Choosing an Aerial Performance Costume

This blog is about how to figure out the aerial performance costume most suitable for you! If that sounds helpful, read on. We’ll be covering:

Why you need a costume

What makes a good costume

Practical considerations

Where to find a costume

Why do you need a costume?

You have a performance coming up; you’ve been working carefully on your choreography, and you need something to wear on the silks / lyra / trap / straps / hammock or other imaginative custom apparatus when you perform.

Doing a performance is special and the occasion asks for something special to be worn. A costume doesn't need to be extravagant or expensive (but it can be). Any which way a costume is acquired, it’s right to wear something special when you perform; a garment intentionally different from what you usually wear to practice aerial arts (unless you live your life in stage worthy attire - in which case, we applaud you).

What makes a good costume?

Something to wear which makes you feel inspired & confident to perform is what we’re looking for. Usually a costume will suit the mood, feel, music & choreography of a performance. Consider: what are the standout features of your performance; should your costume be very attention grabbing, or simple? There’s no right or wrong answer; it’s up to you.

You can look at what your peers are wearing for costumes, and look on social media for inspiration to help find a general sense of what you like the look of. But remember, costuming is artistic & subjective, so don’t be afraid to be different.

For context: traditional circus costuming is more likely to have sparkles, stripes and eye catching embellishment. Recent decades have seen many abstract costume designs transforming the appearance of the human body with strange colours, textures & shapes. Contemporary circus can be seen celebrating a stronger focus on the performer with subtle costuming; for example neutral tone leotards, or even street wear (or for high end productions these are most likely exquisitely tailored lycra fashioned to look like “normal clothes”).

Practical considerations:
Think about protecting your skin - if your costume has bare legs then flesh coloured (or other) footless or stirrup dance tights are recommend - even 70 denier dance tights can be thin on silks and some people wear two pairs to protect against abrasion. Also two pairs give a little compression which can be nice; especially for tight thigh wraps. Consider how much other skin you are showing as to how important the colour matching will be if you opt for flesh coloured tights, if this is important to you. If choosing a costume baring the midriff, back or shoulders then choreography may need to be modified to suit to avoid skin abrasion. Some artists choose a glorious costume and decide not to mind a few scrapes, in which case keep those scrape producing moves to a minimum of repetitions in your dress rehearsal(s) if safe to do so.

Think about movement - usually costumes are stretchy to make sure you have access to your full range of movement. How will the costume move in the air? If some parts are loose is this complimentary to your aesthetic? How will the costume move on your body, are any alterations required?

Think about texture - make sure that you make time to run through your routine a few times to identify any potential safety hazards. Some fabric is slippery and this could be dangerous.

Where to find costumes

Dance shops most often stock adult size leotards, for wildly varying prices. Expect to anywhere from $30 - $50 for plain and on sale, to $150+ for more detailed pieces.

Custom sewn leotards or unitards can be wonderful circus costumes. Usually sewn from high quality lycra to stretch, and designed well for practicality and appearance. Costume commission pricing will vary depending upon how much fabric is required, and the complexity of the design (ie hours spend designing, sewing & fitting). This will likely start from $100 for the most simple designs.

Op shopping: Swimming togs from an op shop with DIY rhinestones is a cheaper way to have a “leotard” embellished without the sewing. Or cheap dresses cut in interesting ways (perhaps with plain leotard under for required coverage).

Ask around: you never know whose sisters’ friend might have a suitcase full of acro leotards you could have / borrow / buy / alter, even ask your circus teachers; they most likely have a few things up their sleeve for loan or sale.

Online shopping: buying online, often from overseas, can get you something good for wildly varying prices. You’ll have to be organised and buy well in advanced because we all know how long it takes for items to arrive in NZ. You usually get what you pay for…

Fashion shops: The usual fashion shops sometimes have interesting stretchy fabric leotards, tops, leggings etc, depending on how much time you’re willing to invest browsing online or in store. Can be a cheap way to grab something weird and wonderful for a bargain. It’s usually a bit of a lottery though with what you may find.

Yoga & activewear brands: Some active wear looks more plain or “dance-ish” which can be suitable, and simple active wear with minimal or preferably no visible branding can offer a clean aesthetic without detracting attention away from the performer. Perhaps avoid the “active wear/ exercise” look unless it’s intentionally part of your overall character and/or aesthetic.