Head Start on Halloween!

Hi Everyone!

We cannot believe that it is already October! Where did the time go? I think we will be asking that question a lot this season so to try to get a little ahead of the game we have a few Halloween ideas and tips for you.

Let's start with the basics. Sometimes it is super cold Halloween night or that perfect princess costume you found is itchy. No need to worry! A nude unitard or leotard is a great base to any costume.

Check out these amazing costumes for kids we found on 

Pinterest that use a unitard or leotard as the foundation of their costume!

Troll:

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Complete the look:

Ballet Shoes also available in black.

All you'll need next is a little hair spray paint and a little belly button jewel. 

Coppertone Baby:

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How adorable is that! Create this look:

A little magic marker and a stuffed dog and you are good to go!

Lion:

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Complete this look:

Then just run to your nearest fabric store for some fur - you don't even have to sew it on, a little fabric glue will do the trick. Add some face paint and presto, you're done!

We would love to see what you come up with. Submit a picture of your Halloween costume for a chance to win a Dancers Warehouse gift card! Email entries to info@dancerswarehouse.com subject line "Halloween 2014".

Welcome to Pas de Shop!

Hi everyone!

We are Lauren and Liz, the internet sales and customer service department at DancersWarehouse.com. Liz is a ballerina with a local company and Lauren grew up doing competitions and recitals. We are positive we have all the bases covered. We love chocolate covered strawberries, bacon, dance, Pinterest, and drinking way too much coffee.

We hope this blog helps you with all your dance needs. We will be updating frequently with articles, fun facts, tutorials, our favorite products, and so much more!

First we would like to talk tights. Now that we are in the middle of competition season with recitals fast approaching, your tights are definitely getting a lot of wear. To keep them in tip top condition here are some of our recommendations:

1. Hand washing with mild detergent is always best, but let's be honest, not everyone has time for that. If you machine wash on the delicate cycle with cold water and then let your tights hang dry they will still keep their color and elasticity. 
2. Make sure to store your tights in a safe place that will not snag. We suggest using small Ziploc baggies if you are using wooden drawers to prevent splintered wood from running your tights. 
3. Be mindful of the length of your fingernails and toenails. A quick change resulting in a run in your brand new tights is never a good time. Also, keeping your fingernails short not only saves your tights but also keeps you from scratching any of your fellow dancers in a close quarters dance number. We always recommend keeping your toenails short to prevent bruised or broken toenails, especially if you wear pointe shoes.  (We'll talk foot care at a later date.) In addition, short toenails are much less likely to come poking through a pair of tights!
4. If you do have the misfortune of getting a run in your tights you can easily stop it with some clear nail polish or hairspray.  If you are good with a needle and thread, you can sew up the hole and use the tights for class instead of having to throw them away.

As always we suggest keeping an extra pair with you when performing because you never know what can happen backstage.  We are currently loving the redesigned Capezio UltraSoft tights made with an elastic-free, super soft, knit waistband. Muffin tops are history with these tights!