Crooked Necks

Posts Tagged ‘long sleeve unitards’

For those of us who aren’t familiar with all the styles of dance tights available, or who are novice dancers who want to know the difference, let’s briefly break down the types of garments dancers usually wear.

First, there are different styles of tights or leg wear – leg warmers, Capri pants, leggings, leotards, unitards, and bodysuits, to name a few.

Legwarmers are acrylic knit socks, sort of like sweaters for legs that dancers wear for extra warmth while dancing. They usually sit just below the knee and have stirrup slots at the toe to fit easily over a pair of dance tights and ballet shoes.

The length of material for tights sometimes determines what they are called. Capri pants are similar to full tights only they end at mid-calf, for a little more freedom of movement in warmer rooms. Leggings are also similar to fully footed tights, only their material ends at the ankle, leaving the foot free.

Likewise, there are longer, one-piece garments like tank top or long-sleeve unitards that give a unified shape and a very clean look for the sake of simplicity. For younger students of dance, clothing suppliers offer “biketards” that extend from the shoulders to the thighs.