Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, which means studio parties, costume classes and a full night of trick-or-treating or partying. If you dance, you already own the hardest part of a costume. A leotard and tights give you a fitted base you can move in, layer over and accessorize in minutes.
Here are seven costume ideas built from dancewear, plus a few tips for keeping them comfortable on the dance floor and on cold sidewalks.
Why dancewear makes a great costume base
Dancewear is made to stretch, breathe and stay put while you move. That makes it a better foundation than most packaged costumes, which tend to be stiff, loose or easy to trip on. A solid-colour leotard works like a blank canvas: add a tutu, a headband or some face paint and you’re nearly done.
It also stretches your budget. Most of these ideas use pieces you’ll keep wearing to class long after October 31.
7 Halloween costume ideas for dancers
1. Black cat
A black leotard, black tights, and ballet slippers or jazz shoes. Add a headband with cat ears and draw whiskers on with eyeliner. For a tail, pin a strip of black fabric or a fuzzy boa to the back of the leotard.
2. Fairy or Sugar Plum Fairy
Pair a white or pastel leotard with a tulle tutu or skirt, then add wings and a sparkly hair accessory. Lilac, pink and light blue all work well. Keep the wings small if you’ll be dancing so they don’t catch on partners or the barre.
3. Swan
A white or black leotard with a matching tutu, pink or white tights, and a feathered hair piece. Go white for Odette or black for Odile. It’s a natural pick for ballet students already rehearsing for winter shows.
4. 1980s fitness instructor
A bright leotard over shiny tights, leg warmers, a sweatband and a high side ponytail with a scrunchie. Add dance sneakers and you’re set. It’s warm, comfortable and easy to pull together from your dance bag.
5. Skeleton
Start with a black leotard and black tights. Use white fabric paint or iron-on felt to add ribs, a spine and leg bones to an older leotard you don’t mind customizing. Finish with a skeleton face in black and white makeup.
6. Ladybug or bumblebee
A good pick for younger dancers. Use a red leotard with black felt dots for a ladybug, or a yellow leotard with black stripes for a bee. Add black tights and an antenna headband. For more ideas for little ones, see our dance outfits checklist for ages 3–6.
7. Mime
A black-and-white striped top over a black leotard, black tights or leggings, white face makeup and a beret. It’s a fun option for jazz and contemporary dancers who want to perform a short bit at a studio party.
Tips for costumes you can actually dance in
- Do a test run. Try a few turns, jumps and floor moves before the party to make sure nothing slides, rips or blocks your view.
- Secure accessories. Use bobby pins and hair elastics to keep ears, antennae and headpieces in place through a routine.
- Watch the hemlines. Skip long capes, trailing skirts and loose ribbons that can catch underfoot during turns.
- Keep studio shoes clean. If you wear ballet or jazz shoes outside, bring a second pair for the studio floor. Our dance shoe care guide covers cleaning.
- Set your makeup. Dust face paint with powder so it doesn’t transfer onto partners or costumes.
- Layer for the weather. Late October can be cold. Warm-ups, knit shorts and leg warmers go over a costume easily and come off once you’re inside.
Halloween costume FAQ for dancers
Can I wear my recital costume for Halloween?
Check with your studio first. Many recital costumes are rented or need to stay in show condition, and rain, makeup and sidewalk grime can damage sequins and fabric.
What should I wear under a costume to stay warm?
A long-sleeve leotard, footed tights and a set of warm-ups. These layers add warmth without bulk and still let you move.
What’s the easiest last-minute dance costume?
A black cat. If you already have a black leotard and tights, cat ears and eyeliner whiskers take about ten minutes.
Find costume basics at Harlequin The Dance Store
Leotards, tights, tutus, warm-ups, hair accessories and makeup are all available at Harlequin The Dance Store, 375 Hargrave St in Winnipeg, and online at thedancestore.ca with free shipping Canada-wide for orders $150+. Our staff can help you find the right size and colour for any of these costumes before Saturday.
