As a short breather to the Duncan Cooper series (and since I don’t have time right now to post another piece to that interview), I’d like to share that Julian has finally found some ballet tights that fit and that he loves. He says he can’t even tell he’s wearing them! So, I want to share the brand: MStevens Inc. of Los Angeles, CA, in case any other boys his age – 14 – have had trouble finding tights that fit. (He happens to have purchased the footed tights, Style 1099.)
This comes after a very long search for tights. In fact, he’s been wearing the same pair day in and day out. He has a second pair, but he doesn’t like them and won’t wear them. (One more purchase that was a waste of money.) We have found that Discount Dance Supply carries MStevens on line, and we are going to order two more pair. (This week they have some special shipping discounts.) Then he’ll be outfitted with ballet tights and dance shoes for ABT this summer. We still need to buy jazz pants, which he hates, some footless tights for hip hop (no sweats or shorts allowed at ABT), and a Pilates or yoga mat. Then he is set to go.
Today he had his year-end evaluation at dance; it wasn’t as intimidating as it was last time, and his Dad and I didn’t have any “stuff” up around the studio/company or anything like that. (We now are very happy with our/his studio choice.) So, it was pretty smooth sailing. They seem happy to have Julian, and he’s happy to be there. After a bit of a plateau in his dancing, he seems to be improving – or so they say. They also feel sure that going to NYC and dancing with a bunch of boys and under the tutelage of new and excellent teachers will be a superb experience for him. That made us all feel good about the decision, which is a bit of a hardship on our family, to say the least. He does need to work on a few things to avoid shin splints while at the intensive, such as landing and rolling through his whole foot and using his full plie on his jumps. And there was something or other about his hips or pelvis that related to his core. I know from writing about foot health twice now that that affects everything, the legs and feet in particular.
Speaking of feet, my story on how to keep a tap dancer’s feet healthy is now out in Dance Teachermagazine, for those of you who subscribe or want to purchase it. I guess the one about how to attract boys to a studio must have been in the April issue. They failed to send me that one, so I didn’t see it. Look for an article on three teen dance companies, including Julian’s company, Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area, in the July-August issue of Dance Spirit magazine.
M.Stevens brand are really the best! We’ve found some issues with seams coming undone in the crotch area relatively soon, but that isn’t anything a boy or his mother can’t quickly sew up and be done with.
I just wanted to add that M.Stevens tights are also made in children’s sizes for young boys, and can be difficult to find at times. Before my son was tall enough for the adult sizes, we purchased the boy sized M.Stevens tights through the tutu.com website. Great customer service and speedy shipping.
http://www.tutu.com/dancewear.html
Tutu.com also carries the M.Stevens t-shirts, also made of miliskin, as well as the leotards. The t-shirts are especially nice, as they’re made from miliskin as well, so are thin, and stay tucked in throughout class. These are also available in children’s sizing as well as adult.
Also, best wishes to Julian at ABT NYC this summer! I’m sure he’ll learn lots and have a great time at the program and in the city.
I’m wondering if you or black tights could answer a question for me. My 5 year old has his recital coming up and he will be wearing white tights that his dance teacher is ordering but she was concerned that the wouldn’t be opaque. She thought his top might cover his groin area but I have my doubts. Is a dance belt the way to go, from what I’ve read he might be a little young to need it for support. But I don’t want his stuff to be showin through on stage as he will be front and centre. I dont think he would have a problem wearing a dance belt of I bought one. I was going to get the small mstevens as his waist is 22″. Any suggestions?
I would suggest a dance brief. And you can also put a second pair of tights on. That’s what Julian did for many years when he was young and self-conscious. I’d do both…