Competition dress choice; heel height; re-wearing dresses; & salsa/mambo question

[Well Rounded]

I still tan a little, otherwise there is too much difference between the color of the fishnets and my shiny white skin showing through. But, my tan doesn't have to be perfect, so I can get away with do-it-myself tanner.
As for support provided by the pro fishnets, everything they cover is held in place. Nothing jiggles.
My legs don't need much in the way of support. I would have to wear body fishnets to keep everything else from jiggling.

 

[fascination]

I don't think I need support. What are they supposed to support? I'm wearing them so I don't have to tan my legs

I actually find that they keep my legs from hurting as much when I have done a good deal of dancing...and that was true even when I was younger...though I wore them less often then because my pro wasn't concerned about it

 

[scullystwin42]

I’m a fan of the cheap zym fishnets. Soft like the Joanna ones but much cheaper. I buy a bunch and then I don’t mind if they get ripped.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I used to wear the professional dance fishnets. They last forever! They make your legs look great! Then I discovered the basic dance fishnets. They are much softer and much easier on the waistline (no muffin top). They still get the job done. I'll never go back to the professional grade fishnets unless there is a really good reason. <Snip> One brand is Capezio Studio Basics Fishnet. Keep in mind they do not have the smooth sole (which I don't like anyway).

I ordered a pair of these to see if they’ll work better for me than the professional weight version does (I seriously hate the waistband, even after snipping it). But I do very much like the solid/non-slip/footed sole of the pro-weight style, to hold my feet securely inside my sandals, so I’m uneasy about losing that feature. Does anyone ever have trouble with their feet sliding inside their shoes? I know the shoes are supposedly tight-fitting enough that this shouldn’t happen, but....

Also, as a short-term solution to the waistband problem, I cut off the entire waistband, and used tiny safety pins to fasten the top of the fishnets to various points around the inside of my dress’s bodysuit. It’s a royal PITA to do, because it has to be done very precisely to make sure the pins neither create lumps nor injure the wearer, but it sure does eliminate the muffin top. I suspect this trick won’t work with anything less durable than the pro-weight version, though, because safety pins are likely to rip right through normal fishnets.

 

[scullystwin42]

that seems like a lot of work. you could get a slightly larger size and pull the fishnets up to under your bust. I've heard of other dancers doing that.

as for the sliding, i think the only thing i would say is make sure you tighten your shoes. mine have never slid.

 

[worddancer]

I use the Joanna Trojer comfy fishnets and they don’t slide inside the shoes. However, I am not liking that they have holes pretty much after 1 or 2 uses. I may check out that capezio basics.

 

[Firefly]

Not strictly a dress or fishnet choice related question, but rather an uncomfortable question for the ladies. Actually, several questions - do you wear underwear with your costumes? And question number two (the one I personally struggle with) what do you do for the critical days? I am in the unlucky camp of ladies who bleeds A LOT, I mean, a tampon might last me through the first heat or two, but I can't be running into the bathroom every hour to change it. And even then I still need a back up. How do you handle it?

 

[worddancer]

Yes, I wear underwear, the seamless kind. Or spanx type underwear, which I just used for the first time last comp, and was kinda awesome.

I have competed during my period and I wear a pad and period underwear. That should last me during the actual competition time.

 

[Firefly]

Yes, I wear underwear, the seamless kind. Or spanx type underwear, which I just used for the first time last comp, and was kinda awesome.

I usually do too, but at the last comp I tried just to go with the protective pad in a bodysuit and have to say it was such a liberating experience not having to worry about an extra layer .

I have competed during my period and I wear a pad and period underwear. That should last me during the actual competition time.

What sucks is the period underwear limits the dress choice. One of my rhythm dresses has a pretty high mesh covered slit on one side and the period underwear will definitely be showing. Speaking of preferences, I usually wear Thinx, which one do you prefer? I am always on a look out when it comes to these things.

 

[worddancer]

I usually wear Thinx, which one do you prefer? I am always on a look out when it comes to these things.

I have Thinx and Dear Kate.

If you get a nude colored one will it be less obvious? Or maybe avoid that specific rhythm dress on those days.

 

[Firefly]

I have Thinx and Dear Kate.

If you get a nude colored one will it be less obvious? Or maybe avoid that specific rhythm dress on those days.

That's why I have several dresses for both smooth and rhythm with different degree of openness and various colors. Oh the life of the woman! I am actually seriously considering getting endometrial ablation done (I have other indications besides the super heavy flow).

 

[IndyLady]

Yes, I usually wear underwear/body shaper (obv of similar material and nude or other appropriate color). I have junk in the trunk, and often the body suits don't fully cover it to my satisfaction. I generally shy away from dresses that are revealing enough for people to get a glimpse of that area, though I just noticed in pics of my last event that the rhythm dress comes up higher when it spins than I thought (it seemed like full coverage but guess not).

Also.... absolutely no white dresses. 'Nuff said.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

you could get a slightly larger size and pull the fishnets up to under your bust.

I can do that, but only in the front. My new rhythm dress is backless (I swore I'd never buy another backless dress...sigh...).

 

[Firefly]

I can do that, but only in the front. My new rhythm dress is backless (I swore I'd never buy another backless dress...sigh...).

Backless or not, I feel like I would be so self conscious the entire time worrying about the damn tights sliding down from under my bust and bunching up at the waist.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

Backless or not, I feel like I would be so self conscious the entire time worrying about the damn tights sliding down from under my bust and bunching up at the waist.

Yeah, no doubt! All those so-called "won't ride down" top bands are bull. I have NEVER, ever, ever EVER EVER worn any foundation garment that did NOT either ride up or slide down when & where it wasn't supposed to. Hence the safety pins.

I'm getting so annoyed with the fishnets that I'm contemplating bare legs. Super heavily tanned, super heavily "gleamed" or sparkly or however you describe it - but... I just don't think I can dance freely like that, knowing that all the loose skin everywhere from my knees to my waist is jiggling at all times.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: GRAVITY SUCKS.