Taking Care of Costumes – Dos and Don’ts

There’s nothing else quite like a brand new dance costume. For many dancers, wearing a costume brings out the confidence and poise they’ve been working on in class. Because dance costumes are made from specialty fabrics, they can’t be treated like regular clothes. Taking care of costumes is simple if you keep these Dos and Don’ts in mind:

Do find a safe place at home to keep the costume.
Don’t allow playtime in the costume. If something spills on it or it rips, it is too late to purchase a new one.
Don’t allow your child to eat messy foods or drink anything but water when wearing the costume for photos or the performance.
Do keep tutus upside down on the hanger, unless otherwise specified by your child’s teacher. This helps keep the tutu in the correct shape.
Don’t forget that costumes are made-to-order but not custom-made, so small alterations (such as tacking straps) may be needed to ensure the fit is just right. This is very easy to do and your dancers’ teacher can give you some pointers.
Do make sure the costume is ready to go when needed! Make sure it is not crumpled, missing anything, and ready bring/wear to picture day and the performance.