How to Pick the Perfect Dance Show Costume: Hear from the Experts!

Written by
Charlotte Jones
3
min read
Marketing
Growth

Choreography done, running times done, venue hire done, promotional comms done, surely there’s no more work required! It seems a dance school owner’s work is never done! One of the most important elements of your show is the costume selection.

We know that there’s a lot to consider, from fabric, to movement, to effective storytelling that matches your well thought out dances. It can be an overwhelming decision, but luckily we have some friends in high places who are happy to help.

ClassForKids have proudly teamed up with IDS (International Dance Supplies), known for being number one in their field, unrivalled in quality and expertise. They’ve put together a professional guide to make sure you select your dance show costumes with confidence.

Understand The Theme

Always start with the basics:

❓ What’s the vibe of your performance?

❓ What narrative do you want to portray?

Understanding your theme inside and out will help guide your dance show costume decisions and ensure they fit the concept. Whether your piece is light and joyful or dark and dramatic, the costumes should reflect that energy and pull it all together. By mastering the theme, your dancers can forge a deeper connection with the audience, making it more memorable and impactful.

🎬 ACTION:

Have a visual starting point – create a moodboard. This will make it easier to narrow down your options later.

Look for inspiration everywhere. Explore dance history, fashion trends, and nature, then add anything to your moodboard that resonate with your theme and choreography.

Timing is everything!

You have many responsibilities besides planning the show. With the event still months away, it may not be a priority in your daily tasks. However, a common mistake to avoid is not allowing enough time.

You might be waiting for parents to commit to the show or for payments to come in before purchasing costumes. But the sooner you start planning and ordering costumes, the better. Costumes are such a huge part of the show, so get them as early as your budget allows.

🎬 ACTION:

Plan your costumes as far in advance as possible.

By planning and ordering costumes well in advance, you’ll minimise stress as the show date approaches. This will save any scrambling for costumes just weeks before the event, trying to get everything in order.

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Expert Takeaway

IDS resident costume expert, Kate, has some advice for dance school owners who are new to the process of choosing costumes for their show.

"Putting on a dance show is a balancing act, especially when it comes to involving parents. Of course you want them to feel included, but remember, it’s your school and your vision! When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so planning ahead is key. If you’re gearing up for a show, delegate tasks wherever you can. Finding a helpful parent or assistant can lighten your load significantly. Keep the big decisions, like costumes and ticket sales, in your hands since you’re the one paying for everything. Offload as many tasks as possible to others and keep your focus on what really matters."

In the end, the goal is to create a seamless experience where the choreography, music, and costumes all work together to tell a story. So, take a deep breath, tap into your creativity and have fun with the process!

IDS give you confidence on stage, while ClassForKids gives you confidence backstage! For help with parent comms, admin and finance management, we’re the industry’s leading software. [.pink__text]Find out more here.[.pink__text]

Charlotte Jones