Ruined Ballet Tights

I can't tell you how many pairs of pink tights I have had to wear just in my few ballet classes and plays I have been in. Get used to it. I second the idea of buying in bulk if this is something she is serious about.
For the runs, use clear nail polish all over the run and it will stop it. Also for holes on the legs. Any on the feet and they will get bigger no matter how much polish you put on them.
Is the studio she is dancing at have a black rubbery floor, or a wooden one? If it's wood, definatly buy bulk. But the black (called marley) floor should help with the wear and tear. What kind of shoes is she wearing? That could possibly contribute to any holes that could catch if she is sitting and some rough piece of leather catches.
Please don't make her buy them. If it's normal wear and tear, than you as the stage mom need to get over that along with the need of new shoes, more pony tail holders for her bun, and leotards that aren't cool looking any more. If she is taking sizzors, then yes, she has to buy them
***And I second the Capezeo split sole shoes. I still have mine! And I am still using them. I think I bought mine 4 years ago. Off and on use, but lots of use when on :D

I danced Professionally(PNB and Cornish Coll. of The Arts).

I should have bought stock in Tights, point shoes, leotards and foot tape.

Do they have to be the thick pink or can she wear the more thin ones?

If she doesnt have to wear the thick ones...Go to the Ballet store(specifically for dance wear and gear)get the type that has the thick seam down the back(they will open on the bottom..this is for when you are older and need to fix toes in point shoes). these dont pull as easily. They do cost a bit more...but they will last so much longer.

Dont make her buy them....unless you see her damage them on purpose...You have no idea how easy it is to snag then even just with a sharp finger nail.

I will make an unasked for suggestion too...If ballet is something she likes and sticks with...buy the canvas Ballet shoes. They have a split sole on them and Capiezo makes them. They last SO MUCH LONGER then Leather ballet shoes. and they come in Classic Pink, White, Beige and Black. They also make it easier to move and slide...I found that leather once wet with sweat would stick more when trying to turn and flow...

Wow that is an answer for a very simple question....

Things are made so poorly these days I don't think it's her fault. I rarely wear nylons anymore but am surprised at how I can tell they are flimsier than they used to be. A few things you might be able to do. If you can catch a snag before it runs, use some clear fingernail polish on it. With the pairs that have a "ruined" leg, cut the leg off. Then layer the tights so you have a good leg for each of your daughters legs. Hopefully she has a small skirt so this will be hidden and is possible......

http://dancers.invisionzone.com/lofiversion/index.php/t49...

No, you are not being a mean mommy and I hope the info on here may help in choosing the best tights for your needs.

It CAN be normal. Your frustration is normal as well. This is such a budget-buster.

I was just in a play (local theater) in which all the females had to wear solid black opaque tights. One of the young gals kept tearing hers, and she'd sit backstage trying to repair them with a needle and thread. One night she came in wearing patterned stockings by accident, and going home to get her other pair was out of the question, so I lent her my extra pair of solids. They fit - but the poor things were ripped, torn, and shredded by the end of the evening.

I personally think tights are designed by the manufacturer to wear out with the speed of light.

Sit down with your girl and ask her to think about what she does. Ask her to make sure she doesn't have any sharp edges on her toenails. Have her check her ballet bag for Unidentified Tight-Hating Objects. If she rips them by pulling them off too fast, that means she needs to remember to put them on and take them off slowly. If you can find Betty McDonald's "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic" at the library, read together the story of the "Heedless Breaker" who turns everyplace she goes into a disaster area until (magically) she discovers how to move like a queen, s-l-o-w-l-y and r-e-g-a-l-l-y. Your dancer might get a kick out of the story, and she might start thinking about moving like a dancer so that her clothing doesn't self-destruct.

If she needs further incentives, it wouldn't hurt for her to donate to the Tight Replacement Fund every time another pair bites the dust. Ten is usually a little young to be able to afford buying a new pair every week.

And... ask the dance teacher where to get good tights that won't cost an arm and a leg. Ask her if other dance moms by them in bulk. I'm positive your daughter isn't the first student to have this problem!

The kind of tight I used back in the day lasted forever. Today's tights are usually made in China. It's a lack of quality thing. I refuse to buy anything made in China.

I would not make her pay for them if it is not her fault....maybe watch how she dances and acts to see if it is actually her fault. I bought the cheap tights until the actual dance recital. They never made us wear any certain type or color until the recital. That is an odd rule just for practice. Talk to the instructor/director. You can also buy them used, our studio used to have consignment sales or try buying on ebay. I have two pair only worn once each that I am about to sell on ebay, I would give them to you but my daughter was 4 yrs old so they wouldn't fit your daughter. :o) I used to buy my cheap ones at Walmart or Target.

My daughter is in her 4th year of ballet, so I know what you are going through. I found that the Walmart brand -heavy tights last longer than the Danskin brand.....and the footless ones with a lace border at the bottom seem to last longer too. In the winter she has worn pink cotton tights, and likes wearing leggings with her leotard too. Our studio says pink tights, black leotards, but they don't seem to mind when she wears black leggings with her black leotard, this year I am going to try and find a pair of pink leggings to wear with her leotard. Good luck!

Updated

My daughter is in her 4th year of ballet, so I know what you are going through. I found that the Walmart brand -heavy tights last longer than the Danskin brand.....and the footless ones with a lace border at the bottom seem to last longer too. In the winter she has worn pink cotton tights, and likes wearing leggings with her leotard too. Our studio says pink tights, black leotards, but they don't seem to mind when she wears black leggings with her black leotard, this year I am going to try and find a pair of pink leggings to wear with her leotard. Good luck!

My daughter has been in ballet for 5 years, and we very rarely ruin a pair of tights. The only kind I buy are the professional transitional tights with the seam in the back. The fabric is different than normal tights, and much more durable. The bonus is that you won't have to buy a new pair for any performances she's in, as usually that's the type of tight that is required for performances. Most of my daughter's tights are Capezio, but we do have a pair of Body Wrappers tights that are working out well also. So far her tights have held up so well that she uses them for a full year (3 classes per week) and then we hand them down to her little sister. The tights are probably $20/pair, but worth it. I buy them at allaboutdance.com.

We have dance tights that have lasted the 3 years she has been taking classes, she passed them down to her little sister.... Our studio has a store inside and I work in it. We sell the dance tights for $9.95 + Tax to make them $10.81. They are Revolution brand, they are in a box with harlequin squares on it. Some are purple and grey, some styles are pink and grey, others are green and grey. They should be lasting much much longer.

But it also goes to show you that she needs to get dressed with consideration to what she is doing. Anyone can pull a hole in fabric if they pull hard enough and don't stop to pay attention to what they are doing.

Talk to the place where you bought them. They may replace them if they are an actual dance store that is not someplace that just sells hose and has some tights too.

Maybe try a bigger size. It's much easier to tear tights when they are, well, very tight! The fabric is stretched as fas as it can go and is more likely to tear when she stretches.

Good luck!

She'll have to learn to be careful putting them on/taking them off.
Can she wear leg warmers to help protect them a bit while she's wearing the tights?

I never had these problems. I always bought Danskin brand leotards and tights. I still have a pair from almost 15 years ago! They're minty. Perhaps the quality of clothes in general is just going downhill?

Anyway, I'd get her a linen or lingere bag to keep her tights in, so they won't snag in the bag. I'd also look into getting her a pair of tights that are a size or two bigger than her. While they are fitting well, perhaps there isn't enough give left in the fabic so when she moves they are tearing? With a slightly bigger size, they might have more give and less tearing.

I'd also hand wash them with Woolite, like you'd do with pantyhose and lingere and avoid the dryer. That might help too.

Some kids are just hard on tights.
My daughter wore Capezio footless tights that I got online from www.discountdance.com. They also have footed tights. Buy a bunch.
YMMV
LBC

sounds like they are too small. i would get the kind that are legging tights the kind without feet in them. my granddaughters ballet teacher allowed those. but ask before buying them. your not being a mean mommy making her take care of her stuff but if they are too small that is not really fair to her
also you might want to sit with her and show her the correct way to put them on. gather them up on each leg all the way to the toes and put in toes first and pull them up. not hold the waist band and try to force whole foot in at once.