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DANCEWEAR - Tights <D>

 Following is a listing of the most requested tights styles for dance, drill, theatrical, and personal uses. Unless otherwise specified, the following listings are full-footed, waist length tights. The TIGHTS SIZES table provides general sizing information. The STYLE TABLES provide a brand/price/size cross reference. The COLOR LIST provides each manufacturers colors (not all colors may be available in all styles). Telephone for detailed and additional information regarding the listed or unlisted styles and brands, including exotic hosiery.
Listed brands: Bg, Capezio, Danskin, Eu, Pk, Sq, Sv. Classifications of fabrics will vary by brand depending on fiber(s) manufacturer, diameter, blend, and weave; e.g., SHEER will vary in opacity and SHIMMERY will vary in sheen.

            GTSAID : SIZING TIGHTS

The following sizes are general, patterns vary per manufacturer, and fit varies with style, fabric, and body shape. C styles generally are narrower than similar D styles. Pk styles are dramatic (non-dance) tights with larger waists and square-cut crotch. Bg, Pk, and Sv are heavier leotard- weight tights. Lycra and "leotard-weight" styles generally yield the neatest fit. Unlike streetwear lines, dancewear manufacturers tend to retain consistent patterns. If using a dancewear brand, check the lable: brand, style number, and size; then decide whether the same size or a change is desireable. If selecting the first dancewear tights, the following charts may prove helpful.
NOTE: Most dancewear tights include a shaped heel. To wear: with the heel in back, gather a tights leg to near the toe then draw up the leg under tension; repeat with the other leg; draw the waistband up to the base of the ribcage and allow the tights to "settle" into place. Men should roll down the waistband to the waist so that it is held in place by the pelvis. A dance (not athletic) supporter for teen and adult males will provide much improved appearance and comfort.

TIGHTS SIZES

CHILDRENS: S=4-6, I=6x-7, M=8-10, L=12-14, additional sizes Tots=2-4 or teeN=longer 12-14, where noted "+".
SIZE HEIGHT WEIGHT WAIST INSEAM NOTES
2-4    CHILD 33" - 38" 29 - 37#      
4-6 39" - 45" 38 - 49#      
6x-7 45" - 51" 50 - 60#      
8-10 51" - 55" 61 - 75#      
12-14 56" - 61" 75 - 96#      
teeN 60 - 63" 95 - 105#      
Small    LADIE'S 4'10" - 5'2" 90 - 110#      
Medium / A 5' - 5'4" 105 - 125#      
Large / B 5'2" - 5'7" 120 - 140#      
X-large / C 5'4" - 5'9" 135 - 160#      
XX / D 5'8" - 6' 145 - 170#      
1X    PLUS-SIZE 4'9" - 5'4" 150 - 190#     HIPS: 40"-44"
2X 5'1" - 5'7" 190 - 225#     44" - 48"
3X 5'5" - 5'11" 225 - 270#     48" - 52"
4X 5'1" - 5'7" 250 - 300#     50" - 56"
Small    MEN'S 4'9" - 5'1"   24" - 30" 27" - 29" Pk waists:
Medium 5'2" - 5'5"   24" - 32" 29" - 31" 30" - 38"
Large 5'6" - 5'9"   26" - 34" 31" - 33" 32" - 40"
X-large 5'9" - 6'   28" - 36" 33" - 35" 34" - 42"
Bg: XX     32" - 34" 35" - 36" 34" - 44"
Bg: XXX     34" - 36" 37" - 38" 34" - 46"
Bg: XXXX     36" - 38" 39" - 40" 36" - 50"
Also, other brands, sizes, and custom styles available.

COLOR LIST
Colors with the same name will vary with fabric and brand.
black, white plus:

Lycra and cotton Bg colors (shades vary with fabric) ballet pink, berry, burgundy, canary, chocolate, cream, hunter, navy, purple, red, royal, sky, suntan, turquoise;
plus Lycra only charcoal, cobalt, copper, hot pink, jade, lavender, lime, neon pink, orange, peach, silver;
plus cotton only charcoal heather, fuchsia, gray heather, kelly, lemon, lilac, pumpkin, sapphire, seafoam;
plus black 'vinyl' and liquid black, gold, hot pink, purple, red, royal, silver, teal;
plus velvet ballet pink, black, burgundy, hunter, lavender, navy, red, royal.
Also other Bg fabrics, multi-color, and custom design patterns available.

C tights colors which vary per style: ballet pink, brown, caramel, classic pink, cocoa, European pink, gray, light pink, light suntan, natural, nude, pink, suntan, toffee.

D colors vary with style: ballet pink, classic light toast, classic pink, lavender, light toast, navy, petal pink, point pink, suntan, theatrical pink, toast.

Eu colors black, petal pink, pink, suntan, white vary with style.

Heavier theatrical Pk leotard nylon
(Not as neatly fitted as dancewear. Dancers may wish to order smaller.)
Pk--- brown, charcoal, hemlock, kelly, orange, pink, purple, red, royal, suntan, yellow;
plus left/right tights combinations
black/white, black/red, kelly/red, purple/yellow, purple/royal.

Lycra and cotton Sv colors (shades vary with fabric) burgundy, navy, pink, royal, suntan (nude);
plus Lycra only chocolate, copen, copper, gray, lavender, peach, periwinkle, plum, red, rose, spruce, turquoise;
plus cotton only forest, heather gray, purple, sky.

Also fashion tights: colors, prints, holidays, lace, rhinstones, etc.; other brands, and custom design tights: multicolor, sizes, fabrics, etc.; dying and glazing assistance.


Left to right: D69, D1331, D49, D4334, D104, D203

MESH TIGHTS: Unless noted, styles are seamless, child Small through Large or adult Small thru X-large. (black, tan).
Danskin STYLE Capezio VARIOUS BRANDS
  CHILD NYLON   Sq706c  6.50 (no tan)
D710  10.50 CHILD C3407c  11.50;  one size (+caramel, no tan) Sq705c  11.00; +6x-7
  CHILD SEAMED C3408c  12.50;  one size (+caramel, no tan)   all Sq styles;  no size X
  ADULT NYLON   Sq706a  7.00 (no tan)
D715  12.50 ADULT ECONO C3407a  13.50; S-M,L-X (+caramel, no tan) Sq705a 12.00 (+nude,wht)
D2031 24.75; +size E SEAMLESS C30001  23.00 (+ caramel, toffee, white) 1with padded soles
  SEAMED ECONO C3408a  14.25;  S-M,L-X (+caramel,no tan)  
D104  21.00 SEAMED C3400  23.00 no X (+caramel,toffee; no tan)  
  RHINESTONED C3002  49.50 no X (no tan)  
  CHILD CAPRI C3450c  12.00;  one size (no tan) Eu2 (+lime,magenta,yellow)
D733  13.50 CAPRI length
C3450a  12.00;  S-M, L-X (no tan)
 Eu2  11.50 (no tan)
Bg308F Pk123/2
MEN'S: Made of leotard weight or heavier fabrics (2 to 4 times more opaque than most women's tights) with a back seam. Full-fashioned (F-F) styles are shaped to better contour from thighs, narrower around the knee, expanded for the calves, then tapered to the ankle and foot. Bg styles are tight-leg pants (footless) or with stirrups or feet included. Sv tights are lighter weight, medium sheen Milliskin. Pk styles are tapered tubes with a square crotch, designed for general performance applications and not recommended for dance costuming. Unless noted, all styles are available (black, white) adult Small through X-large. Bg, Pk, and Sv styles are available in many colors and combinations - ask. Several styles are available XX and larger for an additional charge - ask. Request boy's sizes information.
Bg, Pk STYLE Capezio & Eu VARIOUS BRANDS
Pk123 32.00; see 2 below NYLON C11  F-F 23.75;  +XX  
  MICROFIBER Eu34943  19.50  
  MICRO FOOTLESS Eu34944  20.00  
  MICRO CAPRI Eu34945  19.00  
Bg808F  31.00 LYCRA C720  33.25
 Sv1099  33.75,  X 36.75
Bg808S  30.00 LYCRA STIRRUP    
Bg808  26.00 LYCRA FOOTLESS C708 28.50 (+burgundy,maroon,no wht) Sv1098  30.50
Bg308F, Bg308S, Bg308 COTTON STYLES same prices as Lycra Sv3099, Sv3098
2 Pk123  XX  35.00,    XXX  44.00,    XXXX  48.00;    Pk123/2    BI-COLORED NYLON  36.00  no S,    XX  39.00

CHILDREN'S: Unless noted, styles are seamless, waist length, and footed in sizes Small (4-6), Intermediate (6x-7), Medium (8-10), and Large (12-14). Some styles include (+) Tots (1-3 or 2-4) or teeN (longer child large) sizes. Combined sizes follow a semicolon (;). Bg and Sv styles are leotard weight. Full-fashioned (F-F) styles are back-seamed. {More notes at end of table.}
Danskin STYLE Capezio or Bg VARIOUS BRANDS
  SHEER F-F OPEN-SOLE C18c  17.25; one size    
  HEAVIER SHEER F-F OPEN-SOLE C9c  17.25;  one size   
  ECONO NYLON  
D58  7.75  +2-4 NYLON C3c  8.75;  +1-3, 10-12  
D65  17.25 NYLON FULL-FASHIONED    
D249  8.25 NYLON STIRRUP    
  MICROFIBER   Eu215c  10.75  +T, N 
    MICROFIBER OPEN-SOLE C1873c  12.00;  one size Eu210c  11.50  +N
D703  6.25  +2-4 ECONO LYCRA C1825c  8.25;  2-6, 8-12
D331  8.75  +2-4 LYCRA SHIMMERY C1808c  11.50  
D341  9.50 SHIMMERY STIRRUP     
D351  9.25 SHIMMERY FOOTLESS     
D607  8.25  +2-4 MATTE LYCRA C14c  11.50;  +1-3
  MATTE OPEN-SOLE  
    MATTE STIRRUP C145c  12.50    
    MATTE FOOTLESS C140c  11.00    
D387  9.50  +2-4 ULTRASOFT LYCRA C1815c  11.50;  2-6, 8-12 Eu999c  15.00  +N
  RHINESTONED ULTRASOFT C1874c  28.50;  one size  
D708  11.00 ULTRASOFT OPEN-SOLE C1816c  12.00;  2-6, 8-12 Eu99c  17.00  +N
D727  12.50 ULTRASOFT F-F OPEN-SOLE    
  U-SOFT V-WAIST OPEN-SOLE C1872c  12.00;  one size    
  ULTRASOFT STIRRUP C1861c  12.50;  one size    
D712  10.00 ULTRASOFT FOOTLESS C1817c  10.75;  one size    
  ULTRASOFT HIP-HUGGER CAPRI C1870c  10.50;  one size    
    HEAVIER LYCRA : COTTON Bg1808F:1308F  23.50 Sv1097:3097  27.50  +N
    HEAVIER STIRRUP LYC : CTN Bg1808S:1308S  21.50    
    HEAVIER FOOTLESS LYC : CTN Bg1808:1308  20.50    
D389  10.50 SKATE C1814c  15.25  no I  
D709  15.75 "OVER-BOOT" (open-sole) C1812c  16.25  no I  
D706  17.25 CLEAR STRAP "BODY-TIGHT"
 
Skate and "over-boot" tights are heavier weight, intended to better warm and protect ice skaters. "Body-tight" styles are underwear camisole leotites; D706 is open-sole, C1860c is full-footed.

 D69  D49  D711  D702
LADIE'S: Unless noted, styles are seamless, waist length, and footed in adult sizes Small, Medium, Large, eXtra-large. Similar D sizes are A, B, C, D. Some styles include (+) XX (double-X) sizes. PLUS SIZES include 1X, 2X, 3X; and, if noted (+), 4X. Combined sizes follow a semicolon (;). Bg and Sv styles are leotard weight. Full-fashioned (F-F) styles are back-seamed. {More notes at end of table.}
Danskin STYLE Capezio or Bg VARIOUS BRANDS
D32  22.00 SHEER FULL-FASHIONED    
D71  23.00 SHEER F-F OPEN-SOLE C18a  18.25;  S-M,L-X    
  HEAVIER SHEER F-F OPEN-SOLE C9a  18.25;  S-M,L-X   
  ECONO NYLON  
D69  10.00 NYLON C4  10.75  
D85  19.00 NYLON FULL-FASHIONED    
D49  10.50 NYLON STIRRUP    
  MICROFIBER   Eu215a  11.00 
  MICROFIBER OPEN-SOLE C1873a  14.00;S-M L-X Eu210a  11.75
 
 ECONO LYCRA C1825a 10.00; S-M,L-X
D1331  11.50 LYCRA SHIMMERY C1808a  13.50  
D2331  12.00 SHIMMERY STIRRUP       
D3331  13.00;  A-B,C-D SHIMMERY FOOTLESS       
D212  11.00 MATTE LYCRA C14a  13.50;  +XX
  MATTE OPEN-SOLE C15  14.00;  +XX
    MATTE STIRRUP C145a  14.50;  +XX     
    MATTE FOOTLESS C140a  13.00
D72  12.50 ULTRASOFT LYCRA C1815a  13.50;  +XX Eu999a  16.00
  RHINESTONED ULTRASOFT C1874a  30.50;S-M,L-X  
D9755  12.50 ULTRASOFT HIP-HUGGER    
D702  13.00;  A-B,C-D ULTRASOFT OPEN-SOLE C1816a  14.00;  +XX Eu99a  18.00
D725  15.75 ULTRASOFT F-F OPEN-SOLE    
  U-SOFT V-WAIST OPEN-SOLE C1872a  14.00;S-M,L-X  
D714  11.50;  A-B,C-D U-SOFT HIP-HUGGER OPEN-SOLE C1821  13.50;  S-M,L-X    
  ULTRASOFT STIRRUP C1861a  14.25;S-M,L-X    
D711  12.50;  A-B,C-D ULTRASOFT FOOTLESS C1817a  12.50;S-M,L-X    
D9754  11.00;  A-B,C-D ULTRASOFT HIP-HUGGER CAPRI C1870a  11.50;S-M,L-X    
    HEAVIER LYCRA : COTTON Bg808F:308F  31.00 Sv1099 33.75,X36.75
   : Sv3099  32.75
    HEAVIER STIRRUP LYC : CTN Bg808S:308S  29.00    
    HEAVIER FOOTLESS LYC : CTN Bg808:308  26.00 Sv1098:3098  30.50  
D73  14.25 SKATE C1814a  16.25  
D704  17.25;  A-B,C-D "OVER-BOOT" (open-sole) C1812a  17.25  
  FOOTED "BODY-TIGHT"
 
  OPEN-SOLE "BODY-TIGHT" C1818  17.25;  S-M,L-X  
D2241  20.00;  A-B,C-D O-S CLR STRAP "BODY-TIGHT" C1811  19.00  
D4013  14.00  +4X PLUS-SIZE SHIMMERY    
  PLUS-SIZE MATTE C1862  14.75  
  PLUS-SIZE MATTE FOOTLESS C1865  14.50  
D4021  15.25  +4X PLUS-SIZE ULTRASOFT    
Skate and "over-boot" tights are heavier weight, intended to better warm and protect ice skaters. "Body-tight" styles are underwear camisole leotites.

C1812 C1811 C1874

Also additional manufacturers, styles, fabrics, and custom made. Request assistance.

            Why are Tights?

Dance tights are defined by essential characteristics.
        1.    Mobility. Tights should have greater elasticity than the wearer's use requires, permitting complete freedom of movement.
        2.    Smooth finish. Unless a visual effect is required, the appearance of the leg (leg line) should be unbroken be the garment.
        3.    Consistent weave. Unlike socks, multiple weave thicknesses, patterns, and bulky serged seams should not exist. This and foot reshapeability are the primary reasons full-footed tights should be worn during dance shoe fittings.
        4.    Minimal closing seam. The serged seam at the end of the toes should be of small diameter, minimal length, and linear.
        5.    Light weight. Use the least thickness possible for any application. The shape should be that of the leg, no bulk added.

Dance tights should minimally provide four essential functions. Although many dancewear and non-dancewear styles exist, when making a selection the fundamentals should always be considered.
        1.    Provide an accurate silhouette. Primarilly, as with any dance class-wear and most performance-wear, the body outline should be easily observed. Generally, more Lycra/Spandex yields a cleaner fit, eliminating gaps behind the knee and less chance of sag. Tights, lighter colored than leotard, permit student and instructor to more easily note torso/pelvis/thigh allignment. Tights with shaped feet provide continuity into the shoe, and pre-shaped full-fashioned men's styles provide a better silhouette along legs with significantly varying diameters from thigh through knee to calf then ankle/foot.
        2.    Breathable warmth. Significant perspiration should pass through the tights, rather than evaporate directly from the skin surface. Heavier fabric weights better retain body heat and are adviseable for ice skating or cooler outdoor applications.
        3.    Foot reshaping. Dancing feet continuously change shape. Inside tightly fitted dance shoes, full-footed tights move smoothly against the inside of the shoes, facilitating ongoing shoe reshaping with the feet. This will not happen with moist skin.
        4.    Consistent color. Even women's and children's translucent styles provide much improved corps leg color consistency than pantyhose.
        5.    Opacity. This is especially important for men, whose tights are twice to four times heavier than most women's styles. The objective is to eliminate leg hair shadow under thousands of watts of stage lighting.
        6.    Visual effects. Mesh, stockings, rhinestoned, bicolored, fluorescent, "metallic", custom designed - ask.
        7.    Durability. Properly woven dance tights always endure more use (not abuse) than pantyhose. It is common for men's tights to survive years of dancing.

Telephone for further information and assistance.

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This file was partially updated 3/17/10.