. Keeping fit and toning up - much

better than jogging ! As for tights - I use Danskin leggings and they are cool and comfortable. Good luck.

[Dance_Scholar_London]

Twoleftfeet, try the tights from Bloch. "Only" 13 GBP and they are not too bad :-)