Showtime Dancewear
The Dance Comp Packing Guide
✦ The Ultimate Guide ✦
What to Pack for a
Dance Comp Weekend
Your checklist for costumes, gear & everything in between
Competition weekend has arrived and if you've ever scrambled backstage searching for a missing hair pin or realised you've left your tap shoes at home, you'll know that packing smart is half the battle. This is your go-to checklist, built around everything available at Showtime Dancewear, so you can walk into that green room cool, calm, and completely ready to shine.
Tick each item off as you go your progress bar at the top tracks how comp-ready you really are. Let's get packing! 💃
01
On Stage
Costumes & Performance Wear
Competition Costume(s)
Pack one for every number — hang them in garment bags and pack in order of performance. Check for loose sequins or open seams before you leave.
Showtime Costumes Range
Backup Leotard
An emergency base layer for any last-minute costume drama. A classic black leotard saves the day every time.
Energetiks · Bloch · Capezio
Tights — Multiple Pairs
Bring at least two pairs per costume (footed, convertible, or footless depending on your style). Snags happen — always be prepared.
Fiesta Legwear · Bloch · Capezio
Unitard or Fishnet Tights
For jazz, tap, or contemporary numbers that call for a sleek, seamless look under costumes.
Fiesta Legwear · Showtime Dancewear
Dance Underwear / Briefs
Seamless, low-profile dance underwear that stays hidden under any costume. A competition bag essential.
Showtime Dancewear · Bloch
Pro Tip
Label every costume piece, bag, and accessory with your dancer's name. Backstage areas get hectic — labels are a lifesaver when things get mixed up between dressing rooms.
02
Footwear
Dance Shoes for Every Style
Ballet Shoes
Canvas or leather — bring your performance pair and a broken-in backup. Check the elastic and drawstrings before leaving home.
Bloch · Capezio · Energetiks
Pointe Shoes + Accessories
Pack your pre-sewn performance pointe shoes, plus toe pads, spacers, and ribbon/elastic spares. A dry pointe shoe bag stops moisture damage.
Gaynor Minden · Bloch · Capezio
Tap Shoes
Check your taps are tightened and screws are secure before comp day. Bring a small screwdriver just in case.
Bloch · Capezio · Studio 7
Jazz Shoes
Slip-on or lace-up — make sure they're clean and scuff-free. Jazz sneakers for hip-hop styles too.
Bloch · Capezio · Studio 7
Contemporary / Lyrical Half-Shoes
Pirouette turns and lyrical floorwork call for the right footwear. Pack in a mesh bag to keep clean.
Bloch · Capezio · Studio 7
Character Shoes
For musical theatre and character performances. Polish them the night before and pack in a dust bag.
Bloch · Capezio
Shoe Accessories Kit
Include spare elastic, ribbon, needle & thread, a small screwdriver, Jet Glue or shoe glue, and insoles. This little kit can save a performance.
Showtime Dancewear · Bloch Accessories
Pro Tip
Store each pair of shoes in its own cloth or mesh bag inside your dance bag. It keeps them scuff-free and means you're not rummaging through a pile of shoes backstage when time is tight.
03
Glam Time
Hair, Beauty & Stage Makeup
Hair Pins, Bobby Pins & Clips
Bring triple the amount you think you'll need — they vanish backstage. Match colour to your dancer's hair.
KySienn Accessories · Slick Hair Company
Hair Ties & Elastics
Multiple sizes — thin for buns and thick for ponytails. Snag-free styles are gentler on delicate hair.
KySienn Accessories
Hair Net(s)
For buns, chignons, and sleek updos. Match to hair colour — invisible nets = polished performance.
KySienn Accessories · Slick Hair Company
Slick Hair Gel & Edge Control
The secret to a competition-ready bun that actually stays put under stage lights and through every pirouette.
Slick Hair Company
Hairspray (Travel Size)
A light-hold mist for flyaways, a strong-hold spray for locks that must not move. Pack both if space allows.
Slick Hair Company
Stage Makeup Kit
Foundation, blush, eyeshadow, liner, mascara, setting spray, and lip colour. Stage lights wash out everything — go bolder than you think.
Showtime Dancewear Cosmetics Range
LipSense Long-Lasting Lip Colour
A stage makeup staple — transfer-proof, smudge-proof lip colour that lasts through a full competition day without reapplication.
LipSense
Face Mask / Skin Prep
Keep skin hydrated and fresh the night before. Competition weekends are long — good skincare is self-care.
Showtime Dancewear Skincare
Jewellery & Accessories
Pack any rhinestone earrings, necklaces, or hair jewels for each routine. Keep in labelled zip-lock bags per costume.
Showtime Dancewear Jewellery
Pro Tip
Do a full hair and makeup run-through at home before comp day. You'll discover what products you're missing and how long the process actually takes — no surprises on the big morning.
04
Prep & Warm-Up
Rehearsal Wear & Warm-Ups
Warm-Up Jacket or Hoodie
Keep muscles warm between performances. A zip-up over a costume is quicker than pulling a hoodie on and off.
Energetiks · Bloch · Capezio
Leg Warmers
A dancer's best friend for keeping calves and ankles warm during long waits. Pull them over tights without messing up your costume.
Energetiks · Bloch
Rehearsal Leotard & Shorts
A comfortable everyday rehearsal set for warm-up sessions and waiting around. Keep it separate from your performance wear.
Energetiks · Claudia Dean · Sylvia P
Crop Top & Leggings
Comfortable layers for travel, warm-up and backstage hanging. Match to studio colours or keep it classic black.
Energetiks · Mad Ally · Slick Dancewear
Training Accessories
Resistance bands, stretch straps, and any physio tools that are part of your pre-performance routine.
Showtime Dancewear Training Accessories
05
Carry It All
Bags & Organisation
Dream Duffel Dance Bag
The ultimate competition dance bag — designed with dedicated compartments for shoes, costumes, makeup, and accessories. A total game-changer for staying organised backstage.
Dream Duffel
Garment Bag for Costumes
Keep costumes wrinkle-free and protected during travel. Hang them in order of performance so you're never scrambling.
Showtime Dancewear Bags
Shoe Bags
Individual mesh or cloth bags for each pair of shoes. Keeps them clean and stops hard-soled shoes from scuffing costumes.
Showtime Dancewear Bags
Small Makeup/Accessories Pouch
A zip pouch for quick-access touch-up items — lip colour, powder, pins, and safety pins. Keep it at the top of your bag.
Showtime Dancewear
Pro Tip
The Dream Duffel range from Showtime Dancewear is designed specifically for dance competitions — with rolling racks, multiple compartments and removable pouches. If you do competitions regularly, it's the best investment you'll make.
06
Just In Case
Emergency & Repair Kit
Needle, Thread & Safety Pins
Match thread to your costume colours. A snapped strap or falling hem is fixable in minutes if you're prepared.
Showtime Dancewear Accessories
Fashion Tape / Double-Sided Tape
Keep costumes in place and stop straps from slipping mid-performance. Absolute backstage essential.
Showtime Dancewear
Spare Rhinestones & Gems
Costumes shed gems under stage lighting — have extras and a dab of gem glue or clear nail polish for quick fixes.
Showtime Dancewear
Blister Plasters & Foot Tape
New shoes and long days create blisters. Gel plasters and pre-wrap tape can make the difference between finishing or sitting out.
Showtime Dancewear · Bloch Accessories
Pointe Shoe Accessories
Toe pads, ouch pouches, spacers, and bunion covers — have a full set ready to go for the weekend.
Gaynor Minden · Bloch · Capezio
Spare Tights (Extra Pair)
Beyond the pairs already packed — keep a loose extra in the emergency pouch. Tights snag at the worst possible moment.
Fiesta Legwear · Bloch
0 comments