written by  Jim Coleman  on 03.09. at 14:19:44

So I was wondering what kit once could wear that one already ownes that would be OK just for the first lesson, and then, assuming all went well, I would of course happily trundle off to my local dance store to relieve them of most of their male dancewear stock!  ;o)

Jim

>Did you ever watch the "Rumpole" series on TV?  Or any other>English courtroom dramas?  There's a standard, customary garb>for barristers in court: robe and wig.>Now, tights are basically functional.  They are unforgiving; as>a teacher once said to me, they show you off or they show you up.>And your teacher can see exactly how your body is placed & how>you're moving your limbs & your muscles.  But in addition, it's the>custom in ballet, just like the robe & wig in court.  (After all,>bike shorts show as or more than tights.)  And I think it's a good>idea to follow the custom.  You're entering a new world here--a>world with its own values & customs.  You don't get many oppor->tunities to do that in life, & it's an adventure when you do.>So go for the whole experience & get the tights.>Oh...what if the experience proves a washout?  What if you're so>discouraged (& ballet can be *very* discouraging when you start)>that you decide the whole business was a mistake?  What about>those tights then?  Well, men wear tights cycling, jogging, in>the gym (or so I'm told).  And if all else fails, save them for>Hallowe'en.  ;-)>And by the way, don't forget to get a dance belt to wear under>those tights (or bike shorts or anything else).>Tom