My fellow "curvy" ladies who dance, I know you join me in frustration with finding dancewear that provides enough coverage and support! Most dancewear brands cap at a size medium or large, and the few "plus size" options there are leave a lot to be desired aesthetically. Womp, womp.
I saw sometime last year that DiscountDance.com released a line of Curvy Fit leotards by the brand Natalie. I was hesitant to give them a try for some reason, but they're on clearance right now so I decided to give them a shot. I'm so glad I did, and wish I would have sooner!!
PROS:
FINALLY. More fabric. My boobs actually fit above the waist seam!
A substantial bust lining elastic provides more support.
A back scoop low enough to be pretty, but high enough to cover a bra strap.
CONS:
I don't like all the weird seam lines in the cap sleeve leo. I don't understand why it's like this - can't the sleeve just be seamless like non-curvy leotards?
I would like another fabric option that isn't quite as shiny
Overall, my thoughts are relief and excitement that I finally have options that I know will keep me covered and supported! I think this is a great first step to expanding what is traditionally considered dancewear. "Curvy" people want pretty options too!
Since these leotards are currently on clearance, I suggest ordering now before they're gone!
I've been saying for two months I need to get another pair of pointe shoes before I go to the artÉmotion Adult Ballet Summer Intensive, but I FINALLY did it this week! And made a fun road trip day out of it - vlog and all!
I needed another pair of Suffolk Stellars and my friend, Kristin, needed to try a variety of shoes since she has been having a really hard time finding a good pointe shoe for this phase of her dance life! We remembered the Suffolk Dance Boutique is only a 3 hour drive from us, so we decided to go there and make a day of it!
We discovered this store is gigantic and carries all kinds of brands (including Yumiko! What?!) and we both had success with our shoes!! They also had bins of discounted leotards for $10 so we both ended up with the same floral print leo but in different colors, haha :)
To make the most of our drive down, we then found a nearby park and did a little photoshoot of each other while we waited for rush hour traffic to die down!
It was a super fun day and has me extra excited for our upcoming Intensive! If you want to join me, here's a link with info (June 3-8 in Salt Lake City). If you do enroll, use code "CARSON35" for a tuition discount! :)
Anyone else a fan of the stretch canvas shoe trend right now? I now own three pairs so let me tell you how that happened :)
Abby introduced me to the SoDanca "Bliss" shoe when I was visiting her in 2016. I loved how the shoe hugged my foot like a sock and that the padding on the split soles was thicker than most shoes. There is no draw string and the shoes come pre-sewn so you can literally buy them and walk into class - which is exactly what I did. There is something so satisfying about that!
I have gone through three pairs of the SoDanca shoes since then. When I went to order a new pair from Discount Dance recently, I saw there was a new Bloch stretch canvas shoe called the "Performa". I like the coloring from Bloch flat shoes and had been wanting to try a flesh toned shoe, so in my cart they went. I didn't realize at the time that they were on backorder, so I toughed it out with my holy SoDancas a while longer. When the Bloch shoes still hadn't arrived before I was headed to Kansas City, I went to my local store to get another pair of SoDancas.
While at the dance store, they recommended I try Capezio's stretch canvas shoe, the "Hanami", because it was most popular. It fit like a glove as well (tip: go up a 1/2 size from street shoe) and I liked that the sides were lower than the SoDanca shoe. Anything I can do to help out my super low profile foot :) So I was pleased with that purchase! And then guess what arrived while I was in Kansas City? The Bloch shoes :)
I have yet to wear the Bloch shoes to class, but guys, I cannot wait. They fit perfectly, the elastics come pre-sewn, the sides are low, the color makes my leg line look so long, and the best part of all is the size of the metatarsal pad! It is wider than both the Capezio and SoDanca, which feels super supportive for me and my metatarsalgia tendencies. It has almost a cupping feeling around the ball of the foot. It feels so nice! I will keep you posted on my thoughts after wearing them to class!
Bloch "Performa"
So, basically, I feel like you can't go wrong with any of these shoes! They are all very similar, but as someone who loves to analyze the differences in shoes, I thought I would share my thoughts for those in the market to order a pair!
Do you wear stretch canvas shoes? What's your fave and how long do they last you? Comment below!
Happy December! It's officially the holiday season and we are so excited for festive outings and cozy nights at home! It's also time to send that Christmas list out and start shopping for others, so we are back again this year with another Gift Guide for Dancers!
We are proud of ourselves for filming this one "together" and we hope you enjoy our little mash up :) Here are 10 things Abby and Jana are asking for or suggest asking for this Christmas 2017!
This Gift Guide video kicks off our Vlogmas series in December where we post two to three holiday/festive videos a week until Christmas! If you're not subscribed to our YouTube channel, do so here to follow along!
About a month ago I shared my collection of ballet flats, so now it's time to give the pretty pointe shoes the spotlight!
I have to admit, I love the process of pointe shoe fittings! It's like trying to solve a puzzle. I don't have overly complicated feet, but my longer second toe tends to be the biggest issue for me when finding a good fit. Here are the shoes I've worn in the past 12 years since coming back to ballet as an adult!
Because there's no such thing as too many shoes, right?
I don't know what it is about ballet shoes, or any ballet attire for that matter, that makes it so hard for me to get rid of. I have no problem throwing away magazines from last month, street clothes I don't wear, or household items that never get used, but ballet shoes that I never wear? Well, we must keep those!! :)
I love trying new ballet shoes so I've acquired a small collection over the past five or so years (and a bonus old leather pair that has to be from at least nine years ago!). I had a fun time going through these and even wore a pair this week that I had completely forgotten about :)
Watch the video below and give it a thumbs up if you too love ballet shoes. And you don't even have to ask - I'm definitely doing a pointe shoes collection video next!
I finally put on my Freedpointe shoes tonight after class! These are the ones I got in New York in May. They are Classic Pros, Anchor Maker, No X, size 6.5. I can't believe I have waited this long to put these puppies on, but life has been busy and I wanted to have my full attention when I gave these a run for the first time.
Last Saturday I did a pointe workout at home, fully intending on wearing my Freeds, but remembered I needed to Jet Glue them first! Every Freed-wearer I've encountered has said to do this before wearing them to prolong their life, and I wanted to make sure I did that! So I did pointe work in my Capezio Arias (to Kathryn Morgan's new Beginner Pointe Class video, btw. It's excellent.).
I'm actually glad I did that class in my Arias because I was able to easily compare doing the same class again in the Freeds. My initial first impressions and thoughts beyond the obvious "OMG THEY'RE SO PRETTY!" are:
The more I did in them the more comfortable they got - like they were molding to my feet. This is probably why they are known to not last as long!
The platform is really flat and "sharp" feeling, if you understand what I mean by that. It's lovely for securing your placement once you're up there, but right now I'm having a hard time getting fully over the platform every time. I didn't do any additional work on the shank prior to wearing them, so I will try that before next time.
I'm noticing I'm not currently getting my weight over my first three toes en pointe. It was noticeable in both my Capezios and Freeds, so I know I can't blame it on a shoe :) This is something I've had to fix before, so I have faith I can fix it again!
I like one shoe better than the other. Freeds are handmade so every shoe is going to fit a little differently. I like the one on my left foot better from this pair!
They just...feel different. I don't really know how to explain this, but it comes back to the handmade factor and materials. These are softer-feeling, but not less supportive. There is a comfort level I haven't experienced in other shoes.
So, I will work on adjusting the shank to help me get over the platform all the way. I did a lot of forced arch stretches to try to hold myself in that sweet spot over the platform, but my darn feet just aren't there yet. I think if I can get there, I will really like these shoes. But this also confirmed just what a great fit the Arias are on me. They've been my best-fitting shoe ever! I'll continue to work in the Freeds, though, and maybe it will help with my feet strength and flexibility! I will keep you all posted :)
As I mentioned in our Gift Guide video in December, I have been eager to get my hands on the latest in ballet accessory tech: a custom mold shoe insert by Perfect Fit Pointe!
The idea is that this special putty material will mold around your toes and the box of your pointe shoe, and then harden kind of like a rubber ball, so that you have some bendy support. The putty is meant to distribute itself naturally, therefore alleviating your pressure points. Did I find that it worked? Heck yes!
In the kit you get two sets of the putty (one white and one green for each foot), a pair of cloth covers, plastic sheets for the molding process, and a cute pouch to keep it all in.
To start, you take one jar of the green putty and one of the white, and mix them together with your fingertips. Then you place the mixed putty over the tops and tips of your toes and cover with the cloth piece.
Before you put your pointe shoe on, you'll want to put the plastic piece over your toes so that the oils from the putty don't bleed into your shoe. Then you'll want to work through demi pointe and full pointe -- since I have a longer second toe there were special instructions for the modeling process.
When you're done you have a completely custom mold of your toes inside your pointe shoe!
I have found that these inserts are more comfortable and more supportive than my previous set up of a regular toe pad and a gel cover over my second toes. I am seriously impressed with this stuff! If you want to hear more about my review and molding process, check out the video review on YouTube! Let me know in the comments if you have tried this insert and whether or not you like it!
It's no surprise to you all that I like technology and ballet! Luckily the two get combined fairly often in dancewear, and I'm always curious to give things a try!
I was searching Discount Dance for a new pair of flat shoes since my current pair (Capezio Juliet in canvas) are just about toast. The things I love about the Juliet are the low profile and thinness of the fabric, while still being sturdy (I don't like super stretchy fabric). It hugs my foot in a flattering way and helps me stay lifted in my arches. The thing I don't like about them is how they don't hug my arch on demi-pointe. I like them in every other way, so I will definitely re-order them, but as things go with browsing Discount Dance, a new shoe caught my eye and I decided to give it a try!
The shoe I ordered is called the "Intrinsic" Split-Sole Ballet Slipper by the brand MDM. I ordered the canvas version, though they do make a leather version as well. Basically the inside of the shoe is a full-sole made of neoprene. And it's PINK! So cute! The neoprene goes all the way up the back of the heel. It takes a good one or two classes to get used to the slightly raised heel feeling, but it does make a difference in how long you can stand on your feet. The idea is that the padded full-sole on the inside will help strengthen muscles in the feet and legs, while the split-sole on the outside still provides flattering arch hugging, where traditional full-sole shoes have fallen short.
I would definitely agree that the sole makes you work your feet harder. I feel like my pointe doesn't look that great in this shoe right now, which makes me want to avoid wearing it, but I feel like I should push through to see if I really can gain some more strength in my feet!
I talk further about this and show them on my feet in them in this video below, so check it out! And let me know if you've tried this shoe!
I was browsing the activewear section at Target last month when I spotted a pair of pants that looked perfect for warming up in ballet class. So I bought them and figured they would end up as yet another unused Target purchase, but no! They feel a little...okay a lot like wind pants from the 90s, but who cares? They are so useful!
They are loose so I can easily get them on and off over my tights
They have a drawstring waist
They are lightweight
They have elastic and zippers at the ankles!
That last bullet point is what is really great about them. The elastic around the ankles keeps the pants out of the way of your feet. When you start to get warm, the elastic allows you to pull them up to knee height (or wherever)! This is where the zipper is super handy because when you close the zipper all the way at knee height, they don't fall down your legs as you move! Woo hoo!! And though they look like early 90s wind pants, they don't make the swishing noise! :)
One of the luxuries of being an adult is that you never ever have to wear pink tights to ballet class if you don't want to :) For me, I've been more comfortable in black tights ever since puberty! I've gone through many a pair but have now found my two most favorite black tights ever.
First up is the incredibly inexpensive Theatricals Adult Footless Tights. They are thin, but sturdy, super soft, and the biggest perk: the waistband isn't super tight! Since I have a short torso my hips can sometimes feel like they're practically at my boobs, but with these tights I can wear them lower on my waist without them sliding back up. I like this for two reasons: 1) I feel like it gives me the illusion of a longer torso and 2) It keeps me in check with engaging the "belly button to spine" placement.
I have three pairs of these tights that I've been rotating through over the past year and I have yet to have one snag or run (I say this and now I probably will!). For $6.25 a pair, there's no reason not to order them!
My second favorite pair of black tights is the Eurotard Ankle Length Legging. Unlike the Theatricals tights, these are pretty much opaque, which is super slimming. Because they are called a legging they are thicker than regular ballet tights, but they are just as stretchy! The waistband is super wide so it makes it extra comfortable on those bloated days. Here are some photos of them:
It seems many of you are reaching your goals of going on pointe! So first off, Congratulations!! There is no more exciting a time for a ballet dancer than getting pointe shoes for the first time! :)
If you are completely new to pointe shoes as an adult, you may be wondering just what to expect when you go to the store to get fitted. There is so much build up to this moment, that it can be a bit nerve-wracking when it gets here. It's the first time you'll actually stand on pointe! But no need to panic. You will be great :)
Below I've compiled some tips & information to help you prepare!
Attire
If you plan to dance in your pointe shoes with pink tights over your feet, wear pink tights to your fitting. If you plan to dance in them barefoot, try them on without tights. Wear shorts, yoga pants, or loose pants that you can easily roll up so you can see what's going on with your feet and ankles. Full ballet class attire is not necessary.
What to Bring
If you are brand spankin' new to pointe, then you'll want to purchase some kind of toe pad either online beforehand or at your dance store. I really like the Ouch Pouch Jr. Large. Once you've been on pointe for awhile and have an idea of what kind of toe protection you like best, make sure you bring that to every fitting after. The general rule is that you don't want too much protection on your feet because you still want to be able to "feel the floor". I, personally, wear my Ouch Pouches with the Bunheads Big Tip on my second toes because they are crazy long and I lose my toenails without them! I'm currently not using toe tape since getting back on pointe in December, but when I do need it, this stuff is amazing. Don't buy the off brand version because it does not work as well!
What Will Happen
The person fitting you will first measure your feet for length & width. They will also take note of your toes shape & length, and your arch height. Based on this information they should have an idea of what shoes to start with. If you want more background information on that process, Abby and I go into more detail about the different parts of the pointe shoe and how they fit different feet types in our Intro to Pointe Shoes video.
From there, I would say the trying on process can be as quick as a 1/2 hour, to as long as 2 hours if you're a first timer. It can be tricky the first time around to understand what you should consider "comfortable" because honestly, you're standing on your toes, it's not like trying on jazz shoes or soft slippers! BUT, I do think you will notice the sweet spot of comfort after trying on many different types of shoes.
You should try on as many pairs as you need until you find a pair that:
Allows your toes to lay completely flat (no curling or scrunching) when standing.
Feels snug around your foot and toes, but doesn't pinch anywhere when standing, on pointe, or on demi-pointe.
The shank/sole stays even with your foot (no movement to the side when on pointe).
Allows you to get fully over the platform (flat portion at the end of the shoe) without buckling over.
There are many more factors than those three, but I think those are some big ones to be aware of when your fitter is asking you questions about how a shoe feels. The more you can communicate what's happening inside your shoe, the quicker the fitting process will go (not that you have to be quick. please take your time!). If you happen to get a really good fitter, they will know before you ever even go on pointe if a shoe is going to work or not! Which brings me to...
Final Tips
If possible, go to a well-recommended dance store that carries a variety of pointe shoe brands. Twice I have driven 3 hours to get a really good fitting at a superb dance store!
The person fitting you should bring out as many shoes as needed until you find a fit. If you don't find a fit, or they seem annoyed to bring out more than three pairs of shoes, I would take your business elsewhere.
Before you sew or do anything to your shoes, have your teacher look at you in them to double check they are a good fit!! Pointe shoes can not be returned if the satin is scuffed or the shoe has been altered in any way!
Let me know in the comments below if this was helpful to you! I'd love to hear about your first fitting experiences if you'd like to share! And if you fancy watching me talk about these tips, check out our corresponding video right here!
With a new season approaching I'm looking to add a little something new to my dancewear collection. Just the other day I received Discount Dance's fancy catalog full of photos from the new Mariia leotard collection. There were a few I had my eye on, which of course turned into a two hour browsing session of leos, skirts, shoes, warmups, & tights on discountdance.com...I know you guys know how that goes! :)
The new Mariia leotard collection seems to be following along the Yumiko signature look, but without the price tag (and the customization). I love that they offer XL sizes for us curvy girls! Has anyone tried these yet and have thoughts on them?
I go back and forth about wearing skirts. Sometimes I feel bigger wearing a skirt, but other times I think it could flatter my hip/thigh area if I could find one with the right shape and length. This M. Stevens wrap skirt is 14" in the front and 17" in the back so I think it could be perfect...I also love that the ties are satin to show off the waistline. If it's the right length I may even buy it in a color! Gasp!
Of course with cold weather approaching I have to start thinking about how I'm going to keep my body warm during most of barre. I love this Capezio jumpsuit because it's just one big layer of coziness. I imagine I could wear this lounging at home :) I always like the look of warm up jumpsuits but I've never tried one myself. I'd like to give it a try! But the Wear Moi wrap sweater I know would be flattering on me and would be great to wear over tank leotards when I'm feeling self-conscious about my arms. I feel like it's a classic ballerina look and I don't know why I haven't purchased one before!
And finally, most of you will be surprised to find pink tights on this list as I'm most definitely a black tights gal, but I do love to occasionally wear the classic pink tights and black leo. If I'm in a ballet funk, wearing this to class makes me feel like a proper ballerina and it gives me that boost to work harder. I chose these Body Wrappers mesh tights because I recently photographed a ballerina wearing these tights and I loved the color and overall appearance of them. I don't usually wear mesh tights, so for the sake of trying something new, these appealed to me!
What's currently on your dancewear wish list? If you have any of the items I've listed and want to share a review of them in the comments I would love that!
