The Dancer's Second Skin
A Guide to Choosing Contemporary Attire
In contemporary dance, clothing is never just fabric. It is an extension of the body, a collaborator in the movement, and a silent narrator of the story being told. Choosing what to wear is a choreographic decision in itself.
Forget the rigid uniformity of ballet or the flashy sequins of stage jazz. Contemporary dance attire lives in a fluid space between fashion, function, and art. It can amplify a tremor, capture the momentum of a fall, or hide and reveal the body in unexpected ways. This guide is your map to navigating that creative and practical landscape.
The Core Principles: Beyond Aesthetics
Before browsing a single online store, ground yourself in these principles. Your attire should serve the dance, not the other way around.
Freedom & Range
The primary rule: it must allow for full, uninhibited movement. Can you spiral to the floor, reach your limbs to their extremes, and contract deeply without a seam pulling or a waistband digging? The fit should be generous where you need space, but not so baggy it gets caught underfoot.
Texture & Weight
Fabric tells a story. Heavy jersey drapes and swings, creating lingering lines. Lightweight cotton or linen breathes and floats. Stretchy technical fabrics move with a slick, second-skin precision. Consider how the fabric's behavior interacts with your movement quality.
Line & Silhouette
What lines does the clothing create on your body? High-waisted pants elongate the legs. A cropped top defines the torso. Asymmetrical hems create dynamic, off-balance visual lines that complement contemporary's aesthetic. Your silhouette becomes part of the spatial design.
Building Your Contemporary Wardrobe
Think in layers and staples. A versatile kit allows for endless combinations.
The Foundation Layer
- Leggings & Tights: High-quality, opaque leggings in black, grey, or earthy tones are non-negotiable. Look for a high cotton-lycra or nylon-spandex blend for durability and stretch. Consider footed, stirrup, or convertible styles for different looks.
- Unitards & Leotards: The ultimate second skin. A simple black unitard is a blank canvas. Try different cuts—scoop neck, tank, long-sleeve—to see what flatters your form and feels best.
The Expressive Layer
- Wide-Leg Pants & Palazzos: The hallmark of contemporary flow. They create beautiful, sweeping lines when you turn and fall, emphasizing lower-body movement. In a heavier fabric, they add weight and drama; in a light fabric, they become ethereal.
- Wrap Skirts & Draped Shorts: Perfect for adding a touch of femininity or mystery. They can swirl with turns and reveal the legs in flashes of movement.
- Asymmetrical Tops & Layered Tanks: Break away from symmetry. Tops with one sleeve, uneven hems, or open backs add architectural interest and highlight specific parts of the body during movement.
Color & Psychology
While black is the classic studio staple for its slimming and line-defining properties, don't fear color.
- Neutrals: Charcoal, slate, oatmeal, and clay tones feel organic and grounded, perfect for pieces exploring earth-bound, human themes.
- Jewel Tones & Deep Hues: Burgundy, forest green, or navy can convey depth, emotion, and richness without being distracting.
- Whites & Sheers: Suggest fragility, transparency, ghosts, or purity. A sheer layer over a solid base can create mesmerizing depth.
Let the emotional core of your piece guide your palette. A duet about conflict might use stark black and white. A solo about growth might move from muted browns to vibrant ochre.
Footwear: Barefoot, Socks, or Something Else?
The choice here is profoundly connected to texture and sound.
- Barefoot: The most connected option. Provides maximum grip on most floors and allows for articulate footwork. It’s vulnerable and direct.
- Dance Paws / Foot Undies: Offer a layer of protection for slides and turns while maintaining the look and most of the feel of bare feet.
- Socks: Create slip for controlled slides and pivots. They can also unify the line of the leg. Textured socks (like yoga socks) can provide grip if needed.
- Soft Ballet Shoes (Contemporary Slippers): For a quieter, more streamlined foot than bare feet, often used when the focus is not on the soles.
Your contemporary attire is your partner. It should whisper, not shout. It should hold you, not restrict you. It should feel so intrinsically a part of your moving body that you forget it's there, allowing the audience to forget it, too, and see only the dance. Start with the principles, experiment fearlessly, and let your movement find its perfect second skin.
