Dance Moms, I Need Some Advice

Go to a dance supply store they have tights made for dancers. Also keep there toenails short and filed.

I posted a question like this not too long ago! My daughter is 10 and had ruined several pairs of tights already.

I did end up buying a more expensive pair from our dance studio. They were only $12 but already I can tell they are thicker and more durable. We went through a pair a week for 3 weeks and now the new pair has lasted a month or so.

I did find out it's okay for her to wear leggings so I found black leggings for her to wear with a pink leotard. Since she is in dance twice a week she wears tights one of the days (for ballet) and leggings the other day (for jazz). I've been keeping an eye out for pink leggings because her teacher said pink leggings are okay for ballet.

I also had a talk with her about paying attention in class to her tights. At first she was just goofing around and she tore them one day horsing around by the mat. She sat on the velcro. Your daughters also need to know they need to act like lady dancers in their tights.

Good luck!

As a dance teacher myself; you may want to try something like Capezio or Bloch tights. I also have been wearing tights from Express, they hold extremely well...I doubt the store carries little girl clothing/tights there. Anyhow, get a good pair of tights. I've never had kids go through that many pairs of tights at their age! I haven't had any child yet (since September) for this year, go through a pair of tights. Make sure you put on their tights and they don't tug or pull on them.

I am sorry you are going through this. Tights should last long even at their age! I have 2 pairs of tights I've had since I was 15 and I'm 27 now and never have they tore or anything...and I'm still wearing them!!!!!! Tights should last a very long time! :)

Good luck!

Stop buying the cheap tights. Go to a real dance supply store and get the tights that have an opening near the toe (I forget what they're called?) This allows your daughters to push their feet trough the bottom, and slip on their flip flops, slippers or whatever footwear they wear to and from dance class. My daughter has two pair, I think they cost around $10-$15 each and she has been wearing them for two hours of dance per week since June and they are still in great condition :)

OH i hear you!!! so when my daughter doesnt rip them herself i put a run in them with my ring, grrr... finally i gave up and bought some dance tights from walmart, $4.50 a pair and she has worn them 3 times now!! wooo!!! also I just keep checking the childrens place, old navy, baby gap, walmart, and target clearance if i am at those stores and buy tights cheap so it isnt as heart breaking when they tear or snag... also when the girls are tumbling in class i keep my daughter ballet slippers on her vs letting her run around on the floor just in the tights (prevents her from slipping and falling for 1 and 2 saves the tights)..
I find dance a money pit no matter how I go around it, but she enjoys it so in the $ goes :) GL

Ask their dance teacher what brand she (or he!) recommends and what size. They need the right size with some give -- if the tights are too tight, they'll rip more easily. The teacher should be able to help you.

Do the girls put the tights on themselves? I'm betting not, at their age. But anyway, the tights need to be gathered up at the toes so they aren't shoving their feet down the whole length of the leg but putting their toes into the very tip-toes of the tights and then rolling the tights slowly up the leg all the way to the crotch, then you need to ensure the crotch is all the way up at their crotch level, not below it. There shouldn't be a gap between their crotch and the crotch of the tights or you'll have a lot of rips there quickly. (But I bet you're doing all that already....just double check.)

And "cheap tights" will never be the same as "durable tights." Pay a bit more for ones that really last. Also...what do you consider "going through" a pair of tights? If you mean huge runs, rips and holes, yep, you have the wrong tights, probably a size too small. But if you mean nicks and small holes that can be doctored with clear nail polish, there's no need to throw those away. And as others note, watch those fingernails and toenails!

Hi marah belle-

I have no idea how old your girls are (or WHAT they are doing in dance class...lol) but unless they are 'pro's'...2 pair a week is crazy!!

I order from 'discount dance supply' on line...I order only brand names/colours that the studio designates. We machine wash in a lingerie bag...and hang dry...

My girls are older...but they carry kids sizes as well...they let me know about sales/specials/closeouts...and deliver in a timely manner...

Best luck!!
michele/cat

**I also make sure their toenails are well trimmed when in 'full' tights...**

Make sure you are buying tights and not hose. check their shoes for things that might snag them.
other than that unless it's a big hole I'd just put some nail polish on it and make them keep wearing them, tell um they need to be careful or they will have to wear tights with holes.
Making them they are the right size as well , too small and they can pull and make holes or runs. too large and they can sag and snag on something.

When I was in dance, my mother kept my finger and toenails well trimmed and filed. We also moved to a thicker type of tights (more like thin socks) but I don;'t know what the brand was.

I buy Body Wrapper brand tights for my daughter. They last a good 4 months before they start to pill, and look dingy. I have never had a tear or a run in these tights. They are AWESOME. I think I paid $8 a pair. (My daughter just turned 5)

Are they too small? If they aren't too big already, maybe you can try buying a bigger size.

My 6 year old wears the Danskin tights from Walmart (about $5/pair) and they have held up well and lasted a long time.