Costume Solutions

Thank you to the following companies for responding to this issue’s costume questions: Dansco/FINA, Designworks, Liberts, and Weissman’s.

Q: What can school owners do to make the ordering process easier for themselves and the costume company?

A: First, order early, say several companies. Weissman’s explains that ordering early is important because of “the cyclical nature of the costume business and the complexity and fabrications that are used in today’s costumes.” According to Designworks, that means allowing 12 weeks for delivery. Next, check your order confirmation. Algy, Dansco/FINA, and Weissman’s emphasize that the time to discover errors and correct them is when you receive the order confirmation, not the costumes. Correcting errors before the costumes are made saves time and money.

When placing orders, be prepared and organized. Designworks recommends making a checklist before calling to place an order; doing so will cut down on guesswork. Weissman’s suggests having someone else review the order—a fresh pair of eyes will find errors that you might overlook. Dansco/FINA points out that placing your order while driving is not recommended (yes, it’s been done!) and that having your customer number, style numbers, and credit card information handy is always appreciated.

Ordering online is convenient and offers some advantages. “It’s a great way to avoid ordering sizes that are not available,” says Weissman’s. “Plus, the math is calculated for you.”

Designworks acknowledges that communication during peak seasons can be difficult. “We know it is sometimes difficult to get quick in-person answers at those times, which is why we love getting email or phone voice messages, which we always answer within 24 hours.”

Using the size charts is critical. According to Weissman’s, the costume industry does not have one standard for sizing but tries to remain consistent.

Dansco/FINA advises being realistic about sizing. “Every company is different; it’s just like buying jeans or shoes. It is always easier to take something in, especially if recital time is near, than to return a costume that’s too small and hope we have a larger size in stock.”

Liberts recommends choosing a costume and ordering one of each size as a sample. “That way the kids can try on various sizes and find the best fit. Since some children may wear a size medium shirt and size large pants, it helps to buy costumes that are two pieces (separate top and pants). Some costume companies let you return the fitting sample sizes that are not needed. Plus you have the bonus of determining any other fitting issues before you place your order.”

Finally, Algy and Weissman’s urge school owners to open shipments immediately on receipt. “Have the students try the costumes on as soon as possible—not the week of the recital,” says Algy. That way you’ll know whether all costumes and accessories have been received and whether the fit is correct while there’s still time to make changes.

Q: My preschool students seem to grow a lot from the time I place my order for costumes (December) and the time of my show (June). How much leeway do you suggest I give for growth, and what are the most important measurements to give that leeway in?

A: Expect kids to grow an inch or two between December and June, says Dansco/FINA. That means that “if they are already near the upper range for a size in December, they will likely be right out of it by June.”

The costume companies agree that the girth measurement is the one to go by, “particularly for students in the growth-spurt years,” says Designworks. But there may be some exceptions. “Look at the costume; depending on the style or the fabric, it may be best to order by the waist measurement and take it in elsewhere,” advises Dansco/ FINA. “Most fabrics will stretch a bit, but remember that if it’s already stretching to cover a tight waist, less material will be able to stretch lengthwise if their girth is close [to the maximum].”

Algy and Weissman’s suggest that if a student is on the high side of the girth range or falls between sizes shown on the size chart, you should go up to the next size. “If you are ordering well in advance, allow one or two inches in the girth per six months (also considering where they fall in the size range on the measurement chart),” says Weissman’s. “Remember, it is always easier to make a costume smaller than it is to make it bigger!”

How do you measure girth accurately? Designworks offers this technique: “With the student in a leotard, standing straight, measure from the right shoulder over the chest, through the crotch, over the bum, and back to the same shoulder. Do not pull or distort the tape measure.”

Liberts says that if a costume is one piece (such as a leotard or bodysuit), girth is the most important measurement. But, they add, “the inseam measurement can pose a problem as well. It’s always better to buy one size larger in pants and hem them than to have pants that are too short. Growth spurts generally affect the height more than the waist, so order several extra pairs of larger sizes and return those you didn’t use after the recital.”

Ordering costumes that have stretch will help with fit problems, says Algy. All of their costumes have either a stretch front or back, or both.

As always, beware of what you buy. “If the price is super cheap, it is more likely to be made with cheap fabrics that may not stretch,” says Algy. “You get what you pay for.”

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