Sweet Pins

You will probably know that for the second year Sweet Pins is one of the sponsors of the Australian Burlesque Festival. Many of our customers are burlesque performers or simply love that kind of look. So it really made sense to start a collaboration with what is, to date, the largest and most popular burlesque festival here in Australia.

This year I’ve had the opportunity to attend various shows across Australia. I know, how lucky am I??

Not only I had a lot of fun watching some of the best national and international performers. All the ABF staff and stage kitties were wearing stockings and garter belts we supplied and they all looked stunning!

I also got to learn a few tricks dancers use onstage. One of them is how they use stockings to create the illusion of longer limbs and a even toned legs.  

Fishnets seem to be a favourite choice and I learnt that this is because regular sheer nylon stockings often create an undesirable sheen under stage lights. Many burlesque dancers cut off the legs of fishnet hose at the crotch- each leg stays up by itself or with the help of a suspender belt, to recreate a more vintage look. 

It’s a good idea to invest in professional dance tights, particularly when it comes to fishnets. Professional dance tights are more expensive than regular hosiery, but they will hold in any unwanted jiggle on your legs and will last for ages. With a professional weight stocking, if you happen to get the material caught in a shoe buckle or on a piece of your costume, pretty much the most damage that will occur will be that you lose the connecting threads of one or two squares.  From the stage, this will not be noticeable at all. With cheaper hose, a long, unsightly run or ladder will most likely appear.

Fishnets come in many colors, but the best for stage use are nude and black. Because of the open net pattern, black fishnets create an optical illusion and make your legs look curvier; nude or flesh tones will make your legs appear longer. Many showgirls almost always wear skin-toned fishnets with neutral, high-heeled shoes precisely because this combination makes the dancer’s legs look like they go on for miles!

When it comes to professional dance tights, Capezio is one of the best brands around. A favourite amongst dancers and celebrities (Kylie Minogue, for example, wears Capezio fishnet on stage) they are strong, durable and incredibly flattering.

A selection of Capezio fishnet tights is available at Sweet Pins

(Source: princessraqs.blogspot.com.au)