CriticalDance Forum

Hi there, sorry in advance if you have had this question before: I just watched the movie "Center Stage" ...and in it, the women wear long leg warmers and tights with holes at the bottom of the feet, they wear shirts that only cover the arms, shorts over pants, big shirts with no straps. Is this just style or is there a real reason for all of the different looks?

I am sorry about posting the question in the wrong area!! I didnt read all the way through. :confused: :confused:

I'm moving this topic to student experiences...

But to answer your question...when there isn't a dress code, people tend to wear what is comfortable. Plus, there is some fashion element to it. And lots of layers, so that you can shed clothes as you get warm. Legwarmers, shorts and pants are great for keeping your legs warm, especially at the begining of barre when muscles haven't been warmed up fully.

The 'tights with holes on the bottom' are probably convertable tights - you can wear them like footed tights, or pull them up like footless tights (which I prefer). I've noticed that most professional dancers don't wear footed tights, except in performance - probably a comfort thing, but someone else might be able to give a better answer.

Kate

Convertible tights allow you to change pointe shoe padding without getting undressed. For that reason, they are nearly ubiquitous among professional ballerinas.

Movies like "Center Stage" look for what's in fashion at the time in the New York studios, then broadcast it to the entire nation, exaggerating it at the same time. There are professional dancers everywhere, and people do dress slightly differently depending on where they are dancing. I wouldn't put too much stock in Center Stage fashions; working on your tendu will do a LOT more to advance your dance career.

Citibob, have you seen dancers who put padding under their tights? That's news to me. As far as I know, the hole is there so you can convert from footless to "footed" tights.

I know I'm not a professional, but many people, myself included put sticking plasters (band-aids), or tape over their toes to prevent rubbing and blisters. With convertible tights I can add plasters or padding (like lambs wool toes pads which yes,I occationally put under my tights- keeps them in place) without getting undressed. Also, I can go from a ballet class to a contemporary class/ rehearsal without getting undressed.

hey wnabee,, sounds like you r

Yes. And I have seen professionals do just as wannabe_LDN describes.