LONDON – LIVING – Today’s cheerleaders are athletes, scholars and leaders; and cheerleading competitions themselves have also come a long way. Nowadays, aside from creating a rapturing choreography and perfecting the performance through hours and hours of practise, the visual effect also plays a big part in the overall look. By saying ‘visual effect’ we are referring to cheerleading uniforms.
For a coach, choosing the right cheerleading uniform is not an easy task and can be quite stressful since it can be the determinator between first and second place. There are also budget issues that need to be taken into account as well. One needs to search for designers and vendors who are willing to offer cheap deals.
Before you choose any costume, you need to make sure that the costumes reflect your team’s standards and style. Here are some tips that you should keep in mind when choosing cheerleading costumes:
Regulations
Many schools have a set of rules and regulations that dictate how cheerleading uniforms should look like. For example, if the rules state that the cheerleading skirts should not be shorter than a specified length, you should heed them. Before you purchase any uniform, you make sure that you read the specified dress codes.
Comfort
The comfort depends on a few factors, including fabric type, style of the dress, and design of the uniform. To ensure comfort, the cheerleading uniform should be made to fit one’s body type and must be made from high quality fabric. Do not choose style over comfort because the cheerleaders will pay for it during routines and practices.
Moreover, do not opt for restrictive costumes because cheerleading involves a wide range of movements. Also, bear in mind to select an outfit that will change shape during the performance.
Material
Choosing the right fabric is very important. Regardless of whether you are buying a single uniform or several for the entire squad, you must go for a fabric that is flexible and comfortable. Keep in mind that some fabrics demand hand washing while others specifically need machine cleaning.
Moreover, some materials are not long lasting, meaning that you will have to replace your uniforms a lot sooner. To avoid this, you need to shop for durable fabrics.
Budget
You need to know how much money you have at your disposal. Having a budget will help narrow down your search options. Buy in bulk if possible. You will find companies that offer discounts to bulk buyers. This way will save you a lot of money.
Visual Flow
When buying cheerleading crop tops online, you need to consider the visual flow. This means you should purchase crop tops that will make your audience focus on the face and upper bodice first before following down the body to see the costume full effect. When choosing a cheerleading uniform, choose something that makes the face the focal point.
Age
You need to choose uniforms that are age-appropriate for all the cheerleaders. If your team is mostly made up of young girls, opt for full-length tops and longer skirts. You also need to stay away from clingy materials that show too much of their bodies.
If the uniforms appear too mature, you will distract the audience from your routine and draw attention to the wrong thing.
Design
Regardless of the design you choose, it should not allow the undergarments to show. Therefore choose uniforms with a solid construction. You also need to ask the girls to choose the right underwear. Nobody wants to see unsightly bra straps and panty lines during performances. Ask the members of your squad to wear underwear that suppresses jiggly and bouncy body parts.
Fit
Does your team do many jumps and tumbles? Opt for flexible and comfortable cheerleading costumes. Stay away from off-the-shoulder styles. Choosing too-tight uniforms will make your team look tacky and unprofessional.