Dance Costume - Requirements

Requirements

Dance costume must harmonize with the dance. The costume should never hinder the movements of the dancer or attract too much attention. A costume needs to be simple and expressive (Joiner 3). Dancing in ordinary clothing restricts movements. Through dancing in a standard or elaborate costume a dancer is placed in the correct frame of mind and mood to dance. Teachers vary on what they require for dancing outfits. However, the focus should be placed on the movement and not the body shapes (Cooper 49). A costume is required to be formfitting to emphasize the visual art of architectural designs that the dancer’s body creates (Penrod 11). It is an extension of the dancer’s movement and should never be just put on. The body is the choreographer’s medium; the choreographer and costumer work together to create the right theme (Art of Production 56). Also, formfitting costumes allow teachers to see the placement of the dancer’s body, and to make sure that the movement is right. If a dancer makes a faulty placement it can weaken or injure them.

The dancer’s tights and accessories should be worn so that the line of the dancer’s body can be seen clearly. Shorts shouldn’t be worn, because they don’t protect the dancer’s legs when doing floor work, and they don’t keep the body’s heat centered in the legs. Centering body heat to the legs helps keep the dancer’s muscles warm (Art of Production 74). Also, the costume needs to accommodate quick changes (Cooper 65).