Pink Tights Are Not The Issue

February 06, 2023

Pink Tights Are Not The Issue

When I began research for this article, although not extensively, I was surprised to not have found at least a historical journal surrounding pink tights in classical ballet. It is really interesting that as I looked for the information as a refresher I only came across articles advocating for more flesh tone tights as opposed to the historical pink tights. Again, while I did not engage in extensive research I came across a webpage which shared the reasoning behind pink tights.

It is no secret that most ballet dancers are white and taking it further back in time there was a guarantee for that to reign even more true on top of there being but a few black ballet dancers. As the article went, pink tights were worn to mimic, in an elegant manner, the actual skin of the dancers. The color was also great to show the definition and lines of the dancers' legs. During a time in the 1800s costume maker, Maillot was said to have innovated the piece of dance practice clothing that would finally liberate dancers from the former clunkier, bulkier pieces of clothing dancers had to choose from. As a avid supporter of the more practical dance wear August Bournoville was all for it! The new regulations were adopted by the Paris Opera before 1826, written by dance teacher Carlo Blasis, who was also inventive when it came to dancer practice clothing. A part of his ideal reads "The dress of dancers should always sit close to the shape, and fit perfectly well, that no part of the outline of the figure may be concealed; care being taken that the dress be not so tight as to confine or embarrass any of his movements or attitudes". The origin of tights took a journey of liberation with the interest of the dancer, the health of their bodies, and the function of dance. So why exactly are dance companies rethinking tights? What are the negatives?

If I were to have a conversation with most directors I would probably get an answer that involved "inclusivity" and "diversity". Which, if that is the greatest display of diversity and inclusion one can present, okay. But, pink shoes and tights aren't the problem. Tradition in this topic is not the problem. So will there be no more pink shoes and tights? Obviously that won't actually happen because I believe there will be some who prefer to stick to this tradition but if that were to happen what would be the point?

I have spoken about diversity quite a bit on this blog and I will shed light once again. All of the articles I have come across that speak on diversity in the form of tights all come from the perspective of brown and black dancer visibility. Again, I get it, but making a simple choice as an option for dancers isn't as revolutionary as it sounds. It should be just that, a choice. On the other hand if that is not an option in a certain company or organization it is not a nod to racism or a lack of diversity. The only reason companies are making the adjustment is largely in part to the huge shift that occurred during the 2020 rise of the BLM movement. This was never a huge conversation before.

When you are a part of an all black and brown company you will most likely see dancers wearing various shades of brown tights. It is a choice and following along with that puts an individual in uniform. However, when you are a part of an all white company as a black woman you really stick out on stage. That is what no one is saying. The truth of the matter is that an aesthetic is broken when the stage is full of pink tights and the eyes fall upon that one brown pair. Although I am grateful to have come across this revelation during my second season with Columbia City Ballet, I wish I would have known during my first. Brown tights do not have to be looked at as a badge of honor. The work should be served and in classical ballet there just isn't much wiggle room. It is my belief that the respect of the art form should go as far as even our garments. Recently I had a great conversation with one of my mentors. As I explained to her how I had this sudden desire to wear pink tights during work to my surprise she agreed. In that conversation I learned that the brown tight on brown bodies actually shortens the back line, going into the top of the femur, by two inches. Just as in fashion, dark color makes things smaller (shorter) and lighter colors makes things bigger (longer). Let's not condemn pink tights because they work. Surely you can support, affirm, uplift and celebrate darker-skinned dancers in grander ways than uplifting a tight color.

By the way, my mentor is a black woman.

See images below. All are of me or me with a partner, minus one photo.