You have your dance costume concept selected and illustrated- Now it's time to choose fabrics!
Regardless of the look you are trying to achieve, the best fabrics for dance costumes incorporate spandex. This ensures that your form fitting garment can MOVE with you when you dance. The fabric you choose depends a lot on your costume concept - do you want something edgy and futuristic (think hologram accents!), or lightweight and elegant (think sheer mesh!).
Below, we break down our go-to fabric options that most costume companies have available. There are plenty of novelty and specialty fabrics out there that make amazing costumes - but here are a few of the tried and true basic favorites that will work for any dance costume!
Price range: $
Great for: A solid color basic that can be used for anything!
Description: Tricot is your go-to for a solid color fabric! Pronounced "Tree-coh" with a silent T. This fabric has a slight sheen (shiny Tricot) however some colors are offered with a matte finish. Tricot is the most common fabric found in dance costumes because of the wide range of colors available, as well as it's superior stretch properties!
TIP: Tricot is the best fabric for long term use - the stretch is optimal and it is free of specialty finishes that can dull over time!
Price range: $ to $$
Great for: Lightweight skirts, billowy tops, or sheer insets!
Description: Mesh is a sheer, lightweight, and flowy fabric that can work for almost anything! Create an airy feel with a mesh skirt, or an edgy look with mesh cut outs - it's one of the most versatile fabrics available. It also comes in a variety of textures from soft micro mesh to oversized Pop Mesh and Big Hole Mesh.
TIP: Use caution when pairing textured mesh with sequin fabrics. The sequins can snag the mesh and create holes, so be strategic about combining these fabrics on your costume to keep them separate and avoid abrasion against each other.
Common mesh types include:
Price range: $$
Great for: Shimmery accents!
Description: Holograms have a foil-like surface treatment applied to a Tricot fabric - great for shine on the floor! We recommend using these novelty fabrics primarily as an accent on your costume, like in trim, collars, or waistbands. When used as an overall fabric, it creates a shiny robot "wet-look", which (to be honest) isn't always the most flattering!
TIP: Use caution with these fabrics if you plan to wear your costume for many years to come. The sheen of Myst, holograms, and sequins will wear and become dull overtime, especially in high abrasion locations like under the arms. With proper care this issue can be minimized and continue to look fresh for years to come!
Holograms come in a variety of styles:
Price range: $$$
Great for: Sparkle!
Description: Sequin fabrics can make your costume POP, and offer the most amount of sparkle at a distance! But that sparkle comes with a few downsides to consider: it's more expensive and it doesn't stretch as well as Tricot. This means you costumes can feel a little more snug, so keep that in mind when sizing.
TIP: Costumes with sequin fabric can also be scratchy - on the back of the fabric and in places where it can rub on the skin, like the under arms or cuffs. This means you may need to add a lining or fabric trim on the edges of your costume, which can add costs. So, make sure your budget allows this when choosing sequin fabrics!
Also, Sequins can dull over time, especially when exposed to chemicals like hairspray and dry cleaning solutions. Know that sequins flake off with use, but from a distance this will not be noticeable. Check out our blog for tips on how to properly wash your dance costume to extend the life of your sequin encrusted costume!
A few types of sequin fabrics include:
Price range: $$S
Great for: A feminine touch!
Description: Lace has to be one of our most requested novelty fabrics! The romantic look is trending hard, which means a plethora of this sheer, delicate, and feminine fabric. Not all lace is created equally though - you'll want to make sure that it has enough stretch and is durable enough to work for your dance costume, in order to move with you and not tear.
TIP: Even the highest quality lace can be delicate, so think of this when you design your costume! Avoid lace next to sequins (it will snag) or in high impact areas like the knees (it will tear). You also may need to line lace because it is sheer, which can increase costs.
The two most common types of lace are:
Price range: $$
Great for: Added depth and opulence!
Description: Velvet is a fabric with a fuzzy, dense surface pile, creating a luxurious look. Velvet is BIG right now- and for good reason! With velvet you can get rich, deep jewel tones that you typically can't get with other fabrics.
TIP: The look of velvet can change depending on which direction you are looking at it! This is because of the "nap," or direction of the pile of fuzzy fibers. In one direction it can have a reflective sheen, in the other it can be deep and rich. Velvet also absorbs light, which can give the appearance of a slimmer figure!
If you plan to wear your garment for more than one year, consider the following:
There are some fabrics and colors that are easier to care for than others. Some things to consider about wear:
Stretch in dance costumes is essential! You'll want your costume to move with you, and allow you to perform at your best. There are some materials that have better stretch than others:
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