For most students of ballet, the costume is probably the most fun part of the routine. Costumes can be for the warm-up sessions or for performances. Warm-up gear is made of heavier material and covers most of the body. These pieces are no-nonsense varieties and lack the frills and beauty of costumes used on stage.
Most students prefer leotards and unitards while practicing. The leotard is usually a skin tight garment that covers the upper body and leaves the legs free. These are usually teamed with tights worn below them. A variant of this is the unitard, which covers the legs as well. These garments give dancers flexibility and unrestricted movement. Most dancers also use leg warmers for their ballet routines. These are footless sock like accessories that are worn around the ankles, and may extend up to the calf. The leg warmers are thought to warm the lower calf and help stretch easily.
Performance costumes vary according to the needs of the routine. The tutu stands out as an iconic costume associated with ballet. Contemporary dance styles have introduced leotards and tights into routines too. The tutu is a skirt that often has a bodice attached to it. It comes in many varieties. The skirt may be layered singly and hanging down, or in multiple layers which stand out from the waist.
The romantic tutu has a long skirt made of tulle. This skirt usually reaches the calves and lends an ethereal quality to the dancer, which is often needed in romantic ballets. The classical tutu consists of a short bell shaped skirt and a bodice. The multiple layers and length make the skirt extend out from the dancer's hips. The pancake shaped tutu is another classical tutu that has extremely stiff layers of net extending from the hips. Both varieties of classical tutus come with a fitted bodice. The last variety is the Balanchine tutu that has fewer layers of netting and gives a softer impression.
No comments:
Post a Comment