PUTTING ON YOUR COSTUME
Several costumes come with leotards/biketards. DO NOT PULL UP BY THE STRAPS as this can easily rip the costume. Instead, carefully roll the top down to the waist & pull on as if pulling on shorts. Then unroll the top toward the shoulders and adjust to fit prior to putting arms through straps.
KEEP YOUR COSTUME LOOKING GOOD
- Wear costumes ONLY for photos and performances.
- Hang costume in a safe place in the bathroom so any wrinkles will hang out; fluff tutus and hang tutus upside down. CAUTION: DO NOT IRON COSTUMES & KEEP THEM OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, do not store in car windows, etc.
- Put any hair or other accessories in a ziplock bag with your costume. Include hair brush/comb, hairspray/gel, bobby pins, safety pins, q-tips, etc. Put your NAME on all bags. TIP: DO NOT WASH YOUR HAIR THE DAY OF A SHOW. Hair styles easier and stays in place if it’s one day dirty.
- NEVER eat while wearing your costume. Drink only PLAIN WATER from a spill-proof container with your name on it.
- Do not sit in your costume. Especially skirts, skorts, tutus, overalls, and white pants.
- Apply makeup while wearing a full zip jacket (studio jackets work great!) or button-down shirt. Have hair & makeup done prior to arriving at shows/photos. Young dancers wear mascara (if possible), a touch of blush and Berry-colored lipstick. All others wear foundation, eyeliner, eye shadow, black mascara, false lashes at Showcase, blush, and Berry-colored lipstick. See the make-up handout for additional info and product suggestions. Parents apply Berry-colored lipstick to young dancers after arriving at venue and putting on costume.
- Bring makeup to photos & shows for touchups. Keep makeup in it’s own sealed bag. Keep costumes, shoes, and makeup separated from each other to prevent dirt and snags on the costumes. Do not store/carry costumes in the same bag with shoes. Put your name on everything.
- Put name or initials on all shoes and on tags of costumes. Bring extra tights.
- Wear mostly white tennis shoes to/from events. DO NOT wear dance shoes to/from events. ALWAYS bring them in your bag. Be sure your name is on your shoes and your bag.
- Clean your shoes; a little Softscrub or dish soap works well.
NO, NO, NO UNDERWEAR. Your tights are your underwear. The ONLY exceptions are Toddlers in pull-ups or diapers. Tights are provided with Twinkle Toddlers and Twinkle Stars costumes. Purchase all tights through the studio office to ensure the shades/colors match. UNOPENED TIGHTS can be exchanged if they are the wrong size. Dancers who have multiple tight colors and quick costume changes, wear nude tights as the base and put other tights on over the nude tights.
- ALL BALLET CLASSES WEAR HAIR IN A NEAT BUN. Ballet dancers who are in other routines, LEAVE HAIR IN A BUN FOR ALL DANCES. NO Flyaways. A hair net is strongly recommended. ARRIVE at pictures and shows with hair & makeup already done.
- Twinkle Toddler, Twinkle Stars & 5-9 year old ballet/tap/jazz combo classes – Wear pink tights under loose-fitting clothes (studio t-shirt or jacket is good). Put costume on at the venue when possible. Hair in a neat bun. NO Flyaways. A hair net is strongly recommended.
- Ballet, Musical Theater, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Acro – Wear leggings/skirt over tights and a button-down shirt or studio jacket. Boys wear black fitted boxers/underwear, black sports leggings & black socks unless barefoot for Acro. Teen boys wear a jock-strap or men’s dance brief for added support. Bring costumes covered on a hanger. Remember all tights/accessories. Change at venue when possible. Girls – Hair in a bun at back of head for all dances. NO Flyaways. A hair net is strongly recommended. Ballet – PINK Tights; wear over nude tights if in other dances.
- Hip Hop – Girls wear studio t-shirt over your black top and nude leotard, hip hop pants over nude tights purchased from the studio. Boys wear black underwear (no boxers), black sports leggings & black socks. Bring costume covered on a hanger. Change at venue when possible. Hair in a BUN if you’re in ballet. If not in ballet, side-part in a low ponytail and tightly secure hair at the nape of the neck with a black hair band. NO flyaways or tendrils. Hip Hop Ages 9 & up can order a nude leotard at www.shopnimbly.com/kdc Remember your black Dance Sneakers.
- Clogging – Wear nude tights and black pants or skorts. Ladies wear NUDE bra. Bring ALL tops on a hanger. Guys wear white ankle socks. Ladies – TIGHTS ONLY, NO SOCKS. Girls side-part hair in a low ponytail and tightly secure with a black hair band or wear a BUN if also dancing ballet. No flyaways or tendrils. Bring class and team costumes; remember any accessories such as bandanas, hats, etc. if applicable.
BE SURE TO COLLECT ALL BELONGINGS WHEN PHOTOS/SHOWS ARE OVER AND THROW AWAY ANY GARBAGE. THANK YOU!