Dance Teacher Tips: COSTUME CARE TIPS FOR DANCERS

COSTUME CARE TIPS FOR DANCERS

These easy steps take the stress out of preparing for a competition. Spend a few minutes caring for your costumes and shoes each time you wear them—then, when the next competition rolls around, you can simply pick up your garment bag and supply box and go!

Always hang your costumes. If you have more than one, try using a skirt hanger that holds five or six garments. (You may want to hang them in the order that you’ll wear them). Put the costumes in a garment bag for transport to the competition. If you are using a skirt hanger, you might need an evening-gown garment bag to accommodate the extra hanging length.
As soon as you get home, take your costumes out of the garment bag and hang them to air out. Fresh air is important for shoes and costumes. Damp shoes and apparel that have been stuffed Into a dance bag for a long time will smell musty. Never stuff costumes into a crowded space. Let them breathe between uses.
Shoes are an important part of a costume. Air-dry all shoes after each use. This keeps Pointe shoes strong for a longer period of time.
Check for dirt or stains on the costumes, and clean accordingly.
Check seams, stones, straps, and so on to be sure they are secure for the next use.
If a garment needs freshening up, spraying Febreze in the air around it works well to eliminate odors. (Do not spray it directly on the garment.)
Place tutus on a flat surface to help them maintain their shape. Hang romantic-style skirts upside down to keep them full and fluffy for a longer period of time.
The day after a competition, restock essentials such as hairpins, safety pins, makeup, needles and thread, and hot-glue guns.

By following these helpful hints, you will be prepared for the next competition. Since you won’t have to search for a missing headpiece or Pointe shoe, you won’t be frazzled or tense. Instead, you’ll be ready to dance!

Nancy Stone

Reprinted by permission from Goldrush Magazine - Sept/Oct 2005