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How NOT to get overwhelmed with costume choices this season

February 18, 2016


How NOT to get overwhelmed with costume choices this season

With many costume companies and literally thousands of costumes to choose from, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the task of ordering costumes each season.

Every teacher gives you their ideas and each parent wants a specific color or look for their child - there are so many ways to go insane when costume season rolls around!

Christina Wiginton, co-owner of CK DanceWorks in Dallas, Georgia has ordered more costumes than you can imagine in her 11 years of owning a studio, and she shares your pain!

“Picking out costumes can sometimes be a very daunting task,” she says. “We have a relatively large studio, about 650 kids with 15 staff members. That amounts to a lot of different costumes and a lot of different people you want to make happy; teachers, parents and dancers!”

Here are a few tips for studio owners and teachers to help you keep your cool and make costume choices with clarity.

#1. Narrow down your options.

Give your teachers or yourself a maximum of 4 or 5 costume catalogs to look at only. Choose only the companies with costume looks that you like and who you know are good to work with. This limits the amount of choices to make and the time needed to flip through catalog after catalog.

#2. Make large orders with less companies.

Wiginton likes to take advantage of bulk order discounts when ordering costumes for CK DanceWorks.

“As a business we want to try and take advantage of all costume discounts that we can get. The more you order from a costume company, the greater discount you receive, meaning you can keep prices lower for your dance parents,” she explains.

This also means less time making multiple phone or online orders with many different people.

#3. Create a binder of costume choices, and divide by costume company.

This makes life easier when ordering. Each teacher can check the binder to make sure their costume choices are included so no costumes are missed, and then when ordering, you only have to look at one section of the binder when talking to each costume company. This makes for quicker, easier ordering without confusion.

#4. Make lists and check them twice.

Before making the call to the designated costume company, check your numbers and facts. Is every child and every dance accounted for? Also, check to see if your teachers wanted accessories with their costume choices. Do they want gloves, socks, or stripped tights? Make sure those accessories are listed with each costume before you start your order.

#5. Be honest.

If you think a certain costume choice is not ideal for a specific age group or class due to body types, modesty or style, tell the teacher and make the executive decision to change paths straight away. Then give them similar, but better, options that you know parents will be happier with.

#6. Teachers and owners - go to the UDMA costume show, and check out costumes in person.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve picked out a costume, saw and felt it in person, and decided to go in a different direction. The fabric wasn’t quite heavy enough, or the fit wasn’t what I was looking for. Or, I have seen a costume that didn’t ‘wow’ me in a catalog that was exactly what I wanted in real life. It’s always good to see how the costumes look and move in person, and UDMA provides that opportunity.

#7. Give the costume companies that want your business, your business year after year.

Consistency is key. If you have a rough time getting costume orders in on time, and correctly, it’s probably best to move on and try a different costume company the next time. Great customer service, along with great quality costumes each year will calm your recital nerves.

#8. Create a calendar.

Schedule when teachers have to have their costume information sheets filled out and turned in, schedule when you need to call companies to receive your costumes on time, and schedule when to send costumes home with students. Also, let all of this scheduling information be available for all teachers and staff to keep everyone on the same page.

#9. Order early.

“We start the whole process relatively early and I always make it a goal to have our costumes ordered at the end of Thanksgiving,” says Wiginton. “That way we get them in plenty of time to make any necessary alterations or changes that need to be done.”

#10. If needed, ask for help.

Don’t try to be a hero and do everything all on your own if you are starting to feel overwhelmed. Ask for a capable parent volunteer, or offer to pay one of your teachers an office rate for their time helping you. It’s always nice to have another person to bounce ideas off and help carry the load and responsibility.

Guest Contributor: Allison Gupton