dance shorts vs. skirts?

[opie]

I have an odd question. My teacher does not let us wear shorts (even tight fitting dance shorts) after the first few barre exercises. If we are wearing shorts we must either switch to a skirt or have nothing extra over our leotard. I suppose it doesn't really matter, but I'm simply curious. Is there any technical reason for this or is it just a personal preference?

[Victoria Leigh]

And why do you need either one? Most professional schools do not allow anything over your leotard and tights, except perhaps the skirt for pointe classes. Shorts are not considered acceptable for classical ballet classes.

[NHBnutcracker]

Hmm- at my studio, many students wear shorts to keep their hips warm. Of course, they are taken off after barre, but we are allowed to wear them!

 

Oh, whoops, I just realized that this is in the 17-22 forum, not the 13 forum, sorry for posting!

[opie]

Mrs. Leigh, my teacher allows them (dance shorts) for the first few barre exercises if we want to wear them. Many students in my school wear skirts. I don't need shorts, I was just curious . I suppose it does look more professional without dance shorts or skirts.

[Victoria Leigh]

I would not allow them under any circumstances. Sorry. If you want to wear shorts, go to the gym or take up a sport.

[generic]

I have an odd question. My teacher does not let us wear shorts (even tight fitting dance shorts) after the first few barre exercises. If we are wearing shorts we must either switch to a skirt or have nothing extra over our leotard. I suppose it doesn't really matter, but I'm simply curious. Is there any technical reason for this or is it just a personal preference?

 

 

Officially, shorts aren't really recommended for us, but no one seems to have a problem if we wear them. For me, it's a modesty issue. I'm fairly comfortable with my body, but I like the top part of my thighs to be covered. Maybe one day I'll get over it.

[Mel Johnson]

The main thing is that they make legs look horrid! Long through the waist, short through the thigh and worst of all, heavy in the thigh!!! If you've got a somatic dysphoria (you hate how your body looks), dance is a good business not to get into.

[Isabeara]

Oh my goodness, that made me laugh! Isn't it quite possible that standing in front of mirrors your entire life or simply just having to wear only a leotard and tights causes so called somatic dysphoria?

[saved904]

i think when you dance you should be confertable with your body and self image if you arent you normally dont dance very well cause your all caught up in how you look. dancing should make you happier with who you are. i dont see the big deal in either one. for my ballet class when we are streching i wear a big sweatshirt over or i where dance shorts and keep them on. my teacher prefers something were she can see your hips positions.

[Mel Johnson]

Either get a better body or a more realistic body image. If you have to cover it up in order to feel comfortable looking at it, you have a problem, one way or the other.

[Victoria Leigh]

saved904, this is the 17-22 year old forum. I know that you are new, and we welcome you to Ballet Talk for Dancers, but you need to post on one or the other of the YD forums, depending on your age group. Your other posts are all on the 13-16 forum, so, I'm assuming that is where you belong?

 

I would like to ask you to please try and make your posts as clear as possible in terms of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Sometimes it's hard to know what you are saying, especially when you use know for now. It gets confusing, and we have lots and lots of members from other countries who speak English as a second language. They will have a particularly hard time reading your posts.

[LittleDropOfSunshine]

I've never really taken serious classes, but, I've always been allowed to wear shorts. I used to wear them all the time because I was self conscious, especially about my butt, but now, as long as I'm wearing a leotard that fits properly, I'm fine, actually better, without anything.

 

(And sorry for posting in this forum right now, but, I'm almost 17, my birthday is tomorrow).

[giselle2]

Happy Birthday!

[panda bear 16]

At my studio the shorts / skirt issue varies between teachers, for the most part though shorts are taken off after the firts 3-4 barre excercises , and skirts may be worn untill jumps. I usuall don't wear either because i find it easier to dance with out.

 

Ballet suits come in such a verity of styls that you should be able to find one your comftrable in.

[ktballerina1231]

This may seem silly... but I feel self conscious when I don't wear a skirt or shorts... because everyone else in the class wears them. I was never allowed to wear them as a younger dancer in my previous ballet studio, so it seemed odd at first. Now, it just seems like that is what I should do , since everyone else is... ugh... peer pressure. However, it doesn't bother me to not wear a skirt or shorts when I take a master class or something. Any suggestions as to how I can get over this at my home studio... I am on the brink of going professional and I know that a lot of directors think "body issue" when they see a dancer in shorts or a skirt in class. I feel like it is definitely time for me to "practice" professionalism!