Dancing On A Dime: Buy in Bulk

Although we haven't been given our makeup colors or shoe and tight options, there are still ways I am able to prepare for the upcoming competitions. I like to make sure my kit is fully stocked with all of the dance necessities long before I have to throw it in Rac n Roll and run. Right now I'm trying to compile everything I need for hair and body, and spend as little as possible while doing so.

 Fashion Tape from You're Lookin' Good!: This was the supplier I was planning on using for my Competition Box. Seriously, their prices cannot be beat, especially if you're stocking up. They start at $1.39 USD for both 3M 1522 and Red Liner Sensi-Tak (the stronger hold option). There are also shipping costs involved, which start at $10 USD, but by placing a group order with other parents and dancers, and even factoring in the currency exchange, one could pay as little as $2.25 CAD a roll. Forget the $12 that Shoppers Drug Mart charges for the same product, and the $8 that the Capezio Bunheads line charges for pre-cut strips; try heading to your local wig shoppe or check out hairtape.com for some serious savings. It's the same tape!

Hair Nets from Uline: I suppose I'm lucky because the little girl's hair is quite an average color. I can buy any brown hair net for her buns, and they're likely to match. Right now I'm testing out a box of nylon ones I purchased from Uline. Sure, they're meant for food sanitation, but they feel and look the same as the Bunheads ones I get from Discount Dance Supply. Gone are the days of paying $4 for a pack of 3 nets, which will last approximately one wear before they get caught on pins, rip, and have to be tossed out. I paid $22 CAD for a pack of 144 nets. This is another buy in bulk purchase since Uline's site only allows you to buy a minimum of 3 boxes at a time. That's over 400 hair nets. I don't think any dancer could go through that many in a comp season. I did manage to get my hands on one box by calling in instead of ordering online, and being close to their Canadian facility so I could pick up in person. Obviously, this option isn't available to everyone. What I do suggest is checking out a local restaurant supply store or Cash & Carry for a similar product. The cost would mostly likely work out to about about $0.25 a net, rather than the $1 each being paid to dance suppliers.

P.S.: My camera is broken, so I apologize for the crummy images. I would love if someone could recommend a digital camera that works well for blog photography.

The Tape Test

One of the most used items in my dance kit this year was something I thought I would only need in an emergency - fashion tape. I bought a 36-pack of pre-cut strips from Capezio's Bunheads line for $10 at my local dance supply store and figured it would get me through 3 competitions and 2 recitals. Between the costumes, leg warmers, arm warmers, and head pieces, I was left with about 6 strips after our first comp. When I first started thinking about assembling The Competition Box, I knew for a fact I wanted to include this dance essential, but in a larger quantity and for a much more reasonable price.

After doing some research, I decided that the best fashion tapes for me to test out would be 3M (white backing) and Sensi-Tak (red backing). 3M seems to be the standard tape being sold in stores (it's what comes in the Bunheads box at a huge markup), while Sensi-Tak is a little sturdier and is supposed to last 3 to 4 times longer than the 3M tape.

I found a wholesaler and ordered each tape in different sizes so I could test them out. I also ordered a few strips with a curved shape, which could be a good option for helping to secure costume pieces around the knees and elbows.

It became clear at the beginning of the testing process that the tape rolls weren't going to cut it. Sure, they offer more flexibility in length, but the pre-cut strips have an extra-long backing allowing for easy removal and a slice in the middle of the front protector film for the same reason. When you're in the middle of a quick change, every second counts. You don't want to be fumbling with fashion tape, especially if you're a little on the clumsy side like I am. Half your tape is wasted before you even start applying it to the costume. I also ruled out the 1" wide tape because it seemed too thick, and the 1/2" wide because it seemed too flimsy to be able to hold anything up effectively.

 

When I applied both tapes directly to my DD's skin, secured her to her crop top and then let her jump around, they both held up about the same. The real test came when I taped the crop top to a pair of dance tights and swung them around for about a minute. The Sensi-Tak was still going strong, while the 3M started separating.

Removing the tape is a test in itself, and both tapes were easily peeled away from skin and material; however, the Sensi-Tak did come away with more material lint than the 3M. I feel like if this was used with a delicate material, like lace, or came into contact with anything fuzzy or feathery, it would cause some pulling or damage.

I'm torn between these two items. I think I'm going to start using the Sensi-Tak with stronger fabrics, but still keep some 3M strips on hand for when I don't want to jeopardize the integrity of the costume. For this reason, I plan on including both tapes in my kit. The quantity is still up in the air, but I know for a fact that it will be more than the paltry 36 being sold currently.