Loading... Please wait...Dance is a specific form of art that requires artistic execution as well as athletic skills. Indeed, the movements required in dancing demand enormous strength of the major leg muscles. When you are a dancer, it is essential to ensure that you take appropriate care of your legs. You can protect your legs by wearing garments like dance wear that aren’t too thick to restrict blood circulation in the lower parts of your body. One of the most significant benefits of leg warmers is that they prevent cramping and other muscle injuries. Aside from that, wearing leg warmers can also protect your legs from too much cold.
Traditionally, leg warmers are used in ballet and other classical dances but changes in fashion have created a comfortable nook for these thick coverings for the lower legs. There are different materials used for leg warmers and these include the knitted wool, cotton, synthetic fibers and more recently, chenille. The choice of which material to buy depends on individual preferences, comfort, budget and brand. The most popular leg warmers today are the Neon Brite Leg Warmers.
Just like what the name suggests, the Neon Brite Leg Warmers are hued in neon bright so they are highly fashionable. Colors to choose from include hot purple solids, brite green and bold brite pink. You are free to mix and match these colors because they easily blend with any dance apparel and bright color mixes are the trend nowadays. In fact, even non-dancers use these to accent their otherwise dull jean or skirt and shirt outfit.
How are they worn?
Leg warmers are usually worn below the knee but they are also popularly worn today to cover the lower parts of the thighs. If it is winter and you’re dancing, leg warmers are a surefire way of feeling cozy and warm without ruining an entire outfit or restricting your dance moves due to too thick or too long dance clothing.
The Neon Brite Leg Warmers are also worn on top of dancing leotards as well as all kinds of dance shoes including ballet shoes, jazz dance shoes and lyrical dance shoes. But don’t just limit their use to dancing and fashion, you can also use your leg warmers when you’re doing aerobics or when you’re out jogging to break a sweat. Other than that, you can also use them when you’re at the gym. Really, with the many activities that a good pair of Neon Brite Leg Warmers can support, you will definitely find that every cent you spent on them are worth it.
But there are a couple of things that you should not do with your Neon Brite Leg Warmers:
If you’re about to invest in really expensive dance legwarmers, just make sure that they are worth the money. Check for the quality, how often you’re going to use them and if they would be as fashionable as the Neon Brite Leg Warmers.
For a pair of Neon Brite Leg Warmers, visit: www.alycedancewear.com.
Dance classes have a positive role in increasing the intelligence and creativity of children. According to recent studies, dancing help kids grow intellectually, physically and emotionally. This is not only because of the total body movement that is required when dancing but also because of the power of inspirational music. So if you want your child to be his or her best, start stocking up on dance clothes for him.
When your children have already expressed their desire for dancing, you should be ready with the right dance apparel for them. Luckily, dance stores love to create and sell comfortable and cute outfits for kids. With this wide variety of children’s dance wear, little girls become the center of attention in their tutu skirts and body-fit dance leotards while little boys would become man-like in their comfortable dance shoes. Regardless of which brand you choose, your child’s dancewear must support all his movements and must protect him from muscle cramps and pain.
If children are more equipped for dancing, they better absorb the benefits of such activity. As such, they can come out of their shells and learn to interact with the other dancers. They can also learn more effectively as learning takes place while the body is involved in an expressive activity.
Dancing is Therapy
Moreover, dancing has been proven as an effective therapy for children with disabilities and emotional disorders. As long as these children are wearing comfortable dance clothing, they would be more focused on the moves of the dance rather than on the clothes they wear to dance school. Some of the noted benefits associated with dancing are as follows:
In addition, dancing improves the attitude of children. Dance schools require a great amount of discipline – in the food you eat, the time of practice and even the frequency of practicing just to learn a routine. So a child becomes accustomed to rules and routines in the long run and that helps him or her become more controlled and more confident.
Develop Your Child’s Love for Dancing at an Early Age
Babies “dance” whenever they hear music but without enough encouragement and support coming from parents, they lose interest as they grow older. But bear in mind that dancing is a universal language and it is very important for self-expression especially during the early years when your child is still learning a language. Children as little as 3 years old can already start attending dance classes to nurture his or her talents and help him or her grow.
Dance wear for toddlers can come in many styles and colors. To help foster your child’s love for dancing, it is essential that you choose the type of dancewear that will make him or her feel comfortable while dancing and add to the excitement and fun of the experience.
For an exciting collection of children’s dancewear, visit: www.alycedancewear.com
Nearly every little girl dreams of one day becoming a beauty queen. And the Miss America pageant, which began as a beauty contest in 1921 but has since become a scholarship-giving body, is the foremost annual national competition in the country that brings together young women from all 50 states as well as from the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands to vie for the title as well as to win a scholarship grant to their chosen educational institutions. The recent Miss America 2012 pageant featured not just beauty and brains, but a wealth of talents, with nearly half of the contestants opting to showcase their dancing prowess in the preliminary talent competition and during pageant night. And for little girls who want to one day compete in and become Miss America, it is important to start honing dancing skills early on. This includes taking dance classes and wearing appropriate dancing attire and dance accessories.
Though the young woman who eventually won the crown – 23 year-old Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler – sang the operatic vocal piece “Il Bacio” by Luigi Arditi, the coronation night saw five of the Top Ten finalists performing dances. First Runner-up Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson did an Irish step dance of “Warriors” by Ronan Hardiman. Third runner-up, twenty year-old Miss Arizona Jennifer Sedler, performed a jazz dance of “It’s About That Walk” by Prince. Miss California Noelle Freeman who ended up 4th Runner-up performed a ballet en pointe of Black Swan from Swan Lake. Others in the Top Ten who performed dances were Miss Illinois Hannah Smith who showed her dance skills with a ballet en pointe of “Palladio”, and Miss Louisiana Hope Anderson who did a contemporary dance en pointe to “Sway”. The last time a contestant who performed a dance number won the title was in 2006, when Jennifer Berry of Oklahoma performed a ballet en pointe.
As a popular form of performing arts, dancing requires discipline, and this is shown in the routines of the contestants. As a visual feast, along with the music, another vital component of any dance number is the costume. Wearing attire appropriate for the genre of the dance will not only help the dancer move freely and more comfortably, it also helps establish the mood of the presentation and impress the audience. The fit, design, and cut do not only have to match the dance, they also have to match the dancer as well. And the tights, ballet shoes and lyrical shoes, and dance accessories worn by the Miss America contestants enabled them to move with grace and poise and deliver powerful performances.
Appropriate dance attire and accessories are therefore important, not just for Miss America contestants but for everyone – from professional ballerinas and tap dancers to little Miss Americas-in training. Alyce Dancewear is the leading online source of dance shoes, tops, bottoms, leotards, bags, and accessories carrying leading dancewear brands Capezio, Little Stars and Funky Diva for ballet, hiphop, jazz, lyrical and tap dance. Email [email protected] today to find the best dancewear and dance accessories for you.
Tap dancing combines movement and music through dance and makes for a delightful form of entertainment. Since its rise from the ‘30s, tap dance has been a staple of musical theater and staged dance performances. Kids and adults alike can learn tap dancing for fun and maybe even find a true knack. Choosing tap dance costumes is not that hard but you need to pay attention to certain details in order for your performance to go smoothly. We’re giving you some pointers on how to choose your tap dance costumes.
First thing you have to know is that tap dance costumes should be made of comfortable material, usually made of stretchy fabric like Lycra, enabling you to move as freely as possible. Wear light clothing when you rehearse and perform on stage. Many tap dancers prefer dancewear that is tight and snug. Not only that that they’re able to move with ease, the audience get to focus on their movement. Baggy clothing such as oversized pants and balloon skirts get in the way of those tap combinations. Footwork is the foundation of tap dancing. You should wear dance clothes that highlight the movement of your leg and feet.
Once you’ve covered function, you can move on to style. Women tap dancers can wear flapper dress, reminiscent of the vaudeville era where tap featured prominently. Jazz costumes can also be worn, as well as cabaret. Tight fitting pants called unitards are usually paired with sequined tops that accentuate the part of the body that moves less when tap dancing. Leotards are also popular, along fringe, and shorts and skirts that show off the dancer’s legs.
Men can wear comfortable shirts that are snug around the arms. Tight, collared vests can also be an option, while trousers have to be the right length. Pants shouldn’t be baggy or too long, otherwise the fabric would get caught on the tap shoes. Tap dancers look good wearing suspenders over a plain white shirt and black slacks. A bow or tie would also be a charming touch. Dancing accessories may include top hats, beret, gloves, light headpieces, armbands and canes.
Perhaps the most important component in tap dance is the shoes. Most beginners wear black leather shoes. While more experienced dancers go with high-heeled tap shoes or ordinary footwear, such as cowboy boots sneakers, with metals attached to the heel and soles. Tan colored tap shoes are easy to match with any outfit. When dancers want to accentuate their legs, they match the color of their shoes and pants. Tap shoes also come in silver, white, beige and other shades of brown and gray.
Tap dancers can adapt their costumes to the storyline or theme of their dance numbers. From the classic Fred Astaire dance suit to the more unorthodox outfits on the stage like a policeman’s attire, a chef, a construction worker, a cowboy, a fairy or other fictional costumes. As long as these character costumes were made with comfort and freedom of movement in mind, tap dancers are sure to rock it on stage.
To find high quality tap dance costumes and tap shoes, visit: www.alycedancewear.com.
Whether you dance ballet, modern jazz, contemporary or lyrical, the leotard is a piece of clothing you’ll be very closely acquainted with. The leotard is perhaps the most ubiquitous dancewear, chosen for complementing the dancer’s body. Its simplicity can easily be redone or customized for more elaborate dance costumes. That’s why choosing the right leotard is as important as ten-minute warm ups.
Because it is worn for a number of dances and activities, leotards are available almost anywhere you look. Still, you need to consider a few things when purchasing your next set.
1. It’s best consult with your dance instructor first, especially if you’re buying leotards for a student dancer. Even during practices, dance teachers still want participants to wear leotards to have a better view of body lines and movement. Know if they want you to wear a specific type of leotard during rehearsals, what color, design, or brand they would suggest for the class. Capezio-made leotards are renowned in the dance circuit, along with M. Stevens and Natalie. They offer leotards in different cuts and styles, such as tanks, long sleeve, camisole, short sleeve, halter, leotards with frills and leotards with skirts.
2. A good part of your search will involve finding the leotards the fits you perfectly. Choosing an ill-fitted leotard can mean a disastrous performance. A little loose and you’re movement is impeded, go too tight and you’ll have a harder time moving, breathing and will probably look unseemly on stage. Dance clothing such as leotards must fit well, snug but not too tight, and definitely not too big, lest you like the outfit to wrinkle around your body as you dance.
3. When you’re in a store, don’t hesitate to try the leotard on before buying it. Don’t rely on the size system of your ordinary clothes. Dance clothing has a different size measurement that you should early on consult to find the best size for you.There are practically a myriad of leotard designs to choose from. If you’ll only use it for practicing, choose a design or color that encourages you to move, persevere with a hard move or stunt, and best flatter your skin tone.
4. Consider the material used for making your dance clothes. For use in weekly rehearsals, choose fabrics that are easy to clean and even machine washable. Leotards made of lighter and more delicate fabrics are reserved for staged performances so you don’t have to hand wash them every time. Nylon and Lycra are the most common and durable types of leotards. There are also leotards with print, sequins, and pained over.
5. Color blocking isn’t a problem with dance leotards. Think of the theme and concept of your dance and pick colors that suit them well. Play with contrasts or blend in with the backdrop if your character calls for it. The best way to determine the right color is getting one that highlights the body’s movement. Bold and deep colors pitches for strong stage presence, while Velour textures add that touch of glamour.
Alyce Dance Wear provides you the most reliable selection of dance wear including leotards for any kind of dance type. Check out www.alycedancewear.com.

Dance clothing and accessories are often intricately designed and therefore can be delicate or easily damaged. Dance tights, for example, can get runs, while ballet shoes can get worn out due to repeated use. To avoid having to replace dance wear or dance costume accessories frequently, certain maintenance and repair practices should be kept in mind.
Taking Care of Ballet and Gymnastics Clothes
Dance leotards are traditionally made of cotton, but are currently available in different kinds of spandex and nylon materials. Because they have to be tightly fitted to the user, they have to be washed and stored in such a way that they will not get loose or baggy. Leotards should be allowed to soak in cool water with soap for fifteen to twenty minutes before they are fully laundered. Stains on this article of dance clothing should be spot treated before the whole garment is washed. Leotards should never by wring-dried or hung by their straps.
Runs and holes on dance tights are very noticeable and tend to get worse when not attended to. To prevent damage to tights, they should always be kept in smooth storage bags so that they won’t get caught in pointed or rough surfaces. Dancers normally wear pants over tights before and after rehearsals to protect the leg garments. In case the tights get a run, putting clear nail polish on the edges of the hole can curb the damage. Like leotards, tights are best laundered by hand-washing instead of machine-washing.
Preserving Other Dance Clothes
Dance costumes without decorations such as sequins, feathers and rhinestones can still be damaged if machine-washed. Experts recommend sending them to the dry cleaners or hand-washing them in cool water with mild soap. Since they are also sensitive to heat and sunlight, sophisticated dance wear should not be dried under direct sunlight or ironed. Dance costumes with stones and other sewn-on materials are even more fragile. They should not be washed directly in water as much as possible, but if necessary, they can be laundered inside out. They are also sensitive to direct sunlight and hot ironing. To help these kinds of clothes get dry, a stand steamer may be used or they can be hanged in a steamy room like the bathroom.
Maintenance of Ballet and Other Dance Shoes
Dance shoes are cleaned in a variety of ways, depending on the kind of material they are made of. One home remedy is baking soda, which should be moderately used on ballet shoes. However, any random chemical could ruin dance shoes, so they should only be polished using cleaning products designed specifically for satin, leather or metallic shoes. Brushing shoes used in ballroom dancing is one good way to keep them in good condition. For ballet pointe shoes, drying is an effective maintenance measure because it hardens the glue inside the shoes, which is key to making the pair last longer. For all kinds of dance shoes, the best way to prolong life span is to never wear them outside the dance floor.
Dancewear takes time and money to make and acquire. Those in good quality may not be as affordable as substandard, easily worn-out pieces. Either way, dance clothes deserve adequate care and maintenance for the dancer’s own comfort.
For more information about dancing and dancewear, visit www.alycedancewear.com. We have a wide selection of dance clothes, shoes and accessories for all ages.
Movement is everything in dance. But equally important is a dance costume that shouldn’t only go with the music’s theme but should also complement the choreography. Before you pick or create costumes for your next dance presentation at school or a public performance, there are a few pointers that you should consider.
As a dancer, you understand the visual importance of good dance attire. You may already grasp a few ideas on what to wear while making the early parts of choreography, or perhaps after hearing the song or music several times. That’s why it is important to know your music. If you’re not a dancer but is tasked to create or prepare dance costumes, then you should know that you can’t possibly make anything without getting acquainted first with the song.
Ask the choreographer to give you a copy of the dance music they’ll be using. Listen to the song or track and determine what kind of movements the dancers will be making—are they slow and graceful, or choppy and quick. You’ll have an idea when you listen and absorb the music. Loose and diaphanous skirts are usually paired with leotards for slow to moderately paced songs. Hip-hop doesn’t have command baggy clothes. The dancers must be able to move freely in their urban-inspired costume.
Once you have a particular song, you’ll be able to trace what genre it belongs to. Pop ballads, classical, blues, alternative or disco—all these musical genres have corresponding looks you should be able to reference for your dance clothes.
Studying the song lyrics, knowing what it’s about, helps a lot in picking dance clothing that fits both the dancer and the dance. If you can’t understand the lyrics, rely on the mood or tone the song tries to convey.
You also get ideas for colors, fabric and texture.Jerseystretches and bounces, while satin flows. See how a fabric’s movement matches the music and choreography. Gold lame is great for disco-inspired modern jazz, while neutral and earthy colors are perfect for moody contemporary.
You should then consider the physicality of the dancers. It goes without saying that you need to get their measurements, but it would also help if you have an idea how old they are. Meet the dancers and take note of their prominent physical features. Be sure they look their best while also able to move without restriction.
Some songs, especially with classical music, feature characters. Are your dancers romantic figures like Tristan and Isolde? Or heroes from mythology like Siegfried. Or maybe your dancer is inspired by the Queen of the Night from Mozart’s Magic Flute. Or the blood-speckled madwoman bride Lucia from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor? Do a quick bit of research so you’ll know what to consider if you need to create dance costumes for characters. Just make sure the accessories you add don’t inhibit the dancers’ movements. A cardboard sword for a Viking warrior dancer is a good detail. But unless the dancer will be holding it during the entire dance, the sword will only get in the way.
To find quality dance clothing and accessories, visit www.alcycedancewear.com

Whenever you buy dance clothing, you will be presented with plain leotards, dance shorts and so on as your choices. The quality of dancewear that you choose will determine how good your base will be for alterations depending on your recital needs. But you don’t need to pay for professional costume makers to design and create the costumes that you need. By simply incorporating ingenuity with quality materials, you can creatively create your own hip hop dance costumes.
Hip hop dancing has been around since the 1970s. Evolution over time has led to changing trends and styles with regard to the music and the hip hop dance costumes used. It is very important that you get the right gears in order to dance this art form comfortably. Yes, you can buy some basic tops, bottoms and shoes from stores but you may need some alterations to fit your recital’s theme.
Here are some tips on how to make your own dance costumes.
For quality and affordable dance costumes, check out www.alycedancewear.com.

Alyce Dancewear has consistently made available some of the most comfortable, durable and well-designed dance clothing in the market today. From ballet, modern jazz to contemporary dance, Alyce Dancewear covers many styles that suit both beginning and professional dancers. They even have something for the very young dancer lovers, with their offering of kids dance costumes and dance accessories that’s perfect for rehearsals and stage performances. From leotards, dance skirts, tights to dance bags, Alyce Dancewear does not miss. And customers have particularly taken to several products that have kept them on their toes.
Among the most sought after products available on Alyce Dancewear is the selection of well-crafted and stylish dance shoes. For practitioners of the vibrant art of modern jazz, they offer the Gore Jazz Boot, which comes in black and tan colors. Made of pliant and soft leather, the Gore Jazz Boot is made with a split sole and comes with slide elastic inserts, which are nifty alternatives to the traditional lace ups. Practice or execute or your pirouettes and pas de bourreés with utmost ease, thanks to the Gore Jazz Boot’s rubber traction pad and heel, keeping you anchored on the floor and maintain your center of balance. Both male and female modern jazz performers can enjoy the Gore Jazz Boot’s sleek and sturdy construction.
Women jazz dancers are in for treat with Alyce Dancewear’s Split Sole Jazz Shoe. Made of full grain leather, a pair of these provides maximum comfort and fit. The Split Sole Jazz Shoe comes in tan and black and features a lace-less design, with an elastic top throat. Jazz dancers would appreciate the strong traction the shoes provide, as they train rigorously for dance tours, public performances, and or even just for a dance workout. Split Sole Jazz Shoes are also available in children’s sizes.
Those who go for a more classic look, the Adult Lace-Up Jazz Shoes are bestsellers. Constructed with a split sole and soft leather, this pair of jazz shoes comes in black, white and tan colors. With its sturdy shoestring, this pair goes perfectly with period costumes for those nostalgic dance numbers about the Jazz age. Children jazz dancers can also enjoy the lace-up jazz shoe with the Child Lace-Up variety.
Hip-hop dancers are literally head over heels in love with Alyce Dancewear’s Dance Performance Sneaker. The pair has such a comfortable fit and handsomely constructed that dancers use it even just for walking around town. Dance Performance Sneaker has a non-marking sole, perfect for dancing on hardwood. With its solid construction and low profile cut, these shoes are lightweight, made of breathable mesh, leather and lined with Nylex to protect your feet from awful callous and bruise. Modern jazz dancers can trade their regular lace up jazz shores for the cool and comfort of this pair, which comes in black. Perform those incredible leaps and worry less about landing—this all-around dance sneaker provides shock absorption and has foam padded heel and sock lining.
To find out more information about these top quality dance shoes, visit www.alycedancewear.com.
Dance and fashion always seem to go together. In a way, dance has influenced fashion. And yet, fashion largely impacts what most dancers wear for their dance routines. These two art forms always go together and so this is only timely that for this upcoming spring, there is a wide array of dance apparel to harmonize with your dance movements and style.
The movies Flashdance and Fame were among the perfect epitome at how dance and fashion can intermingle. The silver screen further popularized dance clothing as something that is fashionable, not just functional. The moment these movies were released, women from all over the world dreamed of wearing a leotard and tutu. Of course, the popularity of Madonna during the 1980s helped to further push fashion as an integral part of dancing.
Soon enough, trendy retailers began shooting out and offering a wide range of dance clothes for the fashionable dancers. The products ranged from off-shoulder tops (which were very reminiscent of Flashdance), leotard, and loose crop pants. Dance wear are indeed getting a share of the spotlight this Spring with these classic dance clothes revisited with a new flair to them. Thus, fashion experts are predicting that the fashion runways for the upcoming Spring will be marked by designs that are taken off the dance studio.
There are many ways that you can incorporate dance fashion as part of your daily life, not just on the dance studio. The use of leotard under skinny jeans would go well for a casual look. Or, you may also layer your leotards with a sleeve-fitted top or sweaters. Indeed, the moment you step out of the studio, you can still use your dance clothes when you go shopping or meet up with pals. It is all about trying to mix and match various dance costume accessories for your daily wear. This has helped shape the dance wear fashion scene and it is therefore becoming more of a practical investment for female dancers since they can have more use for them, not just for dancing.
Finding dance apparel is therefore something that you need to give much thought to. Some classic dance wears aren’t readily accessible from your favorite retailers, such as pointed shoes or tutu. Thankfully, there are plenty of them via the internet so you can explore as many retailers for the perfect dance attire.
Since dance clothes are the new fashion rage this season, it should be easy to find the ideal retailer for the clothing pieces that you want. Fashion enthusiasts should opt for retailers that offer competitive pricing and have a wider selection. This will provide you with more flexibility in terms of finding the ideal attire that ensures comfort as you dance, while at the same time is fashionable enough to use for your casual wear.
It does not matter what specific area of dance art you are practicing, there is a way for you to find the right dance clothing while still reflecting your fashion sense. It is all about finding the right retailer that can provide you with clothing options to suit your needs and taste. Feel free to explore because finding fashionable dance apparel is now much more convenient.