bust support during performances

[Guest pointedancer518]

I tried to search for an answer, but all of the topics that I found had to do with class. I have a performance coming up, and in the past I have just worn a very tight leotard under my costume, but I have a different costume this year and the leotard won't work. My teacher has recommended wrapping myself with an ace bandage, but I did this once and it ended up slipping and not providing much support. A girl I used to dance with, who was also very busty, once wrapped herself in duct tape, but it makes my mom cringe, and she has begged me not to do it. My goal is to smash myself down and make sure that I don't bounce. I know that this probably isn't a problem for most dancers, but I am hoping that someone can help me.

[SeaMonkey]

There's an easy way to use duct tape that is not scary. Wrap it around you sticky side up, so that its not against your skin, then tape over that so that there's not any sticky parts against your skin or facing out for your costume.

 

You can also wrap yourself with old tights instead of an ace bandage.

[Guest pointedancer518]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. How would the tights work? I can't picture how to wrap them. The duct tape idea sounds really good. I brought the costume home so I could experiment, so I will try that tomorrow

[Mel Johnson]

I'm not sure how the tights would work either, but instead of duct tape, I'd recommend a tape that's intended to be used in contact with skin, like a waterproof sports tape.

[kriskoekk]

I'm not very big busted, but I've had to use the tape method before for costumes that just didn't have any lining or any other way to support. I might suggest getting a strapless bra, preferably one of the tube top styles, and then using athletic tape over that. Look for the widest athletic tape you can find, and try to find cloth based. That way it won't stick to you skin as much. An ace bandage should work to if it is wrapped tightly--think Christina Ricci's character in "Now and Then".

[SeaMonkey]

I had a friend use the tights once. I think what she did was just use one of the legs, wrap it around her, then pinned it in place. This was a long time ago, so I'm not sure.

 

The tape thing was told me by my costume contruction teacher.

[Guest pointedancer518]

Thank you so much everyone. I will try them all this week and see what works the best.

[JonsCowgirl]

I am not really supposed to post here, so delete it if you want. There is a product called Vetrap, also sometimes called a co-flex bandage made out of a material that sticks to itself but not to skin, it is stretchy and is made to contact skin. Doctors sometimes use it, and we use it with our horses. Any horse supply store would carry it. You can get it is many colors so that you can find a color that works with your costume and will not show. it is about 4 inches wide so you would have to wrap it a couple times around. Good luck!

Alex

[DanceAngel]

JonsCowgirl,

What a great sugession. Do you think a regular vet would carry it? Or possible a pet store?

[Guest pointedancer518]

That is a great idea! I will go down to our feed store today and pick some up (one of the advantages of living out in the country!).

[missvjc420]

Knock knock...

 

In Florida, Eckerd's carries this product under the brand name Coban- it's a 3m product. Man, how I miss home in December....

[Guest pointedancer518]

Yes, I know what you are talking about. But it was 4 dollars as compared to 2 dollars at the feed store. I decided that I would stick with the cheap stuff, as it is identical as the kind at Eckerds.

 

Off topic, my mom grew up in Oregon and when it rained yesterday (we had a cold front coming in, yay!), she mentioned how if we lived in Oregon it would be like that all winter! Oregon is sure beautiful in the summer though!

[Guest pointedancer518]

Just wanted to let you all know that our last performance was last night and everything went pretty well (after the air conditioning was turned on it was great!) The Vetrap worked wonderful! I couldn't breathe very well, but that was a small price to pay! Thank you all for the help!