cheap, used dance outfits - where?

[taximomfor4]

Anyone have a clue where I could find cheap, used dance outfits? My daughters are going to dance a Halloween Feis (Irish Dance competition). They can wear costumes instead of their usual dresses. I already have costumes for them for trick or treat, but they can't dance in those (too long). Ebay is ridiculously expensive right now, and my budget is pathetic. I thought some kind of dance outfit could be added to, to make it halloween-y. Anyone know where those worn-once-for-a -recital kids' dance outfits end up?

 

[NaLisa]

I see lots of pageant-type dresses and dance-recital costumes at yard sales in my area.

Maybe call a larger dance studio in your city and ask if they do consignments or know a good place to find used costumes. Also, many community theatres rent out their costumes for Halloween, for MUCH cheaper than a costume-rental business.

Good luck.

 

[mjkacmom]

How about borrowing someone's cheerleading uniform? You have to know someone who takes ballet, or jazz. I'd just ask around before buying something to wear once. My dd had an outdoor Feis last month, and they let them take off their dresses, and she wore a tank top and a homemade little skirt they were selling at Nationals (red, white, and black - very minnie mouse-ish). Since Halloween is coming soon, I bet a lot of recital costumes will show up on ebay.

The day they were allowed to dance without costumes, I put on her bun wig instead of full, and instead of a headband, put on a matching big bow - it looked really cute. She got a third place trophy - I think it was my bow.

 

[taximomfor4]

How about borrowing someone's cheerleading uniform? You have to know someone who takes ballet, or jazz. I'd just ask around before buying something to wear once. My dd had an outdoor Feis last month, and they let them take off their dresses, and she wore a tank top and a homemade little skirt they were selling at Nationals (red, white, and black - very minnie mouse-ish). Since Halloween is coming soon, I bet a lot of recital costumes will show up on ebay.

The day they were allowed to dance without costumes, I put on her bun wig instead of full, and instead of a headband, put on a matching big bow - it looked really cute. She got a third place trophy - I think it was my bow.

LOL. Definitely the bow, I bet.

I posted on FB, begging for someone to lend us something, but not a single reply. Also emailed several friends who aren't on FB. Feel bad calling around asking to borrow, but it's either borrow, or the girls will have to not wear costumes at the feis. At their age/level, kind of stinks. I just can't justify buying another costume for each kid!!

The only person I know whose kids are in a different form of dance is my SIL. I asked her, while I was visiting. She keeps NOTHING so all her kids' former outfits are gone right after the recital, lol.

Thanks for the ideas, to both pp's. I will be calling around today. Youngest dd is desperate to be Pocahontas, but I think it might be too long to Irish Dance in. Plus the chances that I'll find one of THOSE to borrow?!

 

[linnylu]

What ages/sizes are you looking for? My dd has a cute baseball dance outfit- red and white striped above knee dress. She also has a red dress that could work for little red riding hood. I have several costumes from past dance recitals if you could give an idea of size. I could then email pictures.

 

[taximomfor4]

What ages/sizes are you looking for? My dd has a cute baseball dance outfit- red and white striped above knee dress. She also has a red dress that could work for little red riding hood. I have several costumes from past dance recitals if you could give an idea of size. I could then email pictures.

One is a 12yr old who is 4'3" tall (vertically challenged, but not very thin...usually get her size 10 stuff to be comfortable in the middle, even 12 sometimes. But in height, more a 10). Other dd is 8, just a touch below average in height, slender (about size 6-7).

 

[mjkacmom]

Maybe try to find a little skirt and make a fairy costume? Or a pleated skirt, blouse, knee socks and thick glasses, and go with a geeky catholic school girl? At first it sounds like a fun, cute idea, but it stinks to have to buy a costume when you already have a dress.

I tried to convince ds7 to be an irish dancer for halloween, wearing dd9's first solo dress, but he refuses. Spoiled brat.

 

[GhillieGirlsmom]

Is it the whole Feis or just a treble reel? My daughter did a costume treble reel once, and we bought an inexpensive "grass skirt" at party city. She wore a pair of shorts underneath, a tank top on top and we bought some leis that we pinned from shoulder to hip like a cape and bought some other flower things that she put around her head like a head band and some that went around her wrists. The whole thing cost less than $10!

A Halloween Feis sounds so fun! It's in the mid-west, right?

 

[mjkacmom]

Is it the whole Feis or just a treble reel? My daughter did a costume treble reel once, and we bought an inexpensive "grass skirt" at party city. She wore a pair of shorts underneath, a tank top on top and we bought some leis that we pinned from shoulder to hip like a cape and bought some other flower things that she put around her head like a head band and some that went around her wrists. The whole thing cost less than $10!

A Halloween Feis sounds so fun! It's in the mid-west, right?

This is such a cute idea!

 

[taximomfor4]

Maybe try to find a little skirt and make a fairy costume? Or a pleated skirt, blouse, knee socks and thick glasses, and go with a geeky catholic school girl? At first it sounds like a fun, cute idea, but it stinks to have to buy a costume when you already have a dress.

I tried to convince ds7 to be an irish dancer for halloween, wearing dd9's first solo dress, but he refuses. Spoiled brat.

OOOO, good ideas -- especially the geeky one for dd12.

And hysterical about your ds!! Mine would be the same way!

Is it the whole Feis or just a treble reel? My daughter did a costume treble reel once, and we bought an inexpensive "grass skirt" at party city. She wore a pair of shorts underneath, a tank top on top and we bought some leis that we pinned from shoulder to hip like a cape and bought some other flower things that she put around her head like a head band and some that went around her wrists. The whole thing cost less than $10!

A Halloween Feis sounds so fun! It's in the mid-west, right?

It is in Pittsburgh. We did it last year, and I made dd12 (then 11) the Ghost of Feises Past. The costume ended up really cute but didn't dance well so I don't want to use it again this year. The hula idea sounds super cute, although a tank top would really let both girls' arms show (neither one has them under very good control currently, lol). Still, definitely not a budget breaker!

 

[mjkacmom]

The hula idea sounds super cute, although a tank top would really let both girls' arms show (neither one has them under very good control currently, lol). !

My dd's current solo dress has a great spot to anchor her hands. She was just measured for her new one, and now I want to remind her teacher how well this one worked with her arms (not that I have any say about the design and/or colors). I have to email her some measurements of her current dress (better sell this thing), and I'm going to mention the fact that dd has relied on her anchors for a year. Her arms don't move (the skirt is puffy).

 

[hambirg]

Some of the thrift stores are starting to put out their costumes. It's just a matter of getting lucky. . .keeping checking in frequently. Aslo try Freecycle.

 

[taximomfor4]

My dd's current solo dress has a great spot to anchor her hands. She was just measured for her new one, and now I want to remind her teacher how well this one worked with her arms (not that I have any say about the design and/or colors). I have to email her some measurements of her current dress (better sell this thing), and I'm going to mention the fact that dd has relied on her anchors for a year. Her arms don't move (the skirt is puffy).

hmmmm...please share! dd12 was out for months with an injury to her knee (a recurring one). She is struggling to return, and her arms are NOT looking good. dd8 just shot up several inches in height, and now has to build up the muscles to control the extra length. With O coming up, it's a priority, lol.

 

[mjkacmom]

hmmmm...please share! dd12 was out for months with an injury to her knee (a recurring one). She is struggling to return, and her arms are NOT looking good. dd8 just shot up several inches in height, and now has to build up the muscles to control the extra length. With O coming up, it's a priority, lol.

It's the style of the dress - at her first feis after this dress, her teacher grabbed her arms and tucked her fists into the folds, which are stiff. When she first started out, her teacher made her dance with a penny in each hand.

 

[taximomfor4]

It's the style of the dress - at her first feis after this dress, her teacher grabbed her arms and tucked her fists into the folds, which are stiff. When she first started out, her teacher made her dance with a penny in each hand.

ah-ha...littlest dd really bends at the elbows when going up into a spring. She just really needs to concentrate, I think. Other dd just needs to grow her muscles to control her newly heavier body. My oldest (17) OTOH really, really needs to work on hands, arms, everything. Her arms fly out, AND her hands go into viola-playing position (left hand's fingers all splayed out). It's like a flag, drawing the adjudicators' eyes right to her bad arms, lol.

 

[mjkacmom]

ah-ha...littlest dd really bends at the elbows when going up into a spring. She just really needs to concentrate, I think. Other dd just needs to grow her muscles to control her newly heavier body. My oldest (17) OTOH really, really needs to work on hands, arms, everything. Her arms fly out, AND her hands go into viola-playing position (left hand's fingers all splayed out). It's like a flag, drawing the adjudicators' eyes right to her bad arms, lol.

My dd now has good arms (very muscular), but needs to work at turning out her feet more. Her teacher has hired a ballet teacher to work with the girls on stretching once a week. I like getting the scores - I can't tell anything, but the same comments keep on coming! At least she's consistant.