Today we will talk about clothing suitable for a dance lesson for pepper practice. In classical dance, even if it may seem obvious to specify it, the basic training kit includes three fundamental elements: body, tights, demi-pointe. It is very important to get ballroom practice wear.

My leotard: Cotton or Lycra

The dance leotard can differ both for the modeling and for the fabric of realization. Opting for a specific model is mostly a matter of individual taste except for requirements linked to internal regulations of the academies or to specific teaching methods.

.Cotton as a natural fiber is a hypoallergenic fabric, which absorbs sweat very well and is quite resistant over time.On the other hand, cotton is a poorly elastic fabric that tends to shrink after a few washes.Therefore this fiber does not guarantee an optimal fit and comfort and, due to the effect of the sweat impregnation, it is subject to discoloration and bad smell and therefore does not allow an aesthetic constancy over time.

Lycra is a synthetic fabric with great elasticity, it tends not to discolour if washed at low temperatures and therefore guarantees greater wearability and color consistency over time.Since it has poor breathable properties, lycra can promote irritation or allergic reactions to its components, especially for the most sensitive skin.To overcome this drawback, some manufacturers line the bodysuit internally with a layer of hypoallergenic fiber or breathable mesh.

This measure achieves the result of better defining the body line and increasing the feeling of comfort due to the greater support and compactness guaranteed by the double layer of fabric.In general, it is therefore preferable to buy internally lined bodysuits regardless of whether they are made of lycra or stretch cotton

Dancing demi-pointe shoes are divided into 4 main categories: canvas demi-pointe with full sole, canvas demi-pointe with split sole, leather demi-pointe with full sole and leather demi-pointe with split sole.

The full sole guarantees greater support on the floor and being more rigid in the curvature forces the foot to a greater effort.

This type of sole is certainly more suitable for the first courses. The students must in fact learn to point the foot, as well as to strengthen it, but at the same time they must perceive greater stability in contact with the floor.

The broken sole also called teardrop because of the shape tends to adhere more to the foot, enhancing its line and facilitating movements thanks to greater contact of the foot with the parquet.