As a formal dancer, I completely understand. These costumes are not only a reminder of the time and dedication that you put in at the studio, but also the intricate journey that you went on to get something that would be the perfect fit. I have memories of my mom sitting by the TV sewing on all the snaps on a top to be ready for an upcoming competition , after several hours of applying details to a few other costumes. No way all that effort was going to waste… Afterwards giving it away to the local thrift store only to be discarded–or worse, deconstructed.
Fear not! If you’re a dance mom, or just looking to declutter the memories from your old routine, read on. This post will guide you through sustainable solutions that honour your sentimental attachment, even providing an exclusive option for your dance costumes to shine on and continue to bring joy.
1. Rent or sell it, at your own studio
In most cases, studio directors are extremely understanding about the out-of-pocket expenses that are expected with being a dancer. Most competitive programs have fixed costs; purchasing special brands of makeup, wearing a specific uniform and indisputably agreeing to the routine’s costume. If you’re participating in ballet (or pointe), I’ve seen stunning performance tutus purchased for $400 to give non-dance parents an idea. Typically, if the dancer is in a competitive program this brand new outfit will only be showcased a handful of times. Typically, after one dance year they are put into storage and rarely see the light of day again…
On picture day, remind your teacher or director that you would love to share this costume with a future dancer. You may have the opportunity to rent it for a small fee, or better yet if you wanted, to sell it onwards–albeit for a smaller price.
The foreseen issue with this is majority of dancers are enrolled in group performances, meaning that smaller numbers typically won’t utilize different costumes in one routine. Judges generally look for everyone looking as unicent as possible. It just means, you’ll only be able to serve these groups if more than one person from a group routine agrees to lend their costume on.
2. Host a costume swap within your dance community
Create an event at your studio in collaboration with dancers from your community. Everyone who RSVP’s is required to bring a gently-used costume or dance item with the intention to donate or swap. You can get creative with this and even encourage the Directors to get involved perhaps providing incentives like a free technique class or workshop. This would encourage sustainability, assist with easing any anxiety of costume expenses further on and be a win-win situation for the dancers involved.
Keep in mind, it’s best to have an open conversation with your dance teachers about this idea. Certain dance studios might have more strict costume regulations or rules regarding re-wearing something from a previous year. If you’re a competitive dancer, you’ll probably have a handful of outfits to potentially swap or trade so maybe confirm which ones another studio would actually accept.
3. Get creative with the fabric
Rather than discard or give away your costume, consider repurposing the fabric to create smaller pieces. After all, I know dancers love a cute scrunchie! Another option is if there is a different costume you plan on reusing with any similarities, you could potentially create some small accessories to along with it. If not, get creative! Dance outfits are beautiful and full of flare, share what you have with a friend and perhaps work together to create something spectacular.
As a sidenote, if your parent purchased your costume for you, I advise consulting with them first. You never know if they have a plan or a better option for you!
4. Try reselling online
Given that they can be pricey $$$ this is one of the best options if you’re looking to make some money back. Taking some great photos and exploring online websites or marketplaces for resale–nowadays there are so many to choose from. I have seen dance costumes listed on popular ecommerce websites such as; Kijiji, Facebook, Depop, Poshmark, Ebay and even the option to purchase new on Amazon. If you are looking to resale a unique costume that could only be used for a specific dance style, I recommend only trying on a marketplace dedicated to dance costumes. The one we use to fundraise costs and is available to anyone is Recreate Mrkt which provides the option to ship worldwide.
Similar to selling any item online, depending on the item there can be high competition which means that profits are not guaranteed. This brings me to my final (and FAV!) tip on what to do with your used dance costumes…
5. Donate it to dancers in need
The ultimate way to make use of your old dance costume while making a sustainable choice, is simply donate it to a dancer in need. Reach out to local dance schools, community centres, and other organizations that focus on providing dance programs outside of a dance studio environment. Inquire if they have programs or initiatives in place to support dancers who lack resources. By partnering with these organizations, you can ensure that your costume reaches those who will truly benefit from it.
Our organization is dedicated to connecting donors with dancers who may not have the means to afford costumes. By making a donation, you directly impact the lives of aspiring dancers and help create an inclusive environment within the industry.
