Summer Dance Looks!
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak”
I used to be quite bored when picking out which clothes to wear for ballet class. I would always end up with the same old plain leotard and the first pair of sports shorts I could find in my closet. I was comfortable, but after some time I noticed the effects of the subtle connection between my outfit and my mood during class. The less I was taking care of my outfit, the less I was feeling confident in class. As tired of that vicious circle as I was, I decided to buy a new leotard.
I researched which colors would suit my skin tone best, which neckline would make my upper body stand out —and after some tries, I finally found the leotard of my dreams: a ¾ sleeved coffee colored leotard with a V-cut neck.
I was over the moon the first time I wore my new leotard in class and I noticed how even my dancing was more exciting that day. I was feeling confident and full of energy and it was all thanks to a simple leotard. That was the day I became fond of ballet fashion, if such a term even exists.
I want to share a bit of my passion with you and since it’s summer, why not talk about summer ballet fashion? How shall we stylishly dress up for summer classes without sacrificing comfort? What makes a summer dance look?
I find that the best way to dress up for the summer is to get inspired by the season itself. What do you think of when I say “summer?” Maybe the beach, the warm sun, maybe cherries and strawberries or Kitri’s fan (if the weather is so hot you cannot live without it)!
Great, but how do we translate all of this into dancewear? It’s simple: let’s recreate summer with the right fabrics and colors!
Light fabrics and breathable materials
There is nothing better than dancewear that makes you feel fresh and delicate, especially with the summer heat. Choose your fabrics carefully. I am a huge fan of lycra, mesh and light-weight cotton: all ideal for the warm season as they allow the skin to breathe while providing maximum comfort while dancing.
Bright colors or soft pastels
Summer calls for dancewear in all kinds of bright colors. Strong magenta, bright red, yellow, pistachio and sky-blue are just some of the numerous options you can pick from. Have fun and create your own summer palette by mixing and matching your favorites!
A great alternative to bright colors are pastels. Not only do pastels look elegant no matter what, they are also rather versatile when it comes to pairing them. You can go for a monochrome look, a pastel color paired with neutrals (such as white and nude) or even match a pastel to a bright color. We will see some examples later in this post.
My summer picks are light pink, light and dark blue, lavender and turquoise. What are yours?
Fun summer-themed patterns
What about flower or fruit themed patterns? They will come in handy the days you want to go for something different than the typical plain leotard. These kinds of patterns also lift your mood up if you feel a little blue.
You can experiment with colors by choosing skirts, shorts and accessories that tone with one of the colors in the pattern. My current go-to look includes this Bruskstrokes Top Half leotard paired with this Monica Skirt in Teal: I love the color combination, the leotard’s pattern and the soft fabrics!
Shorts and skirts
Wearing ballet tights in summer is not always an option and dancing bare-legs can sometimes be just as uncomfortable (at least to me). The solution? Go for shorts of all kinds and skirts of all lengths.
If you prefer to wear tights, like me, try to cut some of your old pairs right below or a little above the knee and wear them over your leotard. You will be able to cope with the hot weather without sacrificing the nice support feeling you get from your tights.
Accessories
Accessories are not always a must, but they can complete your look and are so much fun to put together!
During my first years of pre-professional training, my teacher encouraged us students to wear a small accessory in our bun that would recall our leotard’s color. We were free to pick anything we liked: shiny pins, flowers, scrunchies, ribbons and so on. She used to say that by choosing a small accessory, we would develop good taste and personality and that this would make us stand out. Even today, for auditions and master classes, I have the habit of wearing something in my bun that matches my leotard’s color. The perfect way to complete an outfit without going overboard.
With all of this said, it’s time for the bonus! Following the suggestions we just talked about, I put together five different summer outfits that you can wear to your classes or even when you train at home on your own (believe me, dressing up for it will make a huge difference to your self-practice!).
Look #1
This look recalls the sea by pairing two different shades of blue. The floral pattern will make you stand out while looking delicate and elegant.
Leotard: Light Blue Small Florals Leotard
Skirt / shorts: Light Blue Sweat Shorts
Tights: long tights, no tights or cut above/below the knee
Accessories: wear white flowers pins in your bun to match the flowers in your leotard
Look #2
Basic doesn’t have to be boring. When it comes to ballet looks, a white leotard is pretty much like a white canva. This outfit is simple but tremendously stylish.
Leotard: plain white leotard of your choice
Skirt / shorts: Mermaid Skirt
Tights: long tights, no tights or cut above/below the knee
Accessories: long sparkly leg warmers
Look #3
We mentioned pairing bright colors with pastels. Here is how it looks! In this outfit we are also playing with the pattern, matching the blue strokes with a blue mesh skirt.
Leotard: Brushstrokes Top Half Leotard (bright summer colors, fresh and original look, Sweat-wicking, can be paired with many colors)
Skirt / shorts: Dark Blue Monica Skirt
Tights: long tights, no tights or cut above/below the knee
Accessories: complete your look with a cotton tote bag for a real summer vibe
Look #4
Bright colors can be intimidating, but have a look at this combo and decide for yourself. I love this outfit’s contrast. Do you? It reminds me of Coppelia’s costumes from the Bolshoi Theater production.
Leotard: blue leotard of your choice
Skirt / shorts: Mustard Monica Skirt
Tights: long tights, no tights or cut above/below the knee
Look #5
In this outfit we are pairing a bright color with a soft pastel. Apart from the colors, what I really like in this outfit is the romper’s fabric: light and breathable cotton. Great look and awesome comfort!
Leotard: Polkadot Pink Cathy Leotard
Skirt / shorts: Salmon Pink Short Cotton Romper
Tights: long tights, no tights or cut above/below the knee
How will you dress for your dance classes this summer? Which is your favorite look? Let me know by leaving a comment! If you try any of the styles, feel free to send us a pic or post it on Instagram tagging @dancebylina_dancewear
My first article on Dance by Lina’s blog has come to the end. For those who don’t know me, I am Alessia and I am a dancer in training who is fond of writing about anything ballet related. Starting with this post and moving forward, I will be writing with Dance by Lina. So, if you enjoyed reading, stay tuned for many more articles to come!
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Sources
How to wear pastels https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a5985/pastel-outfit-inspiration/ (21/06/2021)
Quotes on fashion (for the intro)
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a1576/50-famous-fashion-quotes/ (22/06/2021)
Colors that match mustard yellow
https://www.hunker.com/13411214/colors-that-match-mustard-yellow (22/06/2021)