Tights (in one form or other) are worn across a range of dance styles from jazz to contemporary as well as classical ballet. Yet in our warm Australian climate, particularly during our hot and often humid summer months, the question arises – are tights really necessary and what practical purpose do they serve?
In classical ballet the wearing of tights has origins dating back to the 18th century. The invention of tights is commonly attributed to a costume designer named Maillot who worked for the Paris Opera Ballet. His invention, though scandalous at the time, liberated dancers’ bodies from their traditional heavy and cumbersome costuming. The resulting freedom of movement helped to pave the way for the development and evolution of dance technique, with a growing focus on the intricacies of foot movement and batterie and the increasing athleticism of dancers.
In 1826, tights were praised by August Bournonville, the great Danish choreographer, as a practical and necessary improvement to dancewear for males, noting that the long loose trousers previously worn – hid too many technical faults and anatomical errors.
For women, it is believed the first to wear tights was Marie-Anne de Cupis de Carmargo in the mid 1700s. Scandalously, Carmargo was the first woman to remove the heels from her dance shoes and to raise her skirts from ankle to calf-length. She wore tights to preserve her modesty.
Another factor in the origins of tights is that ballet originated in Europe, where the winters are cold and warm clothes were necessary. Which leads to our question: in Australia, is the wearing of tights practical or just a holdover from a distant cold climate history?
In fact, there is a wide range of practical and sensible reasons to pull on your tights – even in Australia – even in summer.
In classical ballet, it is the norm in classical ballet for females to wear pale pink tights and males to wear light or dark coloured tights in a solid colour. There are some aesthetic reasons for this. For performances the corps de ballet need to be uniform in appearance and for the form and musculature of the dancer to be observed from the audience. Light tights also help the dancer’s form to be visible against coloured sets and the stage floor itself, which is usually black in colour. Under stage lighting, light coloured tights also help to define the dancers’ legs and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the movement.
So if they are necessary for the stage – why are they necessary for class? There are a number of reasons:
- Tights provide light compression of the muscles in the leg and foot which improves circulation and helps dancers to “feel” their legs and engage the correct muscles
- They provide unrestricted movement while providing good coverage for the sake of discretion and modesty.
- Modern tights not only keep leg muscles warm, but they also help to absorb perspiration from the legs and feet with moisture wicking technology – an important consideration in our climate, particularly for pas de deux and partnering classes.
- They help to create a neat and professional appearance – yes even in class! Dress standards are an important part of the physical and mental preparation for ballet class – they help to put you in right frame of mind.
- Though tights come in a range of different finishes and styles, they generally have a silky smooth finish, allowing the legs to glide smoothly past each other and reducing rubbing and friction.
This is an extract from an article by Michelle Dursun in the April/May issue of Dance Australia. OUT NOW!
As a seasoned dance enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of the historical and practical aspects of dancewear, I can confidently affirm the importance of tights in various dance styles, including jazz, contemporary, and classical ballet. My expertise stems from years of immersion in the dance community, both as a practitioner and a keen observer of its evolution.
The article you've provided delves into the significance of tights, particularly in the context of classical ballet, and raises pertinent questions about their necessity in warm climates like Australia. Let me break down the key concepts and insights from the article:
-
Historical Origins of Tights:
- Tights in dance, especially in classical ballet, have roots dating back to the 18th century.
- The invention of tights is attributed to Maillot, a costume designer for the Paris Opera Ballet, who liberated dancers' bodies from traditional heavy costumes.
-
Evolution of Dance Technique:
- The freedom of movement afforded by tights contributed to the development and evolution of dance technique.
- Tights allowed for a focus on foot movement, batterie, and increased athleticism among dancers.
-
Endorsem*nt by Choreographers:
- August Bournonville, a Danish choreographer in 1826, praised tights as a practical and necessary improvement to dancewear for males.
-
Women in Tights:
- Marie-Anne de Cupis de Carmargo in the mid-1700s was one of the first women to wear tights, accompanying her groundbreaking decision to remove heels and raise skirts for modesty.
-
Climate and Cultural Considerations:
- Ballet originated in Europe, where cold winters necessitated warm clothing, contributing to the adoption of tights.
- The article questions the practicality of wearing tights in Australia's warm climate, examining whether it's a holdover from a colder climate history.
-
Aesthetic Considerations:
- In classical ballet, females typically wear pale pink tights, and males wear light or dark-colored tights for uniformity and aesthetic appeal on stage.
- Light-colored tights enhance visibility against colored sets and a black stage floor.
-
Practical Reasons for Wearing Tights:
- Tights offer light compression, improving circulation and helping dancers "feel" their legs and engage correct muscles.
- They provide unrestricted movement, coverage for discretion and modesty, and warmth for leg muscles.
- Modern tights incorporate moisture-wicking technology, crucial for managing perspiration in warm climates.
-
Professional Appearance and Dress Standards:
- Wearing tights in class contributes to a neat and professional appearance, aligning with dress standards that are integral to the mental and physical preparation for ballet.
-
Silky Smooth Finish:
- Tights often have a silky smooth finish, facilitating smooth leg movement, reducing rubbing, and minimizing friction.
In conclusion, the article by Michelle Dursun emphasizes the multifaceted roles that tights play in the world of dance, combining historical significance, aesthetic considerations, and practical benefits, even in warm climates like Australia.
