Find that perfect fit: wide shoulders, short torso, full hips, ample bust? We found the leotard for you!With so many different leotards out there, how do you pick the one that will look best on you? Figure out your body type, then take a clue from your favorite leotard. Chances are you love it because it flatters your shape. To help you find other attractive looks, DM talked to top designers. If you're busty bust·y adj. bust·i·er, bust·i·est Full-bosomed. Adj. 1. busty - (of a woman's body) having a large bosom and pleasing curves; "Hollywood seems full of curvaceous blondes"; "a curvy young woman in a tight , Danskin's Audrey Vrattos suggests wearing a leotard with a back high enough to wear additional support garments. If your goal is to downplay your bottom, Mirella Dancewear's Marilyn Burbank says, "Cap sleeves may make your shoulders look broader, creating a balance." Prima Soft's Marlena Juniman suggests "wearing a leotard with flattering detail at the bodice to distract from the hip area." Wish you were taller? Solid-colored or princess-seamed leotards create the illusion of longer lines. According to Karen Kunch of Body Wrappers, dancers with long or short torsos should try taking advantage of leotards with adjustable straps. To get you started, here are some of our favorite picks, their suggested retail prices and where you can find them. We found a leotard for every build. So worry about what matters--your dancing! "TIPS FOR TRYING ON: Wear any tights or undergarments that you usually wear under the leotard. While in the dressing room, do a grand plie pli·é n. A ballet movement in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight. [French, from past participle of plier, to fold, bend, from Old French; see pliant.] in 2nd and port de bras port de bras n. The technique or practice of positioning and moving the arms in ballet. to the back to see how the fabric moves. Keep in mind the material might shrink slightly. Don't focus on your favorite details while ignoring other design problems. Try on a few sizes even if you think you've found the perfect fit--you may find that you have the wrong size." FLAUNT flaunt v. flaunt·ed, flaunt·ing, flaunts v.tr. 1. To exhibit ostentatiously or shamelessly: flaunts his knowledge. See Synonyms at show. 2. A FLAT CHEST High, wide necklines and interesting back details are flattering and emphasize your elegant line. (Bloch "Tansy tansy (tăn`zē), perennial herb (Tanacetum vulgare) of the family Asteraceae (aster family), native to Europe but naturalized in North America. " twist back camisole camisole /cam·i·sole/ (kam´i-sol) [Fr.] straitjacket; a jacketlike device for restraining the limbs, particularly the arms, of a violently disturbed patient. leotard shown in turquoise #L5877D $38 www.blochworld. com) THE WAY FOR WIDE SHOULDERS Designers agree wide shoulders are an asset, so show them off with interesting sleeves and necklines. (Star Styled Dancing Supplies split petal sleeve leotard with empire mock wrap front and high back #3069 $42 www.starstyled.com; 800.5Dancer) DE-EMPHASIZE YOUR DERRIERE Create balance by making your shoulders appear wider. Plus have the comfort of a generous cut. (Body Wrappers Brushed Tactel cap sleeve, adjustable drawstring bodice; front darts with skirt, shown in merlot Leotard #P604 $43 Skirt #P605 $27.50 www.bodywrappers .com: 800.323.0786) WANT TO FEEL MORE CURVACEOUS cur·va·ceous adj. Having the curves of a full or voluptuous figure. cur·va  ceous·ly adv. ? A low back and side seaming tailor the leotard while complimenting natural curves. (Danskin tank leotard with seam and square back detail, clear sew-on logo, and front shelf bra in iris #1720 $36 www.danskin.com; 800.288.6749) HONOR YOUR HIPS Higher leg lines flatter the hips, and bodice details pull the eye upward. (Capezio diamond back camisole, shown in black with peony peony (pē`ənē), any plant of the genus Paeonia of the family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family, although placed in the order Dilleniales as a separate family, the Paeoniaceae, by many modern botanists), mostly Eurasian species trim. #3700 $36 www.capeziodance.com; 800.533.1887) SLIM DOWN ON THE SPOT Choose flattering dark, solid-colored leotards made of supportive heavyweight material. (Dance Distributors control fit tank leotard in black #DD-L2496 $22.90 www.dancedistributors.com; 800.33.Dance) LONGING FOR A LONGER TORSO? Flatter your frame by keeping your chest and shoulders open. Princess seams help elongate e·lon·gate tr. & intr.v. e·lon·gat·ed, e·lon·gat·ing, e·lon·gates To make or grow longer. adj. or elongated 1. Made longer; extended. 2. Having more length than width; slender. the torso. (Prima Soft camisole leotard with princess front seams and low square back, shown in coral # 504 $26 www.prima-soft.com; 215.572.5177) HIDE YOUR THIGHS Take advantage of a patterned bodice while drawing attention away from the thigh area. (Mirella camisole leotard with a raised jacquard pattern, shown in periwinkle periwinkle, in zoology periwinkle, any of a group of marine gastropod mollusks having conical, spiral shells. Periwinkles feed on algae and seaweed. blue #M220 $38.95 www.mirelladance.com) HELP OUT AN AMPLE BUST Look for supportive straps, shelf bras or underwire un·der·wire n. 1. A semicircular wire support sewn into the underside of each cup of a brassiere. 2. A brassiere with such a wire support. lining. (Leo's Dancewear dance·wear n. Clothing such as leotards and warmup suits that are worn for dance practice and exercising. pinched front tank leotard with velvet accenting and shelf bra, shown in burgundy #19-28 $32 www.leosdancewear .com; 773.889.7700) HAVE A LONG TORSO? Details at the bust divide a long torso, and adjustable straps are always helpful. (Gaynor Minden "Gala" leotard with cumberbund top and adjustable spaghetti straps in black; $39 www.dancer.com; 800.637.9240) WISHING FOR A LONGER NECK? Choose wide, open or low-cut necks, which create length. (Eurotard fully-lined front, camisole leotard in light blue #10527 $19.50 www.eurotard.com; 770.475.3045) STANDING TALL Keep your leotards classic; it will accentuate your naturally long, clean line. (Harmonie Tactel/Lycra camisole with multi-paneled construction in pale blue #HW701 $35 www.hamoniedance .com ; 800.435.4518) |
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