Thread: Wearing tights but no shoes in a very brief performance?

I have been so sick and had so much other stuff going on over the past few weeks that I didn't get my shoes ordered like I meant to, and I have a short 7 minute performance at a hafla next weekend. I'm wearing tights and thought about just going without shoes for the performance, and wearing non-dance sandals the rest of the time. Is that a bad idea? I also thought about taping some duct tape to just the ball of my foot over the tights for some slip-resistant traction.

Sorry for the redneck engineering, but like I said it's a very short, casual, non-paying performance so I was hoping I could rig something to get me thru just that!

Why do you need to wear tights?

If I were you I would not dance with the feet covered, you'll risk a serious slip. You could do the Lucy thing - cut the feet off and just make some little anklets from sequin elastic or similar.

I think cutting the feet is a good idea. I would be worried about slipping in tights. Even with duct tape soles, with my luck, the tights would rotate and the tape would end up on the tops of my feet!

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Why do you need to wear tights?

Because my legs look like crap right now, and the skirt I'm wearing has two slits all the way up.

But I just remembered something: my tights are actually stirrups, so yay! Problem solved. I'll wear sandals all evening and ditch them just for the dancing.

I've actually heard good things about that Airbrush Legs product from Sally Hansen. It's supposed to be good for evening out your skin tone and making your legs look less pasty. Then again, this might not be a slick idea if you're wearing a white costume!

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Why do you need to wear tights?

If I were you I would not dance with the feet covered, you'll risk a serious slip. You could do the Lucy thing - cut the feet off and just make some little anklets from sequin elastic or similar.

Does she (or whoever costumes her) cut them off or does she just buy leggings to start with?

Originally Posted by indigostars

Does she (or whoever costumes her) cut them off or does she just buy leggings to start with?

No idea. But if you look at the Oldersst Costume thread, Kharis has a good example. You can also buy footless tights.

{{{HUGS}}}

They also sell convertible tights that have intentional holes in each sole so you can stick your feet through, roll them up, and convert them to leggings when you don't want to wear them like normal tights.

Rather than cutting off the feet of tights, I would first try just opening the toe seam. Sometimes they creep up the leg too far if you just chop them off. A band of sparkly stretch sequins around the ankle looks good to hide the transition from tights to bare foot.

I paste sparkly bindies on top of my feet sometimes, that might look nice with the stirrup tights.

the fabric store here has those grippy soles for kids' pajamas- some that you sew on, some you can just stick on, and once I saw (& nabbed!) some that came in what looks like a puffy paint tube, so you can put it on in whatever pattern you like. sounds like you've got this one solved for now, tho!

Dancing in footed tights without shoes might be very slippery and I honestly don't think duct tape would help.

Also, depending on the surface, it might damage the tights under the sole of your foot, where the ball and heel touch the ground. Stirrup tights should survive better.

In a pinch, my suggestion would be to call around to local dance shops and try to pick up a pair of inexpensive ballet shoes.

Or invest in those Dance Paw thingies. I saw that Discount Dance Supply has a version with "tattoos" on the front. You could probably custom bling out a pair and rock them with yr footless tights.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

I've actually heard good things about that Airbrush Legs product from Sally Hansen. It's supposed to be good for evening out your skin tone and making your legs look less pasty. Then again, this might not be a slick idea if you're wearing a white costume!

I love Airbrush Legs! Best invention!! Your legs look fantastic
when you use it, I use it for dressing up and going out as well as dancing.

And I wouldn't worry about the white costume if it were me---I have to
either shower right away using a loofah, and I've sat on the edge of the
tub with a washcloth, soap, warm water, and a lot of scrubbing!
It stays on really well, and you have to take it off, it's doesn't just
rinse away..w.:

This may be old fashioned, but would you costume allow for some type of harme pant?
Maybe just for one performance, maybe made out of chiffon?

Please excuse if this is a double post, but here goes again...
This may be old fashioned, but would your costume allow for some type of leggings or perhaps harem pants? Maybe shear chiffon pants for this one performance?

Originally Posted by dunyah

I paste sparkly bindies on top of my feet sometimes, that might look nice with the stirrup tights.

Hmmm, what a cute idea! I love henna, but can't usually get the timing right for performances.

Some vendors have actual foot bindis now.