karrie started this discussion ·
I have my first lesson, so exited, this Thursday. Could anyone give me some good ideas on what to wear?. Thanks, k
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Leggings and a shirt that is not loose and preferably one that covers your apper arms. I usually wear tight capris. Silk burns are nothing to laugh at.
No jewelry either. A lot of aerialists wear shorts (like pole shorts) over tights or leggings. This prevents your underware from showing through the leggings when you're aerialing. Probably not a problem if you wear workout leggings though.
The studio I teach at requires you to remove all jewelry (not just from your hands/wrists), hair cleanly pulled back from your face, and form-fitting clothing that covers your legs past the backs of your knees and long sleeves. Typically, people just bring a long sleeve to wear over a tank because its only required when working on the apparatus. The long leggings/yoga pants are good bc they keep your legs from getting burned when climbing/descending, and while clothes do not need to be tight, form fitting will keep your clothes from getting tangled in the silks and make it easier for your teacher to see what is going on while you are up on the silk. You can always layer if you aren't sure. For my first class ever I wore pole shorts, and that was the worst idea ever. Don't do that :) unless you wear them over tights or leggings as mentioned above.
Um, *underwear*. Seriously, I don't know why I can't spell some days... I'm going to second pulling hair back. Nothing more painful than getting your hair wrapped up and then ripped out by silks.
In my experience the most comfortable thing to wear for silks, lyra, hammock or anything like that is a catsuit. :) Than your whole body is covered to protect you from any burns and you have complete freedom of movement with nothing holding you back. You could also wear a bodysuit with leggings underneath (but not tights because your feet need to be bare to climb the silk). Make sure that they cover your knees and armpits as you may be doing drops when you land on your knee pits or armpits. Generally the more body you cover, the better :) With a shirt or anything two piece, even if it's tight, I often find out that it pulls up when you do the moves or go upside down because the silk drags your clothes with it. Of course you need to take off all jewellery and don't put on lotion before the class :)
Haha since I only wear tights for aerial, I basically completely forget that "tights" have feet on them! I have found that I don't wear cat suits or leotards/unitards for training/teaching unless it is the costume and I am rehearsing for a performance. For the everyday stuff, I buy body stockings (usually Capezio) to wear under tanks and leggings. This givescoverage to the waist, so I dont have to worry about burns on my back/sides, adds a little thickness to leggings. When I am doing costuming and want a barelegged look, I double them up. I have found that they are a cheaper alternative to buying leotards. I probably have 20 sets of these at least. They do tend to last quite a while. http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_1818.html?pid=347&Shop=Brand&SID=432466268
Thanks for this thread and infomation! I went to my first lesson tonight and was dressed way wrong!
I learned the hard way.. more clothing, more clothing, more clothing. It is the total opposite of pole lol! Definitely full leggings, long sleeve shirt. Even better if you have a leotard, or a tank top tucked into your pants underneath. I have gotten "burnt" under my arms, my wrists, my thighs, the back of my knees, my back, my hip, etc... And it took me that many incidents to learn.. more clothing. And I second hair pulled back, do NOT get hair stuck or in your face while you are high in the air and upside down! Something else - cut your nails! Long nails can tear holes in silks!
Right..."footless" tights only! But really, when you're first learning, I think something cotton based is best since it isn't as slick against the silks. I do like leotards, but rarely wear them. Usually it's just a workout tank and leggings, but I rarely do drops into my armpits. Hate them... I need to get over it.
one more thing to remember with total coverage... an aerial gym is still a gym... which means that each apparatus is touched by a lot of people. Same thing with the rosin if you have a rosin sock, mats, etc. The studio I teach at requires a lot of clothing coverage because that can be kind of sweaty and gross for everyone's armpits to be on the silks. The silks are washed regularly, but its not everyday, or even every week. And if you are getting burns, they shouldn't be uncovered and touching the apparatus. MRSA and other nasties are an issue and its just more hygienic to be covered, and wash hands before and after class, etc. Also a good idea to cut nails because when they are too long, they can also cut into your palm when gripping.
I usually wear a leotard and leggings. Or a unitard with some fun shorts or a shirt to mix up some colors. I usually bring a long sleeved shirt in case of moves that burn the arms. The fun thing about circus clothes are that youcan layer, mix and match....bah never mind...you dont even have to match! :) good luck!
I usually wear capris and a t-shirt. Someone also mentioned no lotion before class, but I find that, just like pole, dry skin is slippery on fabric too. Don't forget the tops of your feet when slathering up.
Make sure your back/waist/tummy is covered... I wore a shirt that was not form fitting once, and it rolled up while I was sliding down upside down. I got the loveliest silk burn on my back. I sometimes wear a leo under my tights/tank/shirt but if I don't I end up tucking in my shirt into my tights/leggings. Soooooo sexy! Lol! 🌸
