Bodysuits for all Bodies

Growing up in the dance community, I was surrounded by a group of strong and powerful women. Throughout the years, I learned many valuable lessons both from my teachers and my peers, but the most valuable lesson I learned was about body diversity. When you have a group of girls lined up side by side in front of a mirror, you start to look at all of these beautiful young women of all shapes and sizes and realize that only some of their bodysuits fit correctly. 

Being a young girl in a setting with a strict dress code is hard enough, but once your body starts to develop and grow, it can feel really exposing.

Bodysuits are advertised as something that will support a dancer's body as they move. I can say from firsthandexperience that this is rarely the case for some.

Bodysuits have not been designed to be body inclusive. Instead, they are geared more towards slimmer, flatter body types. I have noticed issues in terms of back support for larger-chested girls. The support that is needed for these girls cannot be found in most dance stores. They are considered to be specialty items, which are mostly found online at unreasonable price points.

In addition to sizing issues, it is rare to find dancewear that is comfortable to wear throughout the course of your period. Most dancewear is thinly lined and tight-fitting, making it nearly impossible to wear pads if needed. This is problematic when taking into consideration that many girls in dance studios are just learning about their bodies and their cycles.

Lots of these girls go to dance class feeling uncomfortable, worrying about whether or not people can see their feminine hygiene products through their leotards.

Dancewear, specifically bodysuits, is displayed as something that supports a woman's body, but many of them don't really offer the support that a woman's body really needs.

Support does not mean squeezing yourself into tight fabric. It means offering comfort both mentally and physically so that you can perform to the best of your ability without worry or fear. Unfortunately the current market for dancewear does not allow all girls to feel comfortable, but I believe we can reach a point where bodysuits are made for all bodies.

Morgan Abell