Dancing has long been a popular activity that requires passion, athleticism, discipline—and the proper dance equipment. If you are opening a dance school, a retail store that stocks dance equipment, or just looking for the proper dance gear for individuals or groups, you will need to find durable, comfortable and appealing dancing supplies at a good price.
There are many types of dance: jazz, ballet, ballroom and tap are a few of the most popular forms taught to children and adults. Each type of dance requires specific dance equipment. For example, to study ballet, dancers will need ballet shoes and tights or tutus. Tap dancers need tap dance equipment, like shoes. Ballroom dancers wear flamboyant costumes that dramatize their moves and appeal to judges of ballroom dancing competitions.
Dancing is a demanding activity, and dancers will demand high quality and high-performance dance equipment. Make sure you offer a great selection of styles, brands and sizes to fit the needs of every dancer.
For your business to be successful, you will have to:
- Be knowledgeable about brands, styles, new technology and fit
- Offer a wide range of dance equipment, particularly shoes and apparel
- Cultivate productive and valuable relationships with dance professionals, dance companies and dance schools in order to stay abreast of latest fashion trends in dance equipment
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
When buying dance equipment, know that shoes are essential dancing gear
There are different shoes for jazz, street, ballroom, ballet and tap dancing. Be sure to offer a broad selection of sizes, styles, brands and fit for men, women and children.
I recommend: Sansha carries a variety of different dancing shoes and dancing supplies for all types of dance.
Trimfoot offers comfortable and breathable ballet shoes, as well as jazz, tap and ballroom dance equipment for the feet.
Capezio is a top manufacturer of jazz dance equipment, particularly shoes. A leading supplier of ballet equipment,
Grishko, carries an impressive selection of pointe shoes. They also offer ballet boots, ballroom shoes and folk shoes.
Comfortable dance apparel can improve a dancer's performance and is a unique part of ballet gear
Dancing equipment must be appropriate. Ballet dancers wear leotards and tutus; ballroom dancers wear flashy and colorful costumes; Irish steppers need special shoes and tend to prefer glitzy apparel. Offer a selection of dance equipment to appeal to different types of dancers.
I recommend: Mirella carries leotards in many styles and colors for men, women and children.
Tutu Couture is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of upscale tutus for girls and young women.
Body Wrappers offers a variety of dance apparel, including leotards, dresses, skirts, tutus, sweaters, shrugs, tights and practice wear. They also carry adult apparel for jazz, modern, hip-hop and team dancing.
Danskin makes stylish modern and classical silhouettes for every discipline.
Stylish and colorful ballroom dancing equipment is a must for ballroom dancing competitors
Ballroom dancers wear flamboyant, unique outfits that help to accentuate their smooth moves on the dance floor. It is all about the spectacle with this form of dancing, so be sure to provide the dramatic costumes ballroom dancers demand.
I recommend: DanceSport Ballgowns designs custom gowns to fit a dancer’s specification and measurements. They also have a selection of gowns, men’s shirts and pants and other dance apparel.
Casandra And Company designs modern, elegant ballroom dresses.
Aida Dancewear offers ballroom apparel for men and women appropriate for practice and competition. They also carry shoes and other ballroom dance equipment.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Fitting dance shoes properly is imperative when selling dancing equipment. Shoes must be snug, yet comfortable. One mistake people make with ballet shoes is they get them too small. Uncomfortable shoes can cause serious problems for dancers, so make sure to take the time to provide a great fit. Your customers will appreciate the care you take!
- Depending on your business, you may want to consider stocking dance studio equipment. Ballet barres, dance floors, and wall-to-wall mirrors are important to any dance studio. To be a one-stop supply store for dancers and dance studios, you will need to carry a variety of dance and dance studio equipment.
The official source of Dance Equipment is the Dance Equipment page at Business.com
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