WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DANCEWEAR?

Dance is generally viewed as a customary artistic expression that has been developed over time. Over time, dance has been developing in any way it can as long as it doesn’t go against the honor of what it signifies. Different styles of dance mean different things to different people and for certain dancers and choreographers, dancewear can be the defining feature which will dynamically establish dance activities as either entertainment or taboo.

One area where development influences all styles of dance, and can even be very questionable, is the area of dancewear. It has always been easy to appreciate or condemn a particular style of dance based on the dancewear and a number of other factors. Whatever dancewear dancers put on however, will influence how the acceptance of such style of dance among the general populace. The importance of dancewear in dance and dance evolution cannot be disputed. Over time, different styles of dance have been represented by the dancewear related to such dances.

The relationship between dance and dancewear is mind boggling and it does not just center on the dance tradition form a particular period, it however includes social behavior and cultural implications. Dancewear designers have to discover a harmony between tradition and development, they also have to keep in mind that the dancewear they design have a powerful effect on the dancewear situation at any point in time. Dancewear designers are also very careful of the fact that their innovation and inventions will push certain established boundaries; this can either be a good thing or a bad thing.

If the innovation is well received, it goes on to become a trend but if it isn’t, it can attract great criticism to the designer. Dancewear designs also help in the evolution of dance itself; a development or innovation in dancewear might inspire a corresponding development in other dance related factors or it might even directly influence the particular style of dance itself. In the case that a particular dancewear innovation does not work, designers have to keep exploring to develop new dancewear that will make dancers more comfortable and also sell the dance to the world.

DANCEWEAR DESIGN

There are several factors that influence how a dancewear is made, these factors are generally known to the designers and the prospective users of such clothes and all these factors come together to determine the functionality, popularity and acceptance of such dancewear and also the particular dance style in general. Without a proper knowledge of how these factors affect the dancewear and how they ultimately affect the dance activity, the can be no functionality in the design of such dancewear. Designers know this and this is why they strive to develop new and interesting dancewear by the careful interplay these factors. The factors include; materials, color, texture, pattern, footwear and the construction process.

Material

It is a known fact that dance involves a lot of movement, the way a dress hangs or moves on the body of a dancer is very essential. Also the material of any dancewear will affect the amount of light absorbed or reflected by that clothe. Materials like silk move easily and quickly around a dancer’s body and they are usually perfect for dancewear because they do not limit movement. Materials like chiffon, lycra and georgette are also very suitable for dancewear as they also do not hinder the dancer’s movement in space. Designers however, resort to using cotton when dancewear has to be dyed because cotton absorbs well.

Texture

This is one of the more technical factors that affect dancewear making. The texture of a fabric can actually help to pronounce certain parts of a dancer’s body; on the other hand texture also reduces attention to particular parts of a dancer’s body. How to create a dancewear that will suit the dancer’s need depends ultimately how good the designer is at working with different textures.

Color

Dancewear colors are very dependent on the type of dance and other accessories to be used in the dance. For example if it is a group dance, dancewear color can be used to draw attention to the key performer. Additionally, color has a direct effect on emotions of the viewers, because of this, dancewear colors are picked relevant to the type of emotion that is to be relayed during the performance. Colors also have a representational effect; most people believe the color white symbolizes purity, some believe that the color green represent envy and so on. Some designers are so talented that they can combine different layers of color with different colors reveled when the dancer moves in certain way.
Dancewear colors also complement body shape and skin color. It has been revealed that dancers in darker colors appear slimmer while dancers in lighter colors look bigger than they really are. There are several ways in which color influence dancewear and this knowledge is really important to designers and dancers as it directly or indirectly affects the dance performance.

Pattern

Just like texture does, the patterns on a fabric can actually help to pronounce certain parts of a dancer’s body. Lines and patterns can visually lengthen, shorten, thin or widen the body. There are several methods designers use to create patterns; tie-dyeing, patching, embroidering, spraying and many more.

Footwear

There are dances that demand a peculiar kind of footwear. Whatever the case may be, shoes should be mad to complement the dancewear while performing its peculiar function. For dances that involve a lot of turning movement, the footwear should be made to cover the ball of the feet, this will help the dancer to be able to do the turning movements without difficulty.

Construction Process

Dancewear are designed to allow dancers free movement without causing any destruction to the dancewear. Depending on the type and style of dance, dancewear are also made with accessories like shawls, false sleeves, collars and so on. Hook fasteners and Velcro are also used in cases where the dance requires quick changes in costumes. This particular factor also depends on the ingenuity of the designer and the construction method employed. How a dress is made affect the look of th

DANCEWEAR FOR DIFFERENT DANCES

The history of dance costumes is truly profound as dance has been an integral part of human existence for a long time; festivities in Europe from the 15th to the 18th century demanded decorative dancewear. At different times however, there have been referrals to a dancewear style form the past among designers, we have seen this in the development of cotemporary clothes like dance jackets, with designers incorporating historical feature with new ones to develop new inventions. Dancewear for different ball room dances are discussed below:

Dancewear for Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dancers from the mid nineteenth century were characterized by public, expansive and distinct night dresses that were intended to be perfect fits for these events. Styles like fox-trot, waltz, tango, rumba, bolero and many other styles required more exotic and erotic dancewear during the twentieth century. Clothes for ballroom dances are made to reflect the theme of love that is closely associated with these different dances.

Tango Dress

Typically, it comes in one piece which includes a tight-fitting top with the bottom slit very high to uncover the leg. Other materials are also introduced to ensure a tight outline. Tango dancewear are usually embellished exceedingly with rhinestones, beads and glitter.

Swing and Latin Dress

Fundamentally the same as tango dresses, however the substantially shorter sew line makes the dress more sexual and can uncover the total leg. Creature prints, for example, tiger or panther strengthen the wild undertone of these dresses.

Waltz and Fox-Trot Dress

Exquisite one-piece dress frequently made in costly lightweight silks or glossy silks. A wide-swinging, lower leg length style escalates the delicate steps that characterize these dances. The erotic theme of this dance is further portrayed by the sensuous styles of these dancewear.

Polka and Mazurka Dress

Peasant blouses were very popular in the 70s. Some designers at that time developed ethnic-style clothes with beautiful patterns and embroideries; this was in line with the traditional dancewear that were known with the dances.

Rumba and Samba Dress

These dresses come with differentiating creases on the skirt and sleeves; they are typically made in a Caribbean style with brilliant hues. Although dance wear for rumba and samba may appear fuller, the erotic implication is not totally lost in these dresses. There exists an exotic quality in these dancewear.

While there are several other types of dance; all of them have peculiar dancewear, just a few have been discussed above. The factors that however affect the making of these dancewear and the functionality remains the same for all dancewear regardless of the style of dance. As long as the dress allows smooth performance of dance activities without any hindrance whatsoever. Additionally, culture directly affects dance and dancewear, just as culture varies, the implication of dance varies across different culture; needless to say, with dance varying with culture, dancewear also varies with culture.