Lady Jemima's Costume Corner - Undergarments

1. Bra and Bikini: Nude-colored bra and bikini underwear may be the easiest option if you don’t have a local dance store or access to online stores. The disadvantage of a bra/ bikini is that you may have a few unsightly underwear lines showing through your costume.

2. Leotard, Bodyskin, or Bodystocking: These dance-specific undergarments costs about the same (or less) than a new bra and undie. These undergarments are made from extremely sheer, mesh-like fabric and are meant to be worn under dancewear, helping to provide consistent coverage with few or no underwear lines. Undergarments terms can be confusing, as many people call them by different names. There are not correct or incorrect terms for each piece, but below is a guide of general undergarment terminology.

“Bodyliners” and “bodytights” are general terms for all dance undergarments other than bras and undies.
A “bodyskin” is a more specific term referring to leotard- or leotard-with-legs style garments. These garments may have either fabric or clear plastic straps.
A “bodystocking” typically refers to a skin that has arm coverage (whereas a bodyskin does not).

The following terms refer to the style of undergarments available:

Tank: a garment with cloth shoulder straps cut directly from the fabric.
Camisole: a garment with thin, sometimes adjustable spaghetti-straps added onto the garment after the top has been cut.
Unitard or Bodystocking: a garment that has both arms and legs, available in both scoop- and mock-neck.



Unitards that are made of nylon/lycra tend to be somewhat sheer are often see-through, especially areas left white. It is a good idea to purchase some sort of undergarment if you feel self-conscious, intend on going out in public, or have a heavier build that requires support. You want friends and strangers to admire your costume, not what is underneath!

1. Bra and Bikini: Nude-colored bra and bikini underwear may be the easiest option if you don’t have a local dance store or access to online stores. The disadvantage of a bra/ bikini is that you may have a few unsightly underwear lines showing through your costume. 2. Leotard, Bodyskin, or Bodystocking: These dance-specific undergarments costs about the same (or less) than a new bra and undie. These undergarments are made from extremely sheer, mesh-like fabric and are meant to be worn under dancewear, helping to provide consistent coverage with few or no underwear lines. Undergarments terms can be confusing, as many people call them by different names. There are not correct or incorrect terms for each piece, but below is a guide of general undergarment terminology. “Bodyliners” and “bodytights” are general terms for all dance undergarments other than bras and undies. A “bodyskin” is a more specific term referring to leotard- or leotard-with-legs style garments. These garments may have either fabric or clear plastic straps. A “bodystocking” typically refers to a skin that has arm coverage (whereas a bodyskin does not). The following terms refer to the style of undergarments available: Tank: a garment with cloth shoulder straps cut directly from the fabric. Camisole: a garment with thin, sometimes adjustable spaghetti-straps added onto the garment after the top has been cut. Unitard or Bodystocking: a garment that has both arms and legs, available in both scoop- and mock-neck.