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Can I wear skin tone dancewear? This is the question that we hear dancers asking consistently, and Shades Dancewear are here to answer and advocate for you. We believe in embracing diversity, and the importance of skin tone dancewear.
Amidst the beautiful art form of dance and movement, there lies an issue that too often goes unnoticed: the lack of inclusivity and diversity in dancewear. That’s where Shades Dancewear comes in.
One of the most significant debates in recent times revolves around the question: Can I wear skin tone dancewear? The answer to this question should unequivocally be yes. Skin tone dancewear is not just a matter of preference; it’s a necessity for fostering and advocating for diversity and inclusivity within the dance community and industry.
Whether you’re in a class or on stage, performing with any dance school, college, university, or professional company, skin tone dancewear should be endorsed and embraced by all. It’s not merely about conforming to a standard; it’s about embracing, celebrating and honouring the diverse tapestry of humanity, dance and movement.
For a long time, the dance world has been dominated by a traditional and narrow definition of beauty and uniformity, often represented by the traditional ‘Ballet pink’ attire – pink Ballet socks, tights, Ballet shoes and pointe shoes. While the colour pink is widely associated with Ballet and readily available to all dancers as a colour of choice, pink does not accommodate the myriad of skin tones that exist across the globe. Pink was historically chosen and normalised to match the skin tone of White Caucasian dancers at the forefront of many major Ballet companies before Global Majority performers were ‘allowed’ to enter, be seen and perform in that space. But, pink isn’t a skin tone.
By limiting all dancers to only wearing the colour pink in Ballet classes, exams and performances, we inadvertently perpetuate a culture of exclusion and marginalization, particularly for people of colour. It sends a message that certain skin tones are the norm, while others are seen as deviations from this standard. Shades Dancewear is here to raise awareness and change this traditional thinking and encourage all dancers, especially of the Global Majority, to embrace their ethnicity and retain their identity through their choice of dancewear. Whether this is Ballet Socks, Convertible Tights, Ballet Shoes, Jazz Shoes or Dance Support Belts, we want all dancers to feel seen, heard and valued. Shades Dancewear provides dance essentials across our entire skin tone dancewear collection to tackle and overcome all of the above barriers.
Our four shades – Bojangles, Raven, Ailey and Pearl – pay respect to four influential, iconic Global Majority pioneers of dance. Shades Dancewear are striving for our diverse skin tone dancewear shades to be accessible and available to dancers everywhere. Shades Dancewear needs to be listed on all uniform lists and dancewear guidelines as possible, to ensure that all dancers are aware of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in dancewear. We truly believe that in order for the dance community to continue to evolve, we must foster a culture of growth, diversity and inclusivity.
Dance is a form of self-expression, and every dancer deserves the opportunity to express themselves authentically, without fear of judgment or discrimination. Skin tone dancewear plays a crucial role in this journey, allowing dancers to embrace their ethnicity and retain their identity with pride.
Imagine a dance class where every dancer feels seen and valued, where the colour of their attire reflects the beauty of their individuality. This is the vision we should strive for—a dance community that celebrates diversity in all its forms.
Moreover, skin tone dancewear is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about functionality. Dancers rely on attire that seamlessly blends with their skin tone to create the illusion of continuity, especially in performances where costumes play a pivotal role in storytelling.
As educators, choreographers, and industry leaders, it’s our responsibility to champion inclusivity and diversity within our respective spheres. This means providing access to a range of dancewear options that cater to dancers of all backgrounds and skin tones.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and advocacy for more inclusive dance practices, including the promotion of skin-toned dancewear. However, there is still much work to be done to break down the barriers that prevent dancers from fully expressing themselves.
So, the next time you step into a dance studio or onto a stage, remember this: your skin tone is beautiful, and your identity matters. Wear skin tone dancewear proudly, not just for yourself, but for every dancer who deserves to be seen and celebrated for who they are.
Currently, Shades Dancewear is approved, endorsed and promoted by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), British Ballet Organization (BBO), and British Theatre Dance Association (BTDA), and stocked by Dance Direct, International Dance Supplies (IDS), Baby Ballet, Starlite Direct, Dancewear Central, Diverse Performing Arts, The Dancer’s Room, Pixie Dust Dancewear, Danceland at Dalby’s, Stage Door Sidcup, Dance Street, Nina Monteiro Ballet School and many more to be announced. We truly appreciate and value all of the support that Shades Dancewear has received, and the action that is being taken to improve diversity and inclusivity in dancewear.
Shades Dancewear is available online and for wholesale agreements – just get in touch with sales@shades-dancewear.com to find out more!
Embrace your ethnicity and retain your identity when you shop with Shades Dancewear. #IGOTMYSHADE
