How to Choose a BALLET LEOTARD for YOUR BODY

[@lindaharrison3240]

Wow! Girth: what a concept! In 40 years of ballet, I have never seen a leotard anywhere near the word girth. I learned something new today!

[@everydayballet]

So glad I could illuminate it for you! Now you know! 🥰🩰🎉

[@TheALLYISLAME]

you have such a kind way of speaking ☺️

[@everydayballet]

Thank you. I’m very glad you feel the spirit of my words! 🙏🥰🌸👏🏻

[@virginiabotha3545]

First of all I have to compliment you on your tone of voice: beautiful, graceful, soft and easy on the ear. Thank you for your lovely video.❤

[@everydayballet]

Thank you. You are most welcome! It's such a pleasure to share my love of ballet! 🙏🏻💖🩰

[@katherenewedic8076]

Love your channel. So hard to find a Leos as an older injured dancer what I really want for support and warmth doesn't exist. *Measuring girth IS critical for a good fit

[@everydayballet]

Thank you! So glad you enjoy my channel! Yes, girth measurement is THE measurement! 🥰🩰🌸

[@katydid5088]

I have other issues where I have similar concerns (warmth plus injury support/prevention). My two cents is getting leggings lined or unlined and cutting them to the point where your sore spots are (so for me it's above the knee and at the elbow) I add 2'' seam allowance to do a double blind hem. Sew a stretch cuff right side out, 1/4'' then trim it down without cutting your stiches and sew as close as you can to that line with the wrong sides facing outwards. This encases the top of the legging in a double folded seam. Going over the top with a zig zag stitch on a sewing machine is even better and doesn't require getting special elastic thread, which in my experience is hit or miss when it comes to not jamming a sewing machine. You can also do this whole process by hand or with iron on seam sealing tape, just be aware you will loose some of the stretch. At that point adding a little gore, a triangle of fabric designed to give space at the top of a seam or line, can help. 1x1 in knit rib at the craft store is pretty sturdy although you could even try a stretch denim or any fabric cut on the bias with a tighter weave. For fabric, the older it gets the less shape it will hold as the fibers are stretched, shrunk, or wetted over time so choosing one with a good weave density will help with your leg warmers longevity. I've also tried adding compression and strengthening panels at different points (back and knees for myself) and have found some success without restricting my range of motion. Strips of 3'' ace bandage with fray check or pinked edges applied at the seams or back of the leotard is usually my go to for creating well fitting supportive leotards. I sew it to the underside of my leotard at the seams (by hand, would love to do it with a machine but the bandages are murder for sewing needles.) It is an undertaking to get them sized properly, especially because I don't have a dress makers form with legs. (in fact I haven't found ones that ARE designed to model whole human legs before, other than for store show room models.) In general I pick leotards with long sleeves and simply sew supports at the elbows, as fitting custom sleeves is a nightmare, for similar reasons as I listed above. Finally, as all of this looks pretty odd, I try and incorporate the lacing back or front or side as some sort of design element. Just because I have to wear some sort of support garment doesn't mean I want it to look ugly. If you decide to try the process, I recommend sacrificing a cheap/older leotard if you can while you work out fitment or sizing. Tacking fabric with a few whip stiches can give a good feel for how things will work and I usually trail sizing by doing a barre routine or a gymnastics warm up for beginners. Everything must be skin tight for this to work, the added layers will make your leotards heavier and harder to hand wash so double zipping them (in a pillowcase) or laundry bag and then hand drying them, is highly recommended. I'm trying a new method of lacing in my supports so that I can separate the shaped support from the rest of the leotard for ease of drying but haven't figured a way to do it without making the material bunch up or pucker in weird places so I'm still working on that one.

[@katherenewedic8076]

SO correct!! *apply girth measurement especially if busty, or a bit taller

[@jenniferz.1254]

Agreed that girth is the most important measurement. My measurements often put me in size L for leotards, but my torso is super short, so I’m able to wear anything size M and larger (and maybe even size S but I’ve never tried)

[@helenz4431]

You've taught me soooo much participating in your online beginner course Tiekka. Thanks so much

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! I’m thrilled to know my program has helped you learn and love ballet! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏💕🩰

[@JGreen-le8xx]

Tiekka❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😄

[@everydayballet]

🙏💖🩰

[@itschelseakay]

I was just doing your express workout when this video came out! 😆 I’m practicing to hopefully come in-person for adult lessons one day soon. Would love to hear some of your favorite places to buy leotards!

[@katherenewedic8076]

Capezio. Body wrappers. Discount Dance. Bloch. Critical* follow girth sizing.

[@everydayballet]

Fantastic! I hope I’ll see you at the studio! I get my leotards from all over the world and tend to buy directly from individual brands. I’ll be doing more videos about that but in addition to places like Discount Dance, I like Lulli, WearMoi, Lucky Leotards, & Ballet Maniacs. Hope this helps! 💖🩰🌸

[@monasuliman13]

thank you so much tiekka! i love your channel and you made me feel more confident about doing ballet 🩰❤️

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! It makes me so HAPPY to know I’ve helped you feel more confident with ballet!!! YAY!! 🥰✨🩰

[@elisiataylor]

I really appreciate the info on sizing!

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! Ballet sizing can be soooo mysterious! 🥰🩰🌸

[@JMA864]

Helpful, especially for sizing, but some pictures or drawings as examples of other points would be more helpful.

[@everydayballet]

I can appreciate your perspective. I just don’t have that skill set nor the funds to hire an editor to do it. 😊

[@sarahjosua]

Great tips, thank you!

[@everydayballet]

You’re so welcome! I hope they help! 🙏🌸💕🩰

[@sarahjosua]

@@everydayballet they did! 🤗

[@joyj5447]

This is so helpful!!!

[@everydayballet]

I’m so glad! 👏🏻✨💕🩰

[@blueberryPup-ce1og]

Do you have any recommendations for plus size dancers?

[@everydayballet]

Try sodanca.com/collections/this-is-me 🥰✨🩰

[@xt8851]

hi Tiekka how do people fit bras or sport bras into leotards ? i m relatively a big chested person (was d cup, now b to c cup as i ve lost some weight ) for adult ballet student , i alws wonder what do adult ballet dancers put on under their leotards they dont seem to need bras? and those leotards are also mid back like yours

[@everydayballet]

Great question! A lot of us dancers are smaller chested and do not often wear bras. However, those that do tend to get something supportive that does not have any clasps, etc. (think sports bra). If you can find one with wider set straps, you'll be able to wear most styles with little-to-no bra showing. Look for styles that have a wide strap, short sleeves, cap sleeves, etc. I personally do not wear super low cut leotards anymore, but you'll have to look around for these as there are a lot of low back styles out there. Generally, I find that many basic styles actually have modest cuts in both the front and back. Here are some online retailers that you can try. I'd look at their most basic styles first: Capezio Bloch SoDança Discount Dance (big online retailer has a bit of everything and you can do a filter search as well) Jule Dancewear (has styles made for dancers with a bigger bust, with wonderfully supportive fabrics) Hope this helps! 💖🩰🤗

[@xt8851]

@@everydayballet Tikka thank u so much for yr tips n suggestions , really amazing and helpful , i ll go n start serach 🌻 🤗💌🩰😍

[@Hextic_NFFA]

Chicken Tiekka Masala

[@everydayballet]

😂💗🩰

[@clovermouse78]

I was really wishing you were going to explain what size to get with a girth of 65 which is under XL, a bust listed as XS, a waist listed as M and hips listed as S.......I'm long and thin but every one of the measurements you need to find the fit are in different columns of the fit guide 😂 fml

[@everydayballet]

😂😂 I wish I could answer that one, too! 🙏💕🩰

[@praxisfurnaturheilkunde5394]

Start sewing!

[@ririxixi]

May I know your outfit please? I like your outfit. May I know where to buy it please?

[@everydayballet]

The leotard is a Tiler Peck design from BodyWrappers and the skirt is from Capezio. 😊🩰💕

[@ririxixi]

@@everydayballet I appreciate it very much. That's really nice of you. Thanks.

[@krystalannawilliams2653]

🟥

[@inluminatiomea9889]

No built in bra?

[@everydayballet]

Occasionally there is a shelf-lining. It’s not all that supportive but does provide an extra layer on the bust which can help with coverage, especially when sweating. 😊🩰✨