A Visual History Of The Colts Cheerleaders Uniform

It’s the 35th anniversary of the Colts Cheerleaders and this weekend the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders wore some amazing throw back uniforms.  Until the Colts post a game day gallery from week 1, we will have to satisfy our curiosity with a look back at the Colts Cheerleaders uniform of the past.  Click here to view the Colts Cheerleaders historical uniform gallery.

Kudos to the Indianapolis Colts for publishing this retrospective on the history of the Colts Cheerleaders uniform.  If you are as old as I am, you enjoy these trips down memory lane to see how far things have evolved over the years.

12 Audition Outfit Tips From Satin Stitches

Editor’s note: Its audition season and Satin Stitches, a long time sponsor of UltimateCheerleaders.com, has published an article regarding selecting the perfect audition outfit for your body shape.  They have graciously agreed to let us share their information with our readers.


12 Audition Outfit Tips

Posted by Deborah Nelson

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder…including with your Try-Out or Audition outfit (for you, and your judges). With audition judges, you will receive different opinions as to how well you present yourself.

The NUMBER ONE RULE would be to be unique, and not wear something others are wearing, so consider custom-designed or customized solo cheerleading/dance costumes from Satin Stitches! www.shop.satinstitches.com to check out our many options! Once we receive your order, we generally cut, sew, embellish and ship your custom-created outfit within a week or two.

Satin Stitches will have a booth at the P-R-O Convention in Atlanta in June. If you will be in attendance, stop by and pick up a flyer with a discount coupon for ordering your outfit from our Web Store!

Here are some basics to consider, helping you to decide what is the best design for YOUR ‘perfect’ audition outfit! 

KEEP THESE 12 TIPS IN MIND:

  1. Check photos of past try-out events to see if what you have in mind will ‘fit in’, or ‘stand out’ in a bad way.
  2. Don’t let your outfit overpower you. You want to be noticed for YOU, not your outfit. You want to hear the compliment ‘You look nice in your costume’ rather than ‘I like your costume’.
  3. Always choose a color that is flattering for you. If you are old enough to try-out for a professional dance or cheer team, you are old enough to know what colors look great on you.
  4. You should also be aware of your body enough to realize what your best features are: emphasize your best features.
  5. Choose a costume style that reflects your personality. If you are a ‘girly-girl’, ruffles and/or lots of glitz should be a must. If you prefer bright, tailored clothing, your audition costume could feature tailored details. Your outfit should really showcase your style.
  6. Your costume should have great visual ‘flow’. Your audience should zero in on your face (with your fabulous makeup and great hair) and upper bodice, and then gently follow down your body. Secondary focal points should accent your best features.
  7. Watch out for design features that might be covered up by your hair. Paying for design features that aren’t seen, makes no sense.
  8. Remember overall design ‘rules’: less is more, 1/3 to 2/3 proportion, diagonal lines are always more flattering than horizontal lines, and combine colors of equal intensity. Can you ever have too much glitz? (Yes, you can, so edit your rhinestone embellishment!)
  9. You will be giving a 3-dimensional performance, so your costume should look great from all views, with the most sparkle on the front.
  10. Make sure your costume is comfortable and fits well, allowing you to move anyway you wish – you don’t want it restrictive. You also don’t want to spend any time worrying if something will ‘ride up’ or shift out of place.
  11. Your costume should not allow your undergarments to show. This depends on good design, quality of construction and the right choice of undergarments. You don’t want errant straps, panty lines or bust pads peeking out. By the same token, underwear SHOULD be worn to suppress jiggling, ‘camel toe’ and an immodest view of your derriere. A proper panty and supportive bra will do wonders for these ‘no-no’s’.
  12. Make sure your costume is clean and wrinkle-free. You will be sweating, so if you start out clean and fresh, your costume will hold up better than if it starts out limp and dingy.

Body Shapes and Audition Styles Tips From Satin Stitches

Editor’s note: Its audition season and Satin Stitches, a long time sponsor of UltimateCheerleaders.com, has published an article regarding selecting the perfect audition outfit for your body shape.  They have graciously agreed to let us share their information with our readers.

Body Shapes and Audition Styles

Posted by Deborah Nelson

With audition and pro apparel, as with any type of clothing, you want to consider what your best features are. No matter if you have a ‘perfect figure’ in someone else’s eyes, you may feel like you could look better ‘only if….’ you could slim down your hips, or had a skinnier waist or had longer legs or a bigger bust line etc. etc.

In preparing for your upcoming audition, you have been following an intense exercise workout regiment, you have been eating right, you have been getting plenty of sleep, you have been trying to stay stress free, you have been taking good care of your skin, hair, and nails and so on and so forth.

Your body is as ready as it will ever be. But still, you may look in the mirror and still see your body ‘flaws’. What you now need is the perfect audition outfit to maximize your best features. What should you look for?

As a fashion/costume designer, I have spent decades creating flattering costumes by creating focal points on costumes, to draw you audience’s eye to your best features. Your best feature SHOULD be your excited and happy face. The most flattering costumes will have upper bodice features to draw attention to your face.

Beyond this all-important focal point, secondary focal points can be employed. If you have a fabulous bust line, by all means emphasize your bust line with a bust line flattering bra-top. But don’t wear a too-low cut top that will make your audience uncomfortable. Stay tasteful. Yes, you want to look sexy. But you don’t want to cross the line into the risqué realm.

If you have a smaller bust line, then interesting bust line details such as multi-color banding, ruching and rhinestoning can add appeal.

Fit is always the most important aspect of any garment. A plain, well-fitting garment will look better than an ill-fitting designer garment.

The current trend of boy-cut legs on shorts and leotards does not flatter a short leg. The higher cut the leg line of a brief or short – the longer your leg will appear. Diagonal lines anywhere on your outfit is generally more flattering than horizontal lines. Only very slim hips can look great in shorts or skirts with all horizontal lines. That’s why the ‘V’-waistband is always a good choice.

Also, watch where the leg line hits across your derriere. Again, keep it modest, yet sexy. Different cuts of shorts and briefs can enhance or distract from your look.

Know what your measurements are – your current measurements…not what you would like to be or what they used to be. All companies provide suggested measurements for the best fit for their outfits. At Satin Stitches we have measurement charts and also a chart to show how to take your measurements. We even have a downloadable video to give you even more information on correctly taking your measurements. You want to order your correct size: you don’t want a baggy, loose short or a skirt that is too tight across your hips.

You should be able to order your audition tops and bottoms in different sizes, if needed. If you are pear-shaped, you can order a smaller top and a larger bottom and apple-shaped dancers can order a larger top and a smaller bottom.

At Satin Stitches, we also offer 3 options for bra-cup sizes. Our standard cup size will accommodate a B/C cup. Our Full cup size will accommodate a D/DD cup and our Fuller cup size will accommodate larger than a DD cup size.

Our slim-fitting skirts will work best on hips that are the measurement listed on our charts or slightly smaller. Our skirts with more hemline fullness will accommodate larger hips. Our shorts will stretch at the leg line to accommodate larger hips and/or thighs because there is no restrictive elastic. Our basic V-short and Low V-waist briefs fit a slim to regular hip line the best.

Do you have fabulous shoulders? – Then emphasize your shoulders with a halter cut bra-top or our off-the-shoulder sleeved tops – these focal points will draw your attention to your shoulders.

Sponsor Spotlight – The Line Up

Editor’s note: Audition season is right around the corner and if you are a dancer who is planning on trying out this year, you may want to consider an audition outfit by one of our longtime sponsors, The Line Up.

The Line Up is your partner behind the scenes, making your vision a reality. Our passion is creative performance apparel driven by personalized customer attention.

Your Imagination, Our Creation

The Line Up got its start 25 years ago, designing fitness apparel during the aerobics craze of the 90’s. What began as a side project has evolved into a team of 30+ talented individuals, working together to offer innovative team fashions.

Our customers are studio, high school, and collegiate dance teams, NFL and NBA cheerleaders, synchronized skaters, athletes and artistic performers from around the world. We are a small crew providing big possibilities.

Your go-to resource for coaches and performers

You need someone that shares your passion and cares as much as you do. Our team knows what it takes to perform consistently at high levels, as many of us have been coaches, performers and even customers. We are your partners behind the scenes, ensuring your details are in order throughout the costume process. At The Line Up, we sweat the details so you can shine on the floor!

Apparel at the intersection of performance and style

What you wear contributes to the quality of your performance. If you look great, you will perform great! And that’s why we strive to create performance apparel that looks amazing while allowing you to feel comfortable and confident. Design a memory that will last a lifetime and a look that turns heads!

Creative design team, innovative manufacturing technology

We’re continually investing in top-notch equipment and extraordinary talent to bring your ideas to life. Everyone on The Line Up’s team, our designers, pattern makers, account managers, and production staff work under one roof, making collaboration and innovation seamless. We know you want to be original with your look and style. If you can imagine it, we can create it!

Shop Pro Tryout Apparel

Made In The USA

When ‘Made in America’ became virtually extinct in our industry, we held strong to our core values. To this day, 100% of the products we produce are made in our Minnesota facilities. Quality is the cornerstone of our work, and each product reflects our commitment to excellence – the same excellence you bring forward in every performance.

 

Sponsor Spotlight: Dallaswear Auditions 2018 Line

Editor’s note: Its audition season and Dallaswear, a long time sponsor of UltimateCheerleaders.com, has announced their Dallaswear Auditions 2018 Line that will go live on their web site tomorrow at 12:00 pm CST.  Dallaswear has provided us with a sneak preview video of their new line of audition wear.

Dallaswear Auditions 2018 line is better than ever!  The new styles for 2018 include gradient ombre sequin, cute and sexy strappy styles, unique marble prints and more. This year the signature Dallaswear Superbling™ features gradient rhinestone designs that are more dazzling than ever.  All of the existing styles have been updated for improved fit and quality. Dallaswear is also introducing an amazing new product called the Femme Flannel™! The Femme Flannel™ gives the dancer the look of a cute flannel tied around the waist, but without all the bulk.  The Femme Flannel™, a Dallaswear exclusive, is available in an assortment of plaid colors with the option of including a name or initials!  

For over 20 years, Dallaswear has been proudly made in the USA and brings the hottest styles to auditions and Pro Teams all over the world. Dallaswear designs uniforms for the Laker Girls, 49ers Goldrush Cheerleaders, Golden State Warriors Dance Team, Portland Trailblazers Dancers, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Chicago Bulls Dancers, Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, Kings Dancers and many, many more. With over 550,000 color, style and rhinestone combinations, Dallaswear is the leader in stunning audition wear.  You can always spot a “Dallaswear Girl”… she’s the one who makes the team!

No Stress Audition Tips From The Line Up

Editor’s note: Its audition season and The Line Up, a long time sponsor of UltimateCheerleaders.com, has published a series of no stress audition tips.  They have graciously agreed to let us share their information with our readers.

Your No Stress Pro Cheer Audition Checklist 

Posted by Meagan on Jan 18, 2018

It’s officially audition season for pro cheer and dance teams! That means it’s time to get prepared – do you have your audition outfit, routine, and important dates organized in one place? We’ve compiled a a general timeline to follow before your audition, with a few tips and tricks to keep you on track and looking your best!  Our biggest tip: plan at least 3-6 months in advance of your tryout date to be prepared!  Read on to find out more.

6 Months to 1 Year Out: Plan Your Year 

After figuring out your team’s official audition times, it’s time to sit down and plan out your year. Keep track of important dates, set goals, and get organized so you feel confident and ready going into your audition! 

  • Figure out your “in hand date” for your audition outfit (we recommend one month pre-audition!) – this is when you’ll need to receive your outfit in order to get it in time to prepare for the big day.  So plan 2-8 weeks backwards from that for your order date!
  • Research if there are any prep classes, deadlines, clinics, and information sessions that you can attend – and try to make it to all of them! These will help you get to know the expectations of the team and get a feel for the audition process. 
  • Set fitness goals throughout the year to easily manage if you are staying on track. Establish your beauty routine at this time as well – spray tan, skin care, and hair. Try out different hair and makeup combinations to see what looks best on you!
  • Budget your expenses for travel, time off from work if necessary, and of course, your audition outfit.

4-6 Months Out: Plan Your Audition Outfit and Schedule a Photoshoot

Its time to start planning your pro cheer audition outfit! Here are a few tips to get started:

  • Research past pro cheer auditions to get a feel for what people usually wear and know the rules for audition apparel. To look the part, you won’t be able copy a team’s cheer uniform exactly because of copyright concerns, but you can create a similar look and feel with a different style.  Also, many teams require that your outfit be certain colors – usually the team’s colors.  
  • Plan ahead for your photoshoot. Most teams will require a headshot or photo composite, (shown below) so make sure to order your audition outfit early if you want it for these photos.
  • Find out if you need more than one audition outfit. For NBA and NFL dance teams, there are multiple rounds of auditions and many dancers like to wear different looks for each. Swap outfits with friends, or if your budget allows, buy multiple try out outfits for a variety of looks. Save your special outfit for semi-finals and finals, though!  
  • Request fabric swatches before you order. If your audition outfit will be made-to-order and non-returnable, ordering a fabric swatch is the perfect way to make sure you’re choosing the right fabrics and colors before making a bigger investment.  
  • Keep your body type in mind to ensure the best fit possible, and also choose a style that represents your personality. For example, if you need to wear an bra underneath your top for extra support, make sure the top you order has a bra band wide enough to hide your undergarments.  For more outfit tips, check out our blog “15 Things to Consider for Your Pro Cheer Try Out Outfit” 
  • Think about the outfit’s balance. “You want to think about the WHOLE outfit. Plan your outfit so that the top matches the bottom,” explained veteran Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader Taylor.  Plain black shorts are always an easy option, but if you go the extra mile to match the colors of your top to your bottom, you’ll have a more polished and put-together look!
  • Think about what accessories you’ll need with your outfit– tights, earrings, undergarments, shoes, etc.! Some dance apparel companies may offer a try out package– decide beforehand what you need and what you don’t. 

2-4 Months Out: Order Your Audition Apparel

In addition to nailing down your routine, working on your fitness, and attending any prep classes, find time to order your audition outfit! Here are some of our recommendations for ordering:

  • Research options for apparel companies and their lead times. If you’re swapping out colors and fabrics, that means your audition outfit is being made for you and you won’t be able to try it on first. This also means it will take longer for you to receive it as it’s being specially created for you! Shipping times may vary depending on the company and the time of year, but made-to-order styles can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks. Some great companies for try out apparel are:
  • Order early to save money. Ordering your pro cheer audition outfit is more expensive the longer you wait, because you’ll have to pay for expedited shipping and rush fees. 2 day expedited shipping can add $40-$60, and overnight shipping and rush fees can cost you an extra $60-$150. 
  • Give yourself extra order time for embellishments like rhinestones, because this may add to the lead time of your audition outfit. If you choose to rhinestone your audition outfit yourself, plan extra time for that, too, so you aren’t stoning at the last minute! 
Rhinestones add gorgeous sparkle on the 424 VB Top, and on the Layla Dance Top.

1 Month Out: Practice & Rehearsal in Your NEW Audition Outfit! 

It’s almost audition time! It’s time to perfect your routine, make any last minute beauty routine adjustments, and of course – practice!  

  • Check in on the fitness goals you set at the beginning of the year and get your final beauty routine down!
  • Find a nutrition routine that works best for you – “You need to make sure you’re fueling your body appropriately to make it through a long day of auditions!” Kayla from the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders explained. For some examples on the best ways to fuel your body, check out our blog The Best Pre and Post Competition Nutrition for Dancers.
  • Practice in your audition outfit! The first time wearing your outfit should not be on audition day! Make sure to move in it to ensure you feel confident and comfortable, and check that there is no unsightly pulling or bunching.
  • Do a dress rehearsal! Check that your accessories and make up look right with your outfit and ensure that your whole outfit works for a put together, cohesive look. Perform in front of friends and family in your outfit and get any feedback! 
  • Have FUN! Remember, you’re auditioning for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and for your love of dance! So enjoy the experience and try not to stress over the small stuff.  
Audition Photos via Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders

Pro cheer and dance team auditions vary from one team to another, so it’s important to do your research beforehand! Staying on top of important dates and sticking to your audition check list will save you time, stress, and money. Most importantly, getting organized and feeling prepared will make you feel CONFIDENT going into your audition!  And who couldn’t use a little extra confidence? 


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