When the time comes to decide how to dress for a dance performance,doubts emerge: What should we wear? What fabrics will enhance the movement? How can we enhance our dance, without losing the flamenco essence? As experts in flamenco fashion, we are here to help you!
Although the dance is the protagonist, we cannot forget the importance of the costumes. A tool that helps us to complement the show, making it attractive and boosting its character.
The 4 fabrics with the most flamenco character.
1. Knitted fabric.
Let's not fool ourselves: when we dance we are looking for comfort. Feeling good inside this costume, realizing how our body expresses itself with freedom.
For this, there is nothing better than a knitted fabric: a stretchy, comfortable and beautiful fabric that stretches to one side only.
We discover some options in fabrics:
BASICO ALVEDRO. Ref.: 00646-0004. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Colour: Red.
BASICO ALVEDRO. Ref.: 00646-0413. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Colour: Ruby.
BASICO ALVEDRO. Ref.: 00646-0410. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Colour: Maroon.
TABLAO. Ref.: 01432/16-0901. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Polka dot print 0.70 cm.
TABLAO. Ref.: 01432/13-0009. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Flower and butterfly print.
TABLAO. Ref.: 01432/15-0901. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Polka dot print approx. 8.50 cm.
ORIA. Ref.: 03501/01-0207. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Polka dot print 1.50 cm.
ORIA. Ref.: 03501/06-0002. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. Floral print.
ORIA. Ref.: 03501/07-0219. Stretch knitted fabric. Silk knit. 3.50 cm polka dot print.
2. Crepe.
The crepe fabric is perfect for flamenco dancing,as it has a lot of drape.
This is a durable fabric, quite light, matte and rough to the touch, with a wide variety of prints. This type of fabric will give our dresses drape as well as body, although it is not elastic.
Let's take a look at some fabric options:
TORA. Ref.: 00470-0307. Crepe (koshibo) fabric with a lot of drape. Colour: Blue.
TORA. Ref.: 00470-0336. Crepe (koshibo) fabric with a lot of drape. Colour: midnight blue.
TORA. Ref.: 00470-0328. Crepe (koshibo) fabric with a lot of drape. Colour: Navy.
NATASHA. Ref.: 00774/49-0002. Very drapey crepe fabric. Floral print.
NATASHA. Ref.: 00774/53-0002. Very drapey crepe fabric. Flower and polka dot print. Flower print.
NATASHA. Ref.: 00774/43-0201. Very drapey crepe fabric. Flower and polka dot print. Flower print.
TOLOX. Ref.: 03502/04-1004. Very drapey crepe fabric. Polka dots of 5,00 cm.
TOLOX. Ref.: 03502/30-1004. Very drapey crepe fabric. Polka dots of 1.30 cm.
TOLOX. Ref.: 03502/21-1004. Very drapey crepe fabric. Polka dots of 0.70 cm.
3. Stretch Velvet.
Although it is not a traditional flamenco fabric, we can see that in recent times velvet has been gaining consistency for these garments. It is a bi-elastic fabric, elegant and with a lot of presence, which does not wrinkle.
Let's look at velvet options:
SLASTIC. Ref.: 00096-0004. Stretch velvet fabric. Soft and very adaptable. Colour: Red.
SLASTIC. Ref.: 00096-0410. Stretch velvet fabric. Soft and very adaptable. Colour: Garnet.
SLASTIC. Ref.: 00096-0008. Stretch velvet fabric. Soft and very adaptable. Colour: Brown.
VELVET MARTELE. Ref.: 00219-0505. Stretch velvet fabric. Shredded velvet. Colour: Mustard.
VELVET MARTELE. Ref.: 00219-0507. Stretch velvet fabric. Shredded velvet. Colour: Gold.
VELVET MARTELE. Ref.: 00219-0006. Stretch velvet fabric. Shredded velvet. Colour: Orange.
4. Laces.
They are usually the perfect complement to close a suit and give it that special touch. Its transparencies allow us to play with sleeves, shoulders and backs, either to expose the skin or to decorate a suit.
However, we must make sure that it is an elastic fabric. This way the fabric will adapt to our body, following every movement before returning to its natural shape.
In Flamentex we have several proposals, such as for example:
BLONDA SIXTER. Ref.: 03499-0101. Elastic lace fabric. Colour: Ecru.
BLONDA SIXTER. Ref.: 03499-0004. Elastic lace fabric. Colour: Red.
BLONDA SIXTER. Ref.: 03499-0410. Elastic lace fabric. Colour: Garnet.
DUNYA. Ref.: 02053-0302. Elastic lace fabric. Colour: Turquoise.
DUNYA. Ref.: 02053-0307. Elastic lace fabric. Colour: Blue.
DUNYA. Ref.: 02053-0002. Elastic lace fabric. Colour: Black.
Extra fabrics: also very flamenco.
Although we have just mentioned the four most used types of fabrics, there is a wide variety of fabrics to complement our suit, such as lycra or stretch fabrics.
The former are ideal for the body, resistant and opaque, able to offer freedom of movement and comfort.
Meanwhile, Stretch is the opposite: a tough but very resistant fabric, ideal for tailoring tailed gowns.
5. Elastic tulle
They are responsible for creating those impressive backs and sleeves. Their transparency allows us to play with visual effects while their elasticity leaves the dance movements free.
A few ideas:
VEREDA. Ref.: 01874-0004. Plumeti tulle fabric. Colour: Red.
MESHDANCE. Ref.: 02633-0410. Tulle with elastane. Colour: Garnet.
TUL FLOC MESHDANCE. Ref.: 03205/02-0004. Tulle flocked with 2 mm elastane. Colour: Red.
6. Chiffon
As we can see in Sara Baras or María Pagés, they are ideal for combining, as well as for giving flight and movement.
We look at some examples in textiles:
DRAVA. Ref.: 00859-0705. Fine chiffon fabric. Colour: Pistachio.
DRAVA. Ref.: 00859-0752. Fine chiffon fabric. Colour: Apple green.
DRAVA. Ref.: 00859-0752. Fine chiffon fabric. Colour: dark green.
And you, which fabric do you prefer for dancing? Do you know any of the ones we have presented? We encourage you to share with us all your doubts and creations.
If you want more information or have any doubts, our experts will advise you on everything you need! We are waiting for you in our shop in Seville or through our website.
Cover image: Photo by Amy Gatenby on Unsplash