Costume advice, please

[Vicki7]

So, my rink is doing a show in April, and I'm in a couple of numbers. One, I've pretty much figured the costume out. The other, however, I'm struggling with. I've been given the role of Wonder Woman in a group number (I get a small solo too - eek!) and I've literally no idea what to do.

I've got:
A kingfisher blue practice dress (long sleeves)
A red leotard (also long sleeves)

So I was thinking of using one of those as a costume base, but I don't know! I'm also querying a cape (coach says he doesn't care, as long we we can skate in whatever we choose to wear).

I'm 27, and quite well endowed in the chest area, so the off the rack Wonder Woman costumes are a no go for skating...

Advice is greatly appreciated

[LunarSkater]

All the Wonder Women costumes I know have her in a red bodice and a blue bottom. Could you use your red leotard and buy a nice blue wrap skirt?  Don't worry about the sleeves; you'll be happier for the warmth. The stars on the bottom and gold bits on the bodice could be tacked on for the show so the items could be used again. Ditto for the gold bracelets. The golden lasso could be a simple length of gold cord tied around your waist. Also, Wonder Woman doesn't have a cape, so one less thing to worry about.

Just some ideas. Hope they might be of use. 

[Vicki7]

Oooh, very good advice, thank you I did wonder about the cape, some pictures had one and I got confused!

Are tacks strong enough to hold stuff in place for skating? I've got visions of costume parts shedding as I skate 

[LunarSkater]

It depends on how strong the tacks are, honestly. It also depends on the materials being sewn together. And how far apart the tacks are. Really, I mentioned tacks because they're stitches that are designed to be removable.

Tacks do work in a show environment; my previous job was in entertainment costuming. There have been tacks I've done just to get a costume on the street for a 45-minute parade with vigorous choreography - and they've lasted. Do them correctly and they will hold (long enough for your purpose, at least.)

[riley876]

Do them correctly and they will hold (long enough for your purpose, at least.)

I agree, and definitely remember to tie the thread ends together.  But I'd probably also use upholstery thread with a sturdy backing patch just to be on the safe side.  No way that this will come loose, unless it tears through the top fabric.  In which case something really bad probably just happened and you probably DO want it to detach rather than moving the failure down to some more critical area.

[tstop4me]

I'm 27, and quite well endowed in the chest area, so the off the rack Wonder Woman costumes are a no go for skating...

Hey, remember Lynda Carter's motto:  "If you've got 'em, flaunt 'em!"

[Vicki7]

Ha! Due to only being able to make Saturday rehearsals, I'm the oldest skater in my group at 27 - so I've gotta keep things family friendly 

I *think* I'm pretty much decided on using my red leotard - I can get a skirt fairly cheaply along with some accessories (I attend comic cons so they'll get some use). I've also got to be careful as I've got a costume change and currently don't know how long I've got between numbers...