>Problem is, what kind of belt should I use, and where do I go to find one? None of the dancewear catalogs or websites I've consulted mention this kind of belt (that I can find; maybe I'm not looking in the right place).
Easy solution: At your neighborhood sports store (Sportsmart is where I shop.) you can find these elastic belts that the baseball players use for thier pants.
These belts usually are elastic (some are a cord-like material...avoid those) and are adjustable, with a belt buckle that's secure. They typically come in several colors and two basic sizes: adult and teens. The adults adjust from about 30" to larger; the teen belts adjust to smaller waist sizes.
You may think they're bulky, but that helps them stay flat without rolling-up into a tight cord (like many simple elastic belts will do).
I put one on over my tights with the buckle in front, then turn the belt around my body so the buckle's in the rear. I then fold the material over the belt, then underneath it, so that any labels in the back are underneath the belt. You can roll the belt down again if you like.
The alternative is to get some elastic at a fabric store and sew the ends together at a comfortable, around-the-waist length. But I find that even the elastics that they call "non-roll" will roll. You can also buy buckles at the fabric store, and use the elastic with them.
Good luck! balletboy[/i]