Dancing appears to have been initially developed by the ancient Greeks and was considered to be as one of the vital components in the schooling of the bodies and minds of the young, alongside hunting, riding, learning, music, philosophy and fencing.

In actual fact, both dance and wrestling resulted from what they referred to as the gymnastic; the routines associated with the later being developed to prepare one’s body for the stresses and strains of war, farming or any other profession requiring rigorous physical activity.

The purpose of dancing was in order to keep the body firm, supple and in its correct proportions, and that by obtaining that balance, it bestowed upon the dancer an air of grace and also self-assurance which in turn had a positive knock-on influence on people they came into contact with.

The Origins of Music and Dance

Likewise, the Greeks also regarded music as an indispensable element in the education and learning of children that would calm the passions, ease the manners, and even humanize individuals who had been previously considered savage and barbarous

The marriage of dancing plus music took place during such special events like religious festivals as a means of acknowledging the Gods as well as thanking them for all favours that they bestowed upon them; of honouring victors of the Olympic Games along with other such sporting celebrations.

Music and dance also boasted its part in battle as the Spartans are also known to have marched to war dancing to the sound of flutes.

Development of Dancewear

Just as various forms and styles of dancing have evolved across the years, so have the limitless forms of dancewear clothing that go in to the creation of today’s dance costumes.

Originally tribal dancewear, while it might be colourful, tended to be rather cumbersome and somewhat basic in style and design, however due to the fact dancing grew to become a lot more competitive and previously inaccessible materials for example nylon and spandex came in to this marketplace, there grew to become a greater desire for dancewear outfits  just looked great, but supplied significantly greater comfort and flexibility.

Perhaps the most common improvement, in this evolution of contemporary day dancewear clothing was the introduction of the leotard in the later half of the twentieth century; today regarded as an vital component in every professional dancer’s wardrobe.

Nowhere have these types of changes been more important than in the development of the dancer’s footwear, particularly when you are looking at dancing “en pointe” in ballet. Consequently, this has resulted in the development of several thriving well known suppliers which include Bloch and Capezio catering exclusively for the Dancer’s needs.

Knowing what to wear and where to look for suitable attire can be frustrating as many stores either only offer a very limited selection of certain dancewear products as a sideline or cater for a more professional market such as ballet dancers and gymnasts.

What to wear when going dancing? Well this will depend largely on the type of dancing you will be doing, the sort of event you will be attending and your level of commitment, namely are you more of a novice or a more seasoned, professional dancer.

The first thing most people look at when selecting a dress for dancing is the colour, style and how good they look in it.  However, as more experienced dancers will tell you, there are more factors to consider before you make that final commitment to a particular dancing costume such as: -

Costume Design – In most instances, the type of dancewear clothes and shoes you use will be determined by the type of dance, that is if you want to be accepted by the other dancers. Your clothing should accentuate your figure making you feel both confident and sexy, like a natural extension of your body.

Colour – should compliment not just the dancers figure, but also the mood and type of dance.  For example, wearing darker colours tend to make the dancers look slimmer, violet gives a cold feeling, and red denotes warmth and white purity.

Comfort – due to the energetic nature of many dances the clothes you wear must be comfortable while allowing plenty of room for movement.  You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you continually have to keep adjusting your clothing to stop it rising up or to prevent certain parts of your anatomy from popping out.  Likewise, if you are wearing sleeves, they should be neither too short nor too baggy, lest they catch up in your partners hands during faster more energetic dances like the salsa, swing or jive.

Breathability – the clothing should also be light and allow the body to breathe otherwise you will quickly start feeling very hot and sticky.  In this respect dresses made out of lycra, silk, chiffon or satin are probably your best bet.

Footwear – dancewear shoes, such as those used for ballet, ballroom or tap are not the same as normal or athletic shoes which are designed to grip the floor.  Most dance techniques involve a degree of slipping and sliding on the dance floor which can cause damage to your knees and ankles if you don’t use the correct type of footwear.  Proper dancewear shoes shoes are usually leather or suede soled and you must make sure they fit your foot properly, making sure there is no danger of them slipping off.  Unfortunately dance shoes are no good for normal casual, everyday wear.

Accessories – if dancing with a partner, then wherever possible avoid wearing such items as watches, jewellery, large belt buckles, etc so as to avoid any snagging on your partners clothes.  The same applies to any metallic clips or hooks as might be found on trousers and bra straps or loose objects in trouser pockets such as coins and car keys.

For centuries tribal dancing has been used as means of celebration; a way of storytelling or a medium for putting across an important message and every type of tribal dance has its own characteristic type of dancewear costume reflecting its history.  For example, the traditional dancewear clothes worn by Irish Dancers are based on the clothing by the peasants a hundred or so years earlier.

The oldest and most widely recognised form of tribal dancing today is the belly dance of which there are two specific types, the “Raqs Sharqi” and “Raqs Baladi”. The former version being the most well known, dynamic and popular in Western society and the later more of a folkloric dance.

When it was first introduced into western culture it was frowned upon by much of society as being immoral.  However belly dancing has more recently been found to be extremely therapeutic for both mind and body.  In fact dance therapy has even become recognised as being beneficial in the treatment of such conditions as Attention deficit disorder.

American Influence on Belly Dance Attire

Belly dancing has now been influenced by so many diverse cultures that the styles of clothing worn by the dancers have evolved enormously giving rise to a huge range of different clothes and accessories.

In America typical belly dance apparel as worn by women became known as a “bedlah” which is Arabic for suit and over the years been heavily influenced by Hollywood which is more reliant on the use of props to enhance the viewers enjoyment of the shows.

The dancers were usually singers, actors and musicians who would incorporate the use of  belly dancing accessories as isis wings, feather fans, canes and in some instances, even swords.  The more professional dancers would even create their own musical sounds through the use of finger cymbals.

Eastern Belly Dancing Clothes

In Egypt it is illegal to expose your navel in public so the belly dancers wear a body stocking to cover up the midriff. The skirts come in many shapes and sizes and the bras and belts are adorned with beading, rhinestones or sequins.  Belly dance belt hip scarves, belly dance veils, headbands, fringing and jewellery such as bangles, bracelets, ear studs, necklaces, chokers and anklets are all essential components in any authentic belly dance oufit.

Dance costumes Modern

With so many Films, shows, festivals, even dance holidays, etc, never mind the health benefits, it is not hard to see why tribal dancing is so popular and how they have inspired people to take dancing to a more professional level.   Yet probably the most attractive part of belly dancing is the wide diverse range of sexy, seductive costumes available today which provide an element of mystery and fantasy.

Whenever Tutu’s are mentioned, pictures of ballet dancers and little girl’s fairy costumes spring to mind.  For e very little girl there is something enchanting about wearing a TuTu, whether it be for a dance recital, a pageant or just a photo opportunity.  They are even becoming increasingly fashionable for other special occasions such as birthday parties.

With a little bit of imagination even an ordinary ballet TuTu can be transformed into a distinctive more expensive looking party or dancewear costume through the addition of such things as frills, sequins, beads, etc.

Evolution of The Tutu

The TuTu evolved out of necessity towards the end of the 19th Century.  Prior to that ballet was more of a social affair where the dancers dance wear  clothes were their normal everyday clothes which were heavy, clumbersome and highly restrictive in the range of movements exercised by the dancers.

As ballet and the operatic performances associated with it became more of an art form and gained in notoriety throughout the 1800′s the dancing costumes consisted of long skirts worn by the women along with tight laced bodices, and bloomers covering the legs to below the knees.  Over time they grew shorter and shorter enabling the audience to see the intricate footwork.

Styles of Tutu

These in turn evolved as a result of ballet becoming more professional and the dancers need for greater flexibility and ever more freedom of movement into what we recognize as the TuTu.  There are a number of different types of TuTu which are defined by the shape of the skirt such as: -

• The Romantic or Bell Tutu as defined by the flowing three quarter length bell shaped skirt
• The Pancake Tutu which sticks out around the hips kept stiff and flat through the use of wire and netting
• The Powder Puff Tutu with its light fluffy appearance

The Tutu Today

Today, they come in a whole range of colours and sizes and more professional dancers may even wear them adorned with rhinestones to give that extra sparkle. While it is still a popular item of dance wear clothing for certain types of dance the TuTu has been largely usurped by the leotard.  That said, as mentioned earlier, they remain very popular with young children who get a great deal of excitement and joy wearing variations of them as fancy dress costumes.

Learning and being able to dance has been proven to be an ideal aid in the physical and mental development of any child for the following reasons: -

• Dancing provides an ideal after-school activity keeping your child off the streets in a safe, secure environment.
• They are engaging with other children of varying ages all sharing a common interest enabling them to more readily make friends and build upon their social skills.
• Perfecting more complicated dance routines helps improve their bodies coordination and balance, not to mention keeping them fit

The main problem, however, is how do you get your child interested in dancing. True you may be lucky as your child may have natural affinity for dancing, but for others this may prove more of a challenge.

Stimulating an Interest in Dancing

One way to stimulate your child’s interest in dancing is to build on his / her natural desire to play through the use of kids dancewear costumes. After all, what girl does not want to dress up as a fairytale Princess; what boy does not want to dress up as their favourite Superhero.

Special events such as Xmas and Birthday parties provide an ideal opportunity. You organize it from home if you have the space, or for larger numbers of children you could book a dance party at a local dance centre based around a central theme. You will find more and more dance schools are starting to realize the potential of holding these events as a way of attracting potential new students.

In fact, speaking of dancing schools, what could be a more enjoyable and proud moment for any parent than that of seeing their little ones participating in that special performance.  And what could be more crucial than ensuring that they are wearing the perfect dance clothing for the occasion.

Finding the Right Kid’s Dancing Clothes

OK! So you let’s say you have decided on a type of party, the theme, venue, etc, but what about the costumes. Where a young child is concerned, dressing up may well be the most important aspect of the party; get it wrong and you could upset the apple cart so to speak.

When looking at kid’s dancewear you need to take the following criteria into consideration:

• Does the costume look fashionable or trendy? Children will always want to be seen to be “with it” in the eyes of their friends. Not conforming to popular trends can be seen to alienate them from other children.
• Are the costumes comfortable and a snug fit, allowing the skin to breathe? If not they will not get worn.
• Are the dancewear clothes light, flexible and durable enough to withstand the rigors of dancing / play?

Which ever dance costume you choose, be it say a Wicked Witch, a Dancing Queen or a Pirate the best way to ensure your child gets excited about a particular costume is to discuss it with them, appealing to their imagination.

Shop for the best costumes here children’s dance costumes

When taking up any type of sporting activity it is highly recommended that you use the right equipment to help avoid or reduce the risk of any serious accident or injury and when it comes to dancing the case for having the right footwear is no exception.

For a newcomer to the dancing scene this may seem a little extreme as you won’t be doing any of the more elaborate moves that you see professional dancers, or contestants of TV shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” performing. Then again, even a newbie learning to dance will not be just standing still on the dance floor. They will be learning different dance steps which may involve some twisting, turning or pivoting which is where the danger lies. A lot of normal shoes contain rubber soles which have an excessive grip on the dance floor making it awkward to move risking injury to the knees during those types of moves.

Shoes to Dance in

For ease of movement your dancewear shoes should both light and supple, much lighter than traditional everyday shoes. Plus while leather soles may make a reasonable alternative, suede soles tend to provide a superior slip to slide ratio on the floor. For added support proper dance shoes, especially higher heeled shoes may also incorporate a lightweight steel shank running from the centre of the shoe to the heel.

You will also quickly find out that dancing puts a lot of pressure on the feet so comfort and support are also of paramount importance. Any excess pressure or discomfort would soon become unbearable so you must make sure that they are a snug fit without cramping the toes and preferably with extra padding in the in-sole.

While more professional dancers may require different types of Dance Shoes for different occasions and types of dance, to also compliment the dancing costumes they are wearing; the good news for the novice dancer is that there are many types of dancewear shoes that are multipurpose, i.e. they can be used for more than one type of dance.

Dancing Sneakers

With novice dancers it is better to concentrate on using flatter shoes as opposed to higher heeled shoes to start off with until you feel more comfortable with the dance routines. To that end, dance sneakers may be your best options, especially where young children are concerned. This is because they are designed to provide more support to the foot while the split soles create increased flexibility for those twists and turns.

Dancing Ballet Shoes

These are designed to protect the ballet dancer’s feet and are available with either full or split soles.  New dancers would probably be best going for full sole ballet shoes.

Tap Dancewear Shoes

Renowned for the metal taps on the heels and toes which make the distinctive sounds

Dancing Ballroom and Latin Shoes

While they may look more like your ordinary everyday shoes they are built to be more comfortable, lightweight and flexible with suede or leather soles.  The Latin shoes also tend to have a slightly larger heel; around 1 to 2 inches for Men and up to 3 inches for women

The types of costume dresses you wear are a reflection, not just of your dancing preferences, but of you as a person; for if you did not feel comfortable being seen in them then you would not wear them.

Many types of dancing costumes have evolved from the Renaissance Period (14^th – 16^th Century); for it was a time of etiquette, chivalry and wealth.  From Pirates sailing the seven seas to Princes, Princesses and Knights of the realm, the clothes from around that period, particularly those worn by the aristocracy were works of art in themselves often decorated with precious stones and jewels.

Since then costume dresses have become a lot less cumbersome allowing much more freedom of movement, reflecting the fact that dancing has become more physically demanding with time.

The Renaissance was witness to a clothing and fashion revolution as what you wore became a reflection of your social standing and wealth, so it is no wonder that many party costumes, childrens dance costumes and dancewear clothes such as the tutu are a nostalgic reflection of those golden days.

Tutu Dancewear

Probably the most enduring costume dress of all time is the tutu.  This precursor to the leotard famed for its use in ballet performances has evolved over the years and owes its unique design to the need to allow audiences to view the intricate footwork of the dancers

Today the tutu has evolved and become incorporated into more fashionable clothing particularly for toddlers and young girls.  They have also come to play an important part in the development of many a kids costume such as a Fairy, or a Witch.

Dance Dress Costumes

Today, dancing costume dresses are available in many different, designs, shapes and sizes, from the long Evening Dress to shorter Belly Dancing Skirts.  They are designed to be lightweight so as, made from fabrics such as chiffon, lycra, cotton or silk to allow as much effortless free motion as possible.  After all, what is dancing about if it is not about movement and motion?

What’s more, dancing dresses are becoming ever more multifunctional and are no longer restricted to use by dancers alone.  With the festive season followed by New Year celebrations, fast approaching most people will be entering into the party spirit with a lot of them stepping out wearing any one of a variety of different outfits adapted from dancewear clothing ranging from fancy dress to prom and cocktail dresses.

These days dancing truly is the perfect solution to exercising while having a great time? In the original days of the ballet, dancing used to centre on the richness and excellence in the royal Italian Courts. Dancing encourages improved posture, tones your body, builds up poise and body awareness, promoting flexibility, and relieving tension.

Ballet is the skill of dancing that requires strength, resilience, grace and elegance all at the same time yet professional ballet dancers make it look fairly easy as it is delivered with such accuracy when it comes to its movements. It is really an elite method of dancing that needs considerable foot muscle movement, coupled with suspension on the toes. For example dancing en “pointe” is the act of rising to the tips of your toes whilst executing steps from ballet technique.

Ballet Dancewear

It is precisely because of the rigours of ballet dancing that your typical ballet dancewear clothes are very basic to allow maximum movement and flexibility, consisting mainly of: -

• The Leotard – to show off your natural curves while allowing the body to breathe
• Dancing Ballet Shoes – designed to protect the feet and ankles as well as improve performance
• Dancewear Tights – particularly important when it comes to competition dancing
• Tutu Dancewear – the predecessor to the leotard now tending to be used more by young girls

Ballet really is separated from other kinds of dancing through its exact movements; its formal expressions and postures. Ballet dancing commonly accompanied with classical music is referred to as classical ballet and that was the primary method of ballet based upon conventional techniques.

Training and Technique

Ballet dancers usually require long-term on-the-job coaching to achieve success. They need to grow to be at ease with one another and be able to rely on one another. Lyrical dance emphasizes this particularly well as it is a mixture of slow-moving jazz and ballet dancing which emphasizes technique and expression via music. The dancers convey ideas, tales, rhythm, and sound through the use of their bodies.

The basic principles of classical ballet techniques have to be completely grasped to develop strength for pirouettes, before moving on to ballet lessons in “pointe” shoes. These are tailored for developing the dancer’s overall versatility and expertise, including leaps, turns and jumps, whilst building on their expertise and developing their arms, legs and shoulders. In 1820, Carlo Blasis from Milan set down the criteria for ballet as we now know it enabling a lot more variety of movements.

Modern ballet is actually a technique which was designed in the states through the early 20th Century. It is thought to have been inspired by George Balanchine, thought to be the founding creator of this modern day ballet dancing style. When it comes to style, modern ballet doesn’t concentrate a lot on symmetry, as shown by how their performances appear to neglect the balance on the stage.

Arising from disenfranchised youngsters within the African-American neighbourhoods of New York,  Hip-Hop is having a powerful impact on younger people all over the world, In spite of numerous critics who claim that this style is materialistic, sexist and violent, Hip hop has presented individuals with a means to express their selves as well as provided a great way to exercise

Hip hop dancing incorporates a mixture of movements inherited from a combination of older well-known dancing styles, pantomime, and fighting techniques and whilst there have been a lot of changes through the years, the fundamental concept of rapping to a looped beat continues to be the basis for the majority of hip hop music.

Hip Hop Clothing Wear

This type of dance attire isn’t a newcomer on the fashion scene in the slightest.  The truth is they’ve been about ever since the early 1980′s and adopted by numerous distinguished sportswear and fashion brand names.  With typical Hip Hop clothing  comprising of Knee Length Pants, Loose T-shirts and sneakers, the garments will need to be quite loose to permit lots of free movements and also to minimize the level of friction brought on by parts of the body hitting the floor throughout the dance.

Hip Hop dancing is really a kind of dance that enables people to dress in various ways.  Since it is not so formal, nor are the clothing requirements.  Even young people donning hoddies and Jeans that seem to be one or two sizes too large might be seen as products of the Hip-Hop culture.  On the subject of dancing competitions however, colour co-ordination also has a part since the dancing attire should also be edgy and stylistic.

Bling

While it may be frowned upon in dance classes and competitions, bling was introduced into hip hop dancing where dancers would adorn themselves with such items as Metal Bracelets, Necklaces, Rings, etc which would become more elaborate over time.

Shoes to Dance in

The shoes are particularly important since they are in direct contact with the ground and must enable the feet to carry out spins and jumps in addition to a few of the more athletic gymnastic type movements utilized in hip hop dancing.  To this end thick soled Dance Sneakers or Jazz Shoes are the most commonly used?

Have you ever thought that maybe you should purchase dance sneakers when learning to dance? For anyone who is only just beginning to learn how to dance, investing in any type of dancewear shoes might appear to be a funny question, particularly when your reasons for dancing are simply just to boost your social life and connect with new friends; not to take it to a more professional level.

Why Buy Dance Sneakers

 So let’s look at a few of the reasons why you ought to be looking to purchase dance sneakers because they can save you from a great deal of heartache down the road.

Now, I recognize completely any ones objection relating to spending money on any form of dancewear clothes when you start out learning to dance as I used to think much the same way myself.   However you ought to think about this; day-to-day shoes or sneakers are not developed with the dancer in mind.

Excessive traction on the floor as a result of donning regular shoes or sneakers might lead to severe leg injuries when performing many of the jumping, twisting or turning movements that are commonplace throughout lots of dancing routines. Furthermore, look at how flexible and versatile the shoes are that you’re currently using.

The second thing is, do they really offer sufficient cushioning and support for the feet? The primary reason behind this is that all the jumping, twisting and turning will place more pressure than normal on the feet and ankles, especially if performing part to side movements.

Dance Sneaker Shoes in Detail

If we examine them in greater detail, we are able to note that most dance sneakers incorporate split soles which allow for greater overall flexibility. The suede or leather and nylon mesh which make up the upper section of dance sneakers enable the feet to breathe whilst supplying added comfort.

Additionally, the raised heel and mid soles are cushioned, serving as shock absorbers while supplying additional support and comfort for your feet! And, the lacing systems on dance sneakers are so fashioned that the sneakers hug the feet supplying increased support whilst enabling greater freedom of movement.

Lastly, they’re so adaptable they can be employed for a range of different dances and activities like school shows, ballet (for newbies), cheer-leading and aerobic exercises.

It really is for the above factors that I recommend purchasing dance sneakers when learning to dance, particularly if you’re planning on performing more lively forms of dancing or dancing aerobics like the Zumba in which comfort and ample support is of paramount importance.

So whilst, at first glance they might seem to be inconsequential, purchasing dancewear shoes, dance sneakers could turn out to be one of the better purchases you could make. This is especially valid wherever young kids are involved who, through the very nature of their youth are much more lively and energetic.