Ms. Poppy Chiffon — the doyenne of dance, the baroness of ballroom etiquette, the sultana of Southern hospitality — is pleased to answer your dance-related questions. Here are a few queries that Poppy deigned to extract from her mailbag this week. If you have a question that you would like Poppy Chiffon to address, please e-mail her at askpoppy@dancestationusa.com. Ms. Chiffon regrets that she cannot respond individually to questions.
Dear Poppy,
I have to say that my legs aren’t as shapely as they use to be when I was younger. I am dancing in the up coming Summer Showcase and need to cover up, to support, and to make my legs look beautiful. What type of pantyhose do you suggest look best and give good support at the same time?
Searching For A Miracle
Dear Searching For A Miracle,
Oh my, there is a lot that I can say about pantyhose. First of all, the best support and my highest recommendation are fishnets that are close to or match the color of your skin and are made specifically for dancing. They are a bit tight but allow your natural skin tone to come through and will give you support and the results that you’re looking for. The most important thing to remember about covering your legs and feet when performing is to keep the color neutral or the same as the color of your skin. When we dance there is a line that flows through our body and extends out from our limbs, and we want this line to flow and to look beautifully infinite. Another thing to remember is to keep all skin exposed the same color. No light hose with tan arms or tan hose with light arms. It’s a distraction rather than a complement. Finally, I can’t say enough about SHEER TO THE WAIST! There are many miraculous advances in technology these days and sheer to the waist pantyhose are up there in my top 10. Believe me, ladies, wearing bloomers does nothing for your sex appeal and does not hide your thighs. Now is the time to move into the future and put on those sheer to the waist pantyhose and some dance pants. Break a leg!
Dear Poppy,
The Summer Showcase is in two weeks. I am getting a little nervous and want to check with you about how I should wear my hair. I am dancing both ballroom and Latin dances and my hair is shoulder length. What is appropriate for the showcase?
Lil Hair Nervous
Dear Lil Hair Nervous,
Wear it UP, UP, UP. You don’t want to have to worry about hair in your mouth or across your face during a sexy picture line whether it be in ballroom or Latin. You don’t want to have to worry about your hair at all. You should be thinking only of your dancing. Sweetie, just put it up tight and get it out of your face. If you are fixing your own hair, honey, be sure to practice a few times before the day of showcase so you will have all the necessary pins, clips, adornments, etc., and it won’t be so stressful getting ready that day. Break a leg!
