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.

What about a body suit with a little skirt with fringe or just velvet stretch and then arm bands with fringe.

I think both costumes are cute! I used the 2nd one this last Winter for my 3-4 year old tap girls and they LOVED the fringe and thought they were the cutest things ever (and they were!)

I am conservative when picking costumes and I do not think this is inappropriate!

Oh my gosh, I can't imagine this costume being inappropriate at all, I think it is totally fine, it covers more than just a leotard would

This will sound terrible, but I have had my fill of people today. People are idiots! Why can't they just leave us alone and let us do our job? If the costume was made for a 18 year old and was baring skin, then yes, it would be inappropriate.
But, my gosh, look at it, it is cute and brite and covers the dancer!

In fact I am doing a Roaring 20's theme this year and used just about every fringe costume I could find- I am using the Weissman's costume in hot pink! I used the Art Stone costume 2 years ago. Both costumes were for 5-6 year olds. These costumes look great on stage, they move even if the dancer doesn't!

I just can't stand people anymore! I think I could move to a deserted island and be perfectly happy!

Good Luck!

Because I am feeling very "pi$$y" today, I read thru all the comments. I cannot believe all the comments about fishnets. This just goes to show how old I am, when I was a little girl, every tap dancer wore fishnets! No matter how young, or how old. My first tap teacher had been a former NYC Rockette and believed that this was the proper attire for a tap dancer. I do not use fishnets, simply because I think they are uncomfortable for little ones and tights are so much better now than when I was a child. I just did not realize that parents would find them "burlesque"- it just goes to show you that people have no idea what they are talking about most of the time.

By the way, I got a great laugh about the song's content! Hee Hee Hee! I have never heard of that song before. Here's a story, one year I had a 3 year old who had a problem with "nose excavation" and I used to try to tell her not to do that and that it wasn't polite, etc.... Couldn't get thru to her, and one day she walked up to my sister during ballet time with a green gob on her finger and said, "Look, Boogie." As to which my sister, never missing a beat, said, "I see, I bet your Mom would love to have that!" and sent her running out to her mother with her finger in the air! Hee Hee Hee!

^I wore fishnets too for tap. I don't see anything inappropriate about them. At all.

I also don't see anything inappropriate about the costumes, however some parents are just too new to the dance world (the costume is for little ones who do combo class, right?) so they don't really understand or think about their little ones dancing in the same way that you do.

Personally I think the second costume is MUCH better, mostly because I hate Art Stone and I think their costumes are horrible quality and their customer service is crap. But the second costume is also much cuter.

I'd check out this website if I were you:
www.awishcometrue.com

It's pretty much aimed at kids, their costumes cover kids so that their costumes aren't "revealing"...but they still have some really cute designs and I'm sure you could find something suitable in there if the SO still doesn't like your second costume choice.

I have to say as a parent and teacher for 17 years I would never put young kids in fishnets. I think it makes them look too old and frankly I think it makes them look slutty, but that is my own personal opinion. The first time I wore fishnets was in 7th grade and my parents almost had a heart attack.

I agree with some other posters and think the problem is that the costume (especially the first one) is black. When you see kids clothes in any clothing section they are usually bright colors...pinks, blues, greens, purples etc. Not too many kids clothes are marketed in black. I think the second choice is better. I don't find either inappropriate and I love the fringe and so will the girls, but in my opinion the brighter costume is better.

I really don't think either one is inappropriate at all, but I really like the gloves and style of the second one better. It is just impossible to please some parents.

There is nothing wrong with either one of them. Give parents a choice.

Choice one - this is the costume. If your child is in the show, this is their costume.

Choice two - this is the costume. If you do not like the costume, we will understand if you choose not to do the show and we will miss your child being a part of it.

No choices! That is my motto!

in my opinion, both are appropriate. I dont think there is anything wrong with those costumes. I mean if the midrift was showing thats one thing, but how is that costume differnt then the mifority of classwear. NOTHING especially for ballet most stuios want kids to wear tights and leo and thats all. Those costumes are fine and parents compplaining need to utube other jazz dances and costumes and realize they views are differnt fromt the majority. Also maybe putting black tights with them mey help the parents too. It will make it not look so "leggy"