Modern dance is a unique style that shows the emotions of a dancer. This type of dance started out as a branch of ballet and uses the same form and techniques as ballet but incorporates free movements, which are based on the dancer’s emotions. However, it is not as strict as ballet and does not need a specific costume.

Modern dance needs clothes that show the shape of your body. Aside from the usual ballet clothes, women’s costumes for modern dance include other items and buying the right ones is important for comfort.

What to wear for modern dance

If you are going to a modern dance class, your instructor will give you a guideline outlining what to wear. The costume that you wear will be determined by theme of the dance. Here are some of the clothes that you will need for modern dance:

Fitted clothes

These are form-fitting clothes just like those worn by ballet dancers. Fitting clothes are necessary because there are complicated dance moves and the instructor needs to see your form. The clothes that you should wear include a tight camisole, leggings, and a fitting top.

Some dancers also wear unitards, leotards with tights, and skirts depending on the dance type. If you wear fitting clothes, your instructor will be able look at your form and correct any mistakes.

Footwear

Many modern dancers prefer to dance barefoot. However, you can opt for ballet slippers, foot thongs, or foot gloves. This type of footwear is thin and light, giving the look of naked feet but offering protection for the balls of your feet and soles.

Suitable clothes for performances

Dance clothes come in many styles and do not need to be form fitting. Many dance routines have elegant movements that flow and require appropriate clothes such as gaucho pants and dresses. The color of your clothes also plays an important role in depicting the theme of a dance and the emotions it wants to convey.

For instance, a bright red unitard will portray strong emotions and energy, while light-colored clothes such as grey or pink show sadness or softness. A modern dancer can wear a wide array of clothes. Therefore, you should know what a modern dancer wears before you go shopping. The clothes that they wear:

 

Upper wear

Upper wear should be comfortable, stretchable, and figure hugging. Common upper wear usually includes:

Leotards

They display the dancer’s shape during a routine and only cover the upper part of the body. They can be worn on their own or paired with leggings, pantyhose, or tights. Leotards come in a variety of styles, including long sleeved, sleeveless, and short sleeved.

Unitard

A unitard is a type of leotard that not only covers the upper body but also extends to the legs. Just like a leotard, it is stretchable and skin-tight thus giving the dancer freedom of movement. Unitards are usually worn on their own.

Bottom wear

Bottom wear for modern dancers is usually anything that goes with the theme, including:

Shorts and skirts

Modern dance clothes need to be comfortable to allow you to move without restriction. For this reason, skirts and shorts are a popular choice.

Pantyhose, leggings, and tights

These clothing items cover the legs and provide a good range of movement. They only differ in opacity, where leggings are the most opaque and pantyhose the least opaque.

 

Are you looking to buy dancewear? Stores such as https://www.justforkix.com/ offer a wide variety of dancewear to choose from, including leotards, tights, and shoes. You should buy your attire in person to ensure that if it fits.