artstonecostumes.com . . .

0148 razzmatazz

I picked this for my combo class (4-6 y/o). They are dancing to "Gotta Boogie" by Weird Al.

2 parents said that they felt it a bad costume because it made the girls look like "women". GRRRRRRR!!!!!

The SO found it rediculous, but asked if I could look into another costume. I chose this one.

www.weissmanscostumes.com . . .

1427 let me entertain you

I have a feeling that I'm going to get the same reaction with the alternate costume.

Anyone have any other ideas? Green and fringe is a MUST for the costume.


Thanks for your input!

It sounds like the parents are anti-fringe, if you ask me. Why is fringe a must? I personally don't think it's inappropriate, but I like the 2nd one better anyway.

How many kids are in the class? If it's a good number, then honestly, 2 parents complaining isn't too bad. If it's small, like 5 or 6 kids, then I can see how it would be an issue. Why did you show them the costume first anyway? Our parents don't get to see the costumes until we have already ordered them.

I couldn't get the Art Stone link to work. I did see the Weissman's costume and I can't imagine what they think is inappropriate about it (and I'm VERY conservative when it comes to children's wear).

just type the # for the art stone one into the style.
i thought both were perfectly fine, and I too am somewhat conservative with childrens costumes. I do like the 2nd one better though i think(not for the conservativeness, just the cuteness)

I will be out one out.
As an SO and teacher would not choose this for a 4-6 year old class.
Although as a mom I would not object.
I think it does look a little grown for that age - JMO.
ARe the moms saying change the costume or do they just not like it?
Honestly, not all will like the costume that is picked.
Geesh, even I did not like some of the costumes I had to wear as a kid, but it is part of the process.

I like both costumes, the fringe looks like fun for the girls to dance and swing around.
I also teach combo preschool classes and I always pick ballet style costumes because I think the parents want sweetness emphasized. In fact, I had some unhappy parents because we had a red halter costume last year and they would have preferred something like a pastel. Oh well, other parents were happy!!

I think both are super cute, I actually like the second one better The funny thing is that I used pretty much those EXACT same costumes for one of my 3-4 year old classes last year. They looked so adorable onstage!

I have had 1 problem in the past with a parent who did not want her child to wear a flapper type costume for a dance, traditionaly (sp?) I think that flappers were scandalous women in the time they lived in...though their outfits now are obviously not scandalous...

I love them both, dont think either is inappropriate and i come from a very conservative studio. I just used a very similar one last year for a 4-6 combo class and the parents loved it.

I don't think either are inappropriate but do prefer the second one more

first costume - super cute
second costume - also super cute!

I have no idea why there would be an issue. Both have a leotard underneath. I mean, they send their daughters to dance class in a leotard anyway... its not like they are bikinis or something... And really, these costumes are used by tons of dance schools for this age. We had a group tap to "charleston" who wore fringe costumes as well...

I think they are both cute!
I do remember once years back a couple of parents not wanting their kids wearing black. Something tells me if it were in another color they wouldn't object. That said, I would not change it simply because then every year the parents will think you will change the costume according to their tastes.

We show the costumes to the students & parents once the costumes are paid for. The SO orders them over xmas break.

In all honesty, I am glad that the parents spoke up BEFORE we ordered the costumes...COULD YOU IMAGINE!? UGH!

There are 9 girls in the class. I am SUPER conservitive with ALL of the costumes that I pick. I want fringe because there is lots of twisting, turning & wiggling in the routine...it just fits!

I think the issue might be that the costume has black in it! The parents said "Why cant they have a costume like last year?" (They had a multi-colored tutu) My SO said..."Well they are not doing ballet this year for the recital". They said that they did not like the neckline on the 1st costume. They also said that the sequin was too much. (Shakes head, LoL)

Costume #2 has the same neckline of their costume last year and there is less black. Plus there is the flower piece in the front that makes it look more girly.

I told my SO that I would be happy to pick out another costume because there are so many cute ones out there. I just have a feeling that a different parent will have something to say about the 2nd choice. If they do...then they can vote between the 2 and majority wins!

I agree...I like the 2nd one better!!

BTW...They wont be weairng fishnets! Just tan tights and black ballet slippers.

I like both of them equally...and I think they are both really good for the song. I also think that parents should not have a say in costume choices, and that if you change for one, then you'll have to change for another somewhere down the road.

Here's my question: If they are objecting to the costumes, do you think they will have issues with their sweet little girlies dancing to a song about having a booger on one's finger? Not that you should change music for parents, either, but be prepared for a storm when they realize what its all about!

I agree that they are mature costumes, but not inappropriate. I think parents (especially those of 4-6 year olds) have very specific expectations of what dance class is and what their child's performance piece will be like. Although I am not an advocate for giving every parent his/her wishes, it does make good business sense to somewhat play into their expectations. I think most envision their child at this age dancing in tutus and tiaras; glitter and fairy dust; pink and rose... you know the picture. Since these kids are the bread and butter of the school, I think sometimes we have to surrender some of our artist freedom for what the paying costumer wants. (And as I say this, next year you'll have a class of biker mamas who want their kidos in leather Harley jackets!) =)

Anyways, I've gotten off topic when I wanted to say is the costume fine, it just doesn't play into the ballerina that the parents thought they were signing up for.

I don't think either one is inappropriate. They have straps, their mid-sections are coverred and the fringe keeps them a little hidden, which are the main three complaints they usually have. I think they are both super cute and I actually like the 2nd one better for a 4-6 year old tap. When you show the parents the costumes, don't tell them that you are changing it because of their complaints. Tell them you came across another costume that you felt fit the routine better and decided to change it before it was orderred. This is the costume, end of story. I don't know whether its your policy to show the costumes to the parents or not but we never show them until the costume arrives-causes too much drama for them to know ahead of time.

faerydust00 wrote:

Here's my question: If they are objecting to the costumes, do you think they will have issues with their sweet little girlies dancing to a song about having a booger on one's finger? Not that you should change music for parents, either, but be prepared for a storm when they realize what its all about!

That's the thing...the parents are SO into the song and dance...yet a few are objecting to the costume choice!

UGH..."you can't please everyone" is an understatement!!

DIVA: I agree 100%...I won't even mention the fact that a few parents complained.

PSYCH: STOP! Don't give me any new, wild ideas for Harley Jackets!!!

If your being critical then the one thing you can say about the first costume is it's made with an adult shape to it. Where as the second one is certainly made with a little girls shape in mind and there is more colour on it, which always looks better on young children.

I like the second one better anyway also!

A lot of times its the FISHNETS that they really have a problem with. Try suggesting just black tights instead. A lot of parents think it makes costumes look "burlesque".

I would also remind them that they have the same amount of coverage and tightness with their regular dancewear.

I don't think it's inappropriate, and we have a conservative dance school. They might feel better about the second one because it does look slightly more childish.

I don't think that either are inappropriate, HOWEVER, I do like the second one a lot better....I think that is much more little girl than the first one.

OT:

Tap_Dance_Kid wrote:

PSYCH: STOP! Don't give me any new, wild ideas for Harley Jackets!!!

If you get a wild idea and go with it, I want to see video! (Although I think you asked me to NOT encourage you!)

I think both are definitely appropriate, but I like the Weissman's one better. Parents will be parents, I have a 4-year-old class with parents obsessed with the fact that the costume is brightly colored. Parents need to get lives and find something better to do with their time then question us as teachers. Go with your gut!

I don't think either are inappropriate. Maybe they think they are because of the fishnet tights? Just a thought but you probably wouldn't use fishnets for a 4 year old anyway.

Neither are bad. I agree about the fishnets maybe making the costume look "too mature."

Last year I had a costume that was on a 17 year-old in the catalog picture. The parents were not happy with it. I told them to shove it and it ended up being everyone's favorite costume. Sometimes the pictures in the book give the wrong impression to someone. I am contemplating not showing costumes to parents and kids because of this.

Good luck!

I agree with ValGal...sometimes its the age of the person in the picture that throws the parents and children. I had the opposite of your situation, some of the kids were saying they felt their costume was too babyish because the child in the picture was younger then them. I explained they used her as a model but that it was appropriate and it was actually one of the best costumes. For littles though we do try to stay as conservative and cutesy as possible. The second one would be my pick.