Do you find it difficult to find inspiration for your dance costumes? Are you looking for something similar to something you’ve already seen? Or are you trying to create something new from your imagination? Answering these questions can help guide you to designing something you will be really happy with.
Questions to Ask Yourself
First and foremost, I start with the musical piece I’m dancing to. What kind of costume would work with this piece? A formal gown that would be appropriate for a traditional tango may or may not be appropriate for a romantic vals or energetic milonga. Not to say you can’t use a formal gown for those other dances, however, it’s thoughtful to match the tone of the music with the costume. A long gown may not work well with some of the movements or stunts that you want to incorporate, or something short may not showcase long, flowy movements.
Are you trying to tell a story or convey an idea? If you are using a prop like a hat, umbrella, chair, ladder, or bench, it’s helpful to consider how these props can integrate with your costume and the idea you’re trying to convey in a natural way.
Are you designing this costume for an entire team or going by general guidelines recommended by the choreographer or director? If you are designing one costume for a whole team it’s important to keep in mind what designs or styles would look good on everyone, or would make everyone feel good to wear. Many of the team costumes I have also incorporate some individuality (using the same fabrics but different styles, or using the same color or embellishments but different placements), which can help satisfy this. If dancers don’t feel good in wearing something it will come across on stage. You cannot satisfy everyone, but it’s worthwhile to make an attempt!
Finding Design Inspiration From What’s Already Out There
I also find inspiration for dance costumes in current fashion trends. I look at current trends in tango dancewear as well; what are people wearing to socials or festivals? I like to watch recent videos of choreography from tango competitions for ideas on choreography as well as costume design. Usually tango dresses have either a slit on the right side, a slit or godet in the back, or both.
Sometimes you can alter a dress to make it work for a performance. This may involve things like cutting or altering the skirt, or adding things like rhinestones, appliques or other embellishments.
I’m very fond of nature, so I like using floral appliques or fabrics in dancewear I like to make. Sometimes I get inspired when I find a particularly unique fabric I can use. I will talk more about this with individual costumes.
Making a Sketch
I make sketches of designs I like or ideas I’m trying to envision. I use a Fashionary notebook, as well as both graphite and colored pencils in my sketches. You can learn more about using a fashion sketchbook, as well as other sketchbook options, in this Seamwork article.
Each page of the Fashionary has three light figure drawings to draw your own dress and costume designs on top of. I draw a front and back view, and a secondary front view with how wide the skirt would be if it was held away from the body. I may not use every sketch, but don’t throw anything away! Some ideas and sketches may not be used for the original project, but serve as a launching point for a later costume. I also use these sketches to help me determine the different pattern pieces I may need to draft and potential construction order. I think I’ve sketched every costume I’ve made for myself from scratch because of this factors alone!
Next in this series, I’m going to share with you the fabrics I like to use in costumes. I’ll also share where I source the materials and embellishments I use. You’ll always find all these tutorials on the Tutorials Page, and resources I like on the Recommended Resources Page.
Where do you get inspiration for your dance costumes?
- Introduction
- Inspiration
- Fabrics To Use
- Basic Method
- Practice and Test Skirts
- Embellishments and Where to Source Them
- How I Apply Rhinestones
- How I Apply Appliques
- Repurposing Dresses for Costumes
- Transporting and Storing Dance Costumes
