Dancer's Everyday Bag

[Twilight_Elena]

We already have a ballroom competition kit thread and a salsa congress bag thread:
http://www.dance-forums.com//showthread.php?t=11183
http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=2936
But we don't have a thread about what to take with us at practice and lessons. Unlike comps and congresses, time and space is much more limited. We usually grab our bags and dash to practice/lessons right after work/school/uni, so it's got to be light but efficient. For example, it's highly uncommon that I will need to have eyelash glue, 3 pairs of socks and roll on glitter in my dance bag for practice, but it's important that I don't forget my bobby pins and ordinary, everyday hair gel. Of course, the question that arises is what is really needed in your everyday dance bag and what is overdoing it? Are mints enough or should we be packing a toothbrush/paste with us? Where does one draw the line?
The reason why I am revisiting this subject all over again is that I just bought myself a lovely pink/gray duffel bag that's PERFECT for practices, lessons and teaching. I'll be doing a lot of travelling around in town this year (from teaching to practice to lessons to OTHER lessons and backwards) so I want to make sure I have certain things stored in at all times. So far I've thought of:
-My 3" heels.
-Shoe brush.
-My dance sneakers (unless I am already wearing them).
-Deodorant.
-Gum/mints.
-Lots of hair bands.
-Bobby pins.
-Practice skirt.
-Practice tights.
-Legwarmers (winter approaches!).
-My dance notebook (just in case I need to scribble down choreography).
-My agenda (goldfish memory).
-My CDs (I teach).
-Regular painkillers.
-Sanitary napkins (for girlies ;))
-Wallet, ID papers, cellphone and keys. (I'm silly enough to take everything but those)

And the list is not complete. What would you put in? What do you carry in your bag? What do you think you should change?

T_E

[fascination]

in my practice bag: slimfast bars...change, hairbands, water bottle, perfume deodorant, mouthwash, nylon footies, latins and court shoes, CDs, appointment book/journal,...that's it

[fascination]

and yes, the comp bag is a WHOOOOOOLE 'nother story

[wooh]

Don't forget bandaids and blister bandaids!!

[SPratt74]

Oh you have no idea how helpful this thread is! I can't wait to hear more answers! Now my question is how big of a bag do we get lol?

[Twilight_Elena]

in my practice bag: slimfast bars...change, hairbands, water bottle, perfume deodorant, mouthwash, nylon footies, latins and court shoes, CDs, appointment book/journal,...that's it

Mouthwash??

T_e

[fascination]

look man, I dance standard...that is CLOSE

[Twilight_Elena]

Oh you have no idea how helpful this thread is! I can't wait to hear more answers! Now my question is how big of a bag do we get lol?

My duffel is 24-23-44cm. Just measured it. :D

T_E

[Twilight_Elena]

look man, I dance standard...that is CLOSE

I thought mints/gum would suffice.

T_E

[Twilight_Elena]

Don't forget bandaids and blister bandaids!!

Noted! Do you think I should include a couple of rolls of bandage, just in case?

T_E

[fascination]

only lasts so long...I don't care for gum while I dance...and mints, well, babe, at my age those are just empty calories

[tanya_the_dancer]

in my practice bag: slimfast bars...change, hairbands, water bottle, perfume deodorant, mouthwash, nylon footies, latins and court shoes, CDs, appointment book/journal,...that's it

The contents of my bag: court shoes (2 pairs), ballet slippers, a pair of tights, little tubes of super glue, rubber gloves to use super glue (do not want it sticking to my hands), shoe brush, clear straps for holding shoes in place, energy bars, a long-sleeved jacket, loose pieces of paper with different notes, leftover shower caps (I need them for spray tanning), some gizmo which claimed to absorb smell (does not work as promised), standard technique book, business cards for local USA Dance chapter (to hand out to unsuspecting victims ;) ). Sometimes also practice skirt, or wallet, car keys and cell phone (if I was lazy and put on practice skirt at home). My wrist watch is floating in it somewhere.

It is obvious that I don't need to carry it further than from parking lot to the door ;)

I think I should add that when I go to the competition, I take this bag and I just add a second bag with my dresses, make up, jewelry, and everything else I need to be away from my home for a couple of days.

[SPratt74]

My duffel is 24-23-44cm. Just measured it. :D

T_E

Well, just the word "duffel" says a lot lol. Here I was looking at small dance bags. They were really cute though lol! What was I thinking lol? :p

[Twilight_Elena]

Nooo, it's really a miniature duffel! Not that big! Very cute. I got it from a local (posh) gym.
T_E

[Twilight_Elena]

Afterthought: Basic makeup kit? Sometimes I look like hell and need soem artificial help to get me presentable.

T_E

[SPratt74]

Nooo, it's really a miniature duffel! Not that big! Very cute. I got it from a local (posh) gym.
T_E

Haha! Then I might be ok with the bags that I were looking at. They said the word dance on them and they were in the mall. Very fun bags to have, but I wasn't sure if they'd be big enough. This list gives me an idea as to how big of a bag I might need. ;)

[Twilight_Elena]

Haha! Then I might be ok with the bags that I were looking at. They said the word dance on them and they were in the mall. Very fun bags to have, but I wasn't sure if they'd be big enough. This list gives me an idea as to how big of a bag I might need. ;)

I think it need to be big enough for roughly two pairs of heels and/or sneakers plus essential dancewear (extra tops, skirts, tights, etc.).
And I was thinking of sewing "Dance!" on the bag, but I'm afraid I'll screw it up.
Does anyone have any stones left hanging around? Maybe I'll stone "Dance" on it...
T_E

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I always pack a small towel. Maybe it's a guy thing. Someone once told me that ladies never perspire - they only glisten.

[fascination]

meh, I sweat like a beast...but there is really no point to wiping it off...it'll be right back....goes like this...if pro is wearing long sleeve shirt I will wear a short sleev...if he is in short sleeves, I will put an extra layer on...whichever way is neccessary to spare him my sweat on his arm...the rest...it's just gonna be there

[SPratt74]

I think it need to be big enough for roughly two pairs of heels and/or sneakers plus essential dancewear (extra tops, skirts, tights, etc.).
And I was thinking of sewing "Dance!" on the bag, but I'm afraid I'll screw it up.
Does anyone have any stones left hanging around? Maybe I'll stone "Dance" on it...
T_E

Oh what about those iron on things? I bought one just to practice with, but I haven't done it yet. But I bet that would be easier than stoning the bag. But you are right. I have a small tote bag that I carry with me to class, and it's to small. I need to figure out something to carry my stuff in. Because I always take my notes and music and stuff with me like that too.

[waltzgirl]

I use a cloth shoe bag for each pair of black shoes, and a bag per shoe for tan satin ones, within my bigger dance bag.

Since I'm a lady and only glisten (ha!), I pack a washcloth instead of a towel.

[Twilight_Elena]

Oh what about those iron on things? I bought one just to practice with, but I haven't done it yet. But I bet that would be easier than stoning the bag. But you are right. I have a small tote bag that I carry with me to class, and it's to small. I need to figure out something to carry my stuff in. Because I always take my notes and music and stuff with me like that too.

Iron ons might fade away. I am sceptical. Whereas E-6000 glued-on stones will only be detached in case of a nuclear chain reaction.

T_E

[SPratt74]

Iron ons might fade away. I am sceptical. Whereas E-6000 glued-on stones will only be detached in case of a nuclear chain reaction.

T_E

Haha! Well, I'll try mine first and let you know how it goes. I have a sweatshirt I'm going to try first. It's old and I kind of want to jazz it up for dance!!! ;)

[Twilight_Elena]

Speaking of stones and iron-ons and stuff. I wanted to find a cool looking black top, short, tight and preferrably off-shoulder or something, and get a writing on the front with a catchy dance phrase. I've found said catchy phrase, but I don't know where I could get it done. Can you have the t-shirt shop guys press-write something on a t-shirt of your own?
Or maybe I should stone it with really small stones. Pinkish. Would go great with black. *drools*

T_E

[SPratt74]

Speaking of stones and iron-ons and stuff. I wanted to find a cool looking black top, short, tight and preferrably off-shoulder or something, and get a writing on the front with a catchy dance phrase. I've found said catchy phrase, but I don't know where I could get it done. Can you have the t-shirt shop guys press-write something on a t-shirt of your own?
Or maybe I should stone it with really small stones. Pinkish. Would go great with black. *drools*

T_E

Well, I worked with a guy that does the t-shirts and things for schools in our city, and they can do a lot more than what you think. But it depends on their equipment and if they have the latest up to date stuff and what all they do. So, it might be worth a shot for you to call around and ask. Stoning letters is tough. I've tried to think of ways to stone letters on clothes myself. If anyone knows, will you please fill us in with your secrets lol?

Oh and I have noticed that there are some dry cleaning shops that I have gone to that are now starting to do alterations etc. So, that might be the wave of the future if it isn't already in the bigger cities. Might as well since they already know about fabric, and it's a great way to add on to your business!

[Twilight_Elena]

Back on the subject... hairbrush! How did I forget to add THAT? *slaps forehead*

T_E

[waltzgirl]

mp3 player with practice music on it