My leotard is see-through...

[Shiny!]

I had my first class last week and wore a leotard for the first time. My leotard (black, nylon/lycra) was recommended by the director and purchased inside the dance studio. The problem is, it's a little see-through over the breasts. Not enough to really see "anything", but you can definitely see the skin tone.

 

What are peoples thoughts on this? If any skin is visible, should it be hidden by undergarments or is this common and a non-issue? I want to wear a bra, but the back is so low that the strap would show. Let the strap show, or the skin?

 

 

Also, I'd like to throw in another quick leotard question. Mine is just a little big on me, and there's a lot of open space in the back (it doesn't fit against my skin). Is this normal?

Edited December 6, 2010 by Shiny!

[dancepig]

I would say it depends on how comfortable you are with the leo. If it is a leo for studio wear, and you're not comfortable with it, then you need to return it or replace it. As adults, it is unusual for the studio to have a required leo. If it is a costume for the stage, then you could wear a black bra or a nude bra, depending on the stage requirement. As for the fit in the back, it sounds as though it's too big. Leos usually fit snug, with the material providing enough stretch to move with you. Hope this helps!

[Merry]

Congrats on your first class and for wearing a leo to it!

 

Sounds to me that it's a little too big for you. Personally, I don't like to see bra straps, but that's not an issue for me as I never wear a bra to class, however I do have an unsightly scar on my back at bra strap height, so I usually wear a leo that covers that part.

 

Is the leo really low cut at the back? I have found low cut one piece swimming costumes sometimes gape at the lower back even if they do fit everywhere else.

 

Have you tried a flesh toned bra underneath? I guess you need a bra that is black at the front and flesh at the back!! lol You could try a black bra with clear straps, but they do get sweaty, so might not be ideal.

 

I guess wear your leo for the time being if you are fairly comfortable, whilst checking out possible other purchases so you have a choice for class! If you buy a second different style leo you will soon know if you don't like the first one as it will never leave the closet!

[koshka]

Another option would be to wear body tights, which provide the coverage of tights and a camisole and are usually low-cut in the back.

 

But I agree with the other posters that this leotard sounds like a bad fit for you.

[tutu2you]

My DD usually wears a flesh-colored leotard under her other leotard/costumes. This helps with all the problems you mentioned. The straps are usually nude or clear plastic.

[MelissaGA]

I agree with the rest. It does not sound like you leotard fits. I much prefer leotards that are lined on top and at this point. won't buy one that is not lined.

 

My dd is having a costuming issue and we ended up buying a self adhesive backless bra for an upcoming performance. After seeing her try it, I've decided to get one for myself. I do have one leotard that is not lined and is a little see through, as you describe. Perhaps this would work for you as well. If you are in the states, we found them at Target.

[LaFilleSylphide]

Are you required to wear that leotard? If not, I'd return it and purchase one to your liking that you've tried on and made sure that not only the fit is right, but that the fabric is to your liking too! There are so many varieties of leotards out there that if you don't have a standardized/mandatory uniform, you should be able to find one that fits like second skin (which is how it should be, no bagging no gapping but not suffocating either) and that isn't see through. Most leotards should be able to be worn without a bra if you are not particularly curvy on top. If it doesn't feel right, there's always the option of a nude dance bra, body tights as someone else mentioned, and even a liner/nude leotard layered underneath. A regular underwire bra for daily casual wear under a leotard is, in my opinion, unsightly.

[Balletlove]

There have been a lot of suggestions with regards to it being see-through a last option if you have some reasonable sewing skills would be to insert a lining into it yourself to deal with the see-throughness.

 

With regards to the gaping in the back, although this is not how it is supposed to be and would definitely indicate that the leo is a bit big for some dancers who are very flat chested there is sometimes a bit of gaping in the back, a few things which can help to fix this:

- if the leo is low in the back and ends in a "v" shape, you can sew (by hand) the two sides on either side of the v together a little (think about an inch or two) thus you will raise the height of the back and cause the leo to pull a little tighter.

- you could try taking the leo in a bit on the sides (I sometimes order leos from overseas and the cost of trying to return them is just too expensive so I fix them myself) I take it in with about an inch at the piece under the arm and tapering down until it joins the natural seam of the leo.

- you could buy a piece of elastic from a habedashery store and attach it at a level that will pull the two sides of the back closer to each other... adding two or three pieces will add a "ladder back" type of effect to the back.

[Hamorah]

If it's easy to return I agree that you should do so. If it's impossible then sewing the back together is a good idea. However, when I attempted to sew one of mine together by hand, it eventually came undone and I ended up taking it to a seamstress who did a proper job on it. She didn't charge me much and it made so much difference to the fit of the leotard and of course as Balletlove noted it made the back high enough to hide my bra under it.

[Shiny!]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the feedback! I've decided to just buy a new, better fitting leotard with a bra lining. I'm also going to look around for someone that could do a bit of work on my current one, adding some lining and hopefully doing something with the back.

 

Again, thank you all! I was so nervous about wearing this leo again to class

[futureMD2010]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the feedback! I've decided to just buy a new, better fitting leotard with a bra lining. I'm also going to look around for someone that could do a bit of work on my current one, adding some lining and hopefully doing something with the back.

 

Again, thank you all! I was so nervous about wearing this leo again to class

 

 

Hello,

Just my two cents, but if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive, but well fitting leo... I would recommend www.dancewearsolutions.com. They have basic pinch front leotards in cotton or lycra that is lined and not revealing. I think they are about 10-12 dollars and come in a variety of colors.

 

Hope this helps!!

[LuvTchaikovskyBallets]

I had my first class last week and wore a leotard for the first time. My leotard (black, nylon/lycra) was recommended by the director and purchased inside the dance studio. The problem is, it's a little see-through over the breasts. Not enough to really see "anything", but you can definitely see the skin tone.

 

What are peoples thoughts on this? If any skin is visible, should it be hidden by undergarments or is this common and a non-issue? I want to wear a bra, but the back is so low that the strap would show. Let the strap show, or the skin?

 

 

Also, I'd like to throw in another quick leotard question. Mine is just a little big on me, and there's a lot of open space in the back (it doesn't fit against my skin). Is this normal?

 

 

Hi, I'm new to this. but i have taken ballet in the past, and have taken a couple of classes as an adult here and there. I can understand that you may feel self concious wearing something new, and also with suck a low back. did they require that specific leotard? If you like the leotard a lot, but are afraid of showing a little too much, if the leotard has enough sypport for you, and you dont need a bra, then maybe try those sticky things that are nipple covers made specifically for that purpose. if you are familiar with them, i can find a link to send you if you'd like. Are you an adult beginner student or have you been in it your whole life? I would LOVE to have a friend to talk to about ballet. :-)

[Redbookish]

Welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers, LuvTchaikovsky. As you'll see, this forum has many adult ballet students, so you'll find lots of posts and threads to share your enthusiasms! Take some time to look at the site -- you may find information about suitable classes in your area.

[LuvTchaikovskyBallets]

Welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers, LuvTchaikovsky. As you'll see, this forum has many adult ballet students, so you'll find lots of posts and threads to share your enthusiasms! Take some time to look at the site -- you may find information about suitable classes in your area.

 

Thank you. :-) I'm so unbelievably happy to have found this message board! I've never had any friends who share my love and passion for ballet, so I will enjoy reading the posts and replying to any topic I find interesting, or any i may be able to provide some advice or suggestions for.

 

I do know of two places in my local area where I could take classes, but I am unable to afford taking them at this time.

[sjp2153]

So on the same topic- what does one do for a bra in a leotard? That's the main thing that keeps me from wearing one (at least, one without a shirt over it). I'm extremely flat-chested (I can wear training bras, lol), but I just feel naked without a bra! I've tried "smoothies," but they just look kinda bunchy under leotards, and the leotards with the built in bras just have too much built in. What do people usually do?