Thread: Tights?

Do any of you wear skin colored tights when performing? My legs are just not pretty, and because I wear those Hermes sandals tights don't present a slipping hazard. I'm also pondering on getting some glittery ones for a little extra glitz when my legs show through skirt slits. What do you all think?

That might get hot when performing.

What about closing or partially closing the slits on your skirts? If you're not keen on showing your legs you probably don't have fitted skirts with slits anyway but you can close the slits on your circle skirts.

Another vote for closed skirts rather than tights.

If it's just a skintone issue, a little self-tanner or bronzer can smooth out skin tone or even blur spider veins. If more coverage than that is needed, there are makeup products especially for legs.

If it's an issue of size or shape, it seems like shiny tights would only exaggerate the problem.

Or you could go 'old school' and add harem pants under a full skirt.

Originally Posted by Darbla

Do any of you wear skin colored tights when performing? My legs are just not pretty, and because I wear those Hermes sandals tights don't present a slipping hazard. I'm also pondering on getting some glittery ones for a little extra glitz when my legs show through skirt slits. What do you all think?

actualy i wear ice skaters tights with the toes opened at the last ren faire of the season....it is in november ...we are barefoot. they are warmer than ballet tights...i suggest you make sure the weave does not have a "sheen"..you will be fine..that "panty hose sheen " is the give away....and as you all know, i O NOT wear harem pants..lol.

Originally Posted by zamora

actualy i wear ice skaters tights with the toes opened at the last ren faire of the season....it is in november ...we are barefoot. they are warmer than ballet tights...i suggest you make sure the weave does not have a "sheen"..you will be fine..that "panty hose sheen " is the give away....and as you all know, i O NOT wear harem pants..lol.

oops, i must add, at faire skirts have NO slits..but they lift when you spin.

My legs are hard and muscular looking, and self-tanner does not take well to the skin there like it does on upper body skin. I can never get my lower legs' color to look as good as on upper body. I know I'm not going to quit the self-tanner on top so I've got to bring the legs up to speed. Tights will soften the muscularity and help the color. And I'm not trying to hide their size so shininess doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is being unprofessional, and ugly legs when everything else is beautifully done.

I remembered after posting this that there was a video of a pro named Lucy posted here somewhere, and she wears tights. So I guess it is not anathema to the pros. I just need to figure out the best ones to get.

Most classic age belly dancers wore tights. There is even fairly recent footage of Randa wearing tights. Footless with decoration at the ankle. I believe that some of the dancewear companies make tights with a lower waistband.

{{{HUGS}}}

I've worn nude dance tights with a slit skirt already. If you want to dance barefoot, having a covered sole can be problematic, but if you're wearing shoes, the tights aren't an ugly mismatch for your skin color, and there aren't obvious runs or flaws in your stockings, why would this be a problem? Dancers and skaters wear tights all of the time. I suppose some would say that it is a faux pas to wear covered-toe stockings with sandals (when I was younger, it was a faux pas not to wear stockings...), and there may be a logistic problem with a thong going between the toes with a sock on, so in that case, you might want to look at stirrup tights or hosiery-weight leggings instead. Based on the feeding frenzy over the decorated-leg costume that came in recently at the Bellydance Store, I expect costumes with leg coverage to be a hot style item in the near future.

Originally Posted by Darbla

Do any of you wear skin colored tights when performing? My legs are just not pretty, and because I wear those Hermes sandals tights don't present a slipping hazard. I'm also pondering on getting some glittery ones for a little extra glitz when my legs show through skirt slits. What do you all think?

I have worn nylons, textured ones and glittery ones add a lot to a bedlah type costume.

Marya

I have worn glittery fishnet tights under a circle skirt when the weather was cold and it was an outdoor show. I actually liked the look.

edited to add: I found them at Walmart a year or so ago.

I recently discovered Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs after seeing another dancer use it backstage. It made her legs look flawless. I could have sworn she was wearing nude dance or ice-skating tights until she showed me the can. I rushed out and bought some in a shade darker than my leg color since my upper body has more color and I wanted to match. I love it. It is NOT tanner or bronzer. It is like foundation for your body.
I showered, shaved my legs and applied a very lightweight moisturizer. After waiting about 15 minutes, I put my leg up on the tub edge and sprayed my legs. The spray was splotchy but I rubbed it in and blended. I used a little moisturizer at the tops of my feet and the top of my rear to help blend into the non covered areas. I let the product dry and then dressed. I did my legs at home and got into costume about 2hours later--no smudging in my street clothes and the product lasted all night at my show. When I got home I inspected my legs and there was no streaking or running and my costume edges were clean. I had to scrub the stuff off with a soft bath pouf in the shower.
I recommend this stuff now to everyone.

Originally Posted by Darbla

My legs are hard and muscular looking, and self-tanner does not take well to the skin there like it does on upper body skin. I can never get my lower legs' color to look as good as on upper body. I know I'm not going to quit the self-tanner on top so I've got to bring the legs up to speed. Tights will soften the muscularity and help the color. And I'm not trying to hide their size so shininess doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is being unprofessional, and ugly legs when everything else is beautifully done.

I remembered after posting this that there was a video of a pro named Lucy posted here somewhere, and she wears tights. So I guess it is not anathema to the pros. I just need to figure out the best ones to get.

Ah, this makes sense then. Tights with shoes would work, or footless tights if your costume has those matching ankle cuffs that used to be all the rage (or if you wanted to make some)

I can imagine sort of a full-body fishnet body stocking thing in a color to match the costume if that sort of thing would suit your style.

I think it's a great idea-- just wouldn't do the footed tightes w/ sandals though.... If you are going to wear them, you should totally rock out some unique ones to spice it up under that skirt!

BTW-- Anyone know where to get stockings/tights with rhinestones on them?

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I've worn nude dance tights with a slit skirt already. If you want to dance barefoot, having a covered sole can be problematic, but if you're wearing shoes, the tights aren't an ugly mismatch for your skin color, and there aren't obvious runs or flaws in your stockings, why would this be a problem? Dancers and skaters wear tights all of the time. I suppose some would say that it is a faux pas to wear covered-toe stockings with sandals (when I was younger, it was a faux pas not to wear stockings...), and there may be a logistic problem with a thong going between the toes with a sock on, so in that case, you might want to look at stirrup tights or hosiery-weight leggings instead. Based on the feeding frenzy over the decorated-leg costume that came in recently at the Bellydance Store, I expect costumes with leg coverage to be a hot style item in the near future.

omg! who designs this costume? i looooove it

Originally Posted by shaabichic

omg! who designs this costume? i looooove it

That is beautiful. If you are going to wear matching tights ala Lucy that is the way to do it. In general I'm against tights unless they look totally natural or are decorated to match the costume.

I always wore nude or tan pantyhose depending on the season. Sheer to the waist and sheer toe. Everyone thought I was barelegged but I ALWAYS danced with pantyhose on.

What shoes do you use, Norma?

A clip of Lucy with a nude tight.



I can't find any clips on youtube with her elaborate tights but she either kept them nude with an ankle "bracelet" to match the costume, or the entire tight was decorated ot match the costume.

Originally Posted by nayastrance

I recently discovered Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs after seeing another dancer use it backstage. It made her legs look flawless. I could have sworn she was wearing nude dance or ice-skating tights until she showed me the can. I rushed out and bought some in a shade darker than my leg color since my upper body has more color and I wanted to match. I love it. It is NOT tanner or bronzer. It is like foundation for your body.
I showered, shaved my legs and applied a very lightweight moisturizer. After waiting about 15 minutes, I put my leg up on the tub edge and sprayed my legs. The spray was splotchy but I rubbed it in and blended. I used a little moisturizer at the tops of my feet and the top of my rear to help blend into the non covered areas. I let the product dry and then dressed. I did my legs at home and got into costume about 2hours later--no smudging in my street clothes and the product lasted all night at my show. When I got home I inspected my legs and there was no streaking or running and my costume edges were clean. I had to scrub the stuff off with a soft bath pouf in the shower.
I recommend this stuff now to everyone.

I use this stuff all the time for gigs and not just on my legs. I spray it on my hands and apply it to belly, back, arms, legs. It's great for evening out tan lines and addng a touch of color to winter-white skin.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Ah, this makes sense then. Tights with shoes would work, or footless tights if your costume has those matching ankle cuffs that used to be all the rage (or if you wanted to make some)

I can imagine sort of a full-body fishnet body stocking thing in a color to match the costume if that sort of thing would suit your style.

I have some of these, they are great; but also I've been wearing fishnet tights for about 100 years - one simply didn't go on stage in this city with bare legs.

Originally Posted by norma

That is beautiful. If you are going to wear matching tights ala Lucy that is the way to do it. In general I'm against tights unless they look totally natural or are decorated to match the costume.

I always wore nude or tan pantyhose depending on the season. Sheer to the waist and sheer toe. Everyone thought I was barelegged but I ALWAYS danced with pantyhose on.

Norma what did you do about the waistband of the pantyhose? With the fishnets of course they can be cut at the top so they don't do the muffin top but what about the regular pantyhose? Did you just roll them over?

Originally Posted by shaabichic

omg! who designs this costume? i looooove it

I don't know. Samira said she thought it might be Mumtaz in post #34 over here fave new stuff at Bellydancestore..... Belle Orientale is still showing theirs in stock (ACT00326<br>Belly dance costume - Full costumes - Belle Orientale Belly dance costumes), but I think the ones at the Bellydance Store are all sold.

I don't think there's anything wrong with dancing in stockings (or harem pants, for that matter). No faux pas at all.

My troupe wears harem pants anytime we're in circle skirts, but I wear tights or capri length leggings with a straight skirt or mermaid skirt. I think I've got great looking legs, but I can't stand my thighs touching together (I even wear pants to sleep in).

I wear Irish Ghillies (lace up leather dance shoes) so I don't have to worry about anyone seeing the stockings seam on my toes. I get a little muffin top regardless of whether or not I'm wearing stockings because my hips are just squishy like that... so I've never worried too much about that issue. LOL

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

Norma what did you do about the waistband of the pantyhose? With the fishnets of course they can be cut at the top so they don't do the muffin top but what about the regular pantyhose? Did you just roll them over?

A friend of mine used to gather her stockings using those large pins for babies' diapers. She would pull the front down into a V slightly lower than her skirt and pin the gathered front bits together, and then use two pins at the back (one at each center-cheek point, if I remember correctly). It kept the tights up, and in the correct position, but without a muffin top.

Don't know if that would help you.