Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by honeychile on April 11, 2010 at 3:08pm

How exciting to be asked to represent your town in this way! As I am older than you, I understand your dilemma all too well. I had a tie dye t-shirt custom stitched with a little logo of my silhouette hooping and the text "PraiseHooping" underneath because I often hoop to Christian praise music. That gives a real professional look to my whole outfit whether I pair it with jeans. flare-leg pans, or my favorite, a cotton broomstick skirt, which looks so beautiful and graceful when I turn, spin, or jump through the hoop. And at 55, that's the image I'm aiming for -- someone who is reasonably fit, intriguingly skilled, and surprisingly graceful. ::grin:: I designed my little logo in jpg format, had it digitized, bought the shirt and had it stitched on. You can do this even for just one shirt for about $20. And it's just the ticket for going anywhere to talk about hooping, too, -- whether you're trying to arrange classes at the local rec center or just talking to someone casually.

I just ran outside and took a photo of myself in one of my shirts so you can see what I mean. I hope you have a wonderful time at the town event! And what a good role model you are for your daughters! I hope they catch a vision while they watch their mother delight others at the event!

Permalink Reply by Robin Weiss on April 11, 2010 at 7:03pm

What a great suggestion. I have a logo for my business cards that I created that I can do that with. Thank you so much!

Permalink Reply by honeychile on April 11, 2010 at 11:52pm

There are many ways to get a simple image digitized (put into the proper format for machine embroidery) if you are contemplating a large volume order. But it's a little more challenging if you just want to dip your toe into the idea of a custom embroidered design. I have an online graphic arts business and produce custom pin-back buttons and products for metal fabrication made overseas (coins, tags). But I've never done anything with embroidery. I just wanted to try it, not make a major investment at this time. So after scouting around a little, I used http://paperpig.com/digitization.htm and highly recommend Emily. The price simply cannot be beat. A fellow at our local flea market has the expensie computerized embroidery equipment and charges a fee of $6 to stitch a 4"x4" image while I wait. He saved my design on his own system and now I can have hats, bags, patches, etc. made anytime I find (or make) some product that would lend itself for this purpose.

I'm eager to see videos and photos from your event! Be sure to post some!

Permalink Reply by Tink in Tokyo on April 16, 2010 at 1:39am

Leggings and yoga-style (or above knee length) skirt work well for me paired with a close-fitting (but not tight) knit top. Along with funky boots, I find this is a good hooping uniform. To add performance flair, sequins accessories are bold and beautiful - wristbands, choker neckband, headband, belt - and very easy to make from sequined elastic trim.

It depends on what your hoop performance is going to be. Who is your character? Are you promoting hooping as athletic, silly fun, sexy...these are all different outfits.

What music will you perform to? A costume that would look great with a reggae beat might look weird with lady gaga as your soundtrack and probably wouldn't work with show tunes. Bellydance, soca dance...all have different costumes. Even if you aren't fully dressed in a music-specific costume, a few key pieces or accessories can bring the mood across.

I'm sure you will have fun designing your outfit!

Permalink Reply by Cara Lee-Shuff on October 14, 2010 at 10:04pm

A flattering pair of knit pants or leggings that hit the right spot on your tummy - you'll know when you're trying stuff on. Be patient, it might take a bit to find that perfect pair - there are a lot of these on the web on festival clothing website or incorporating some yoga wear. If you know what colors work on your coloring that helps too - something cheery or daring, whatever! No, one doesn't have to show tummy if one doesn't want to - a flattering top that hits the top of the bottoms, that shows off one's best bits, and most of all, confidence! If you put something on, and it makes you feel GREAT, then that's your ticket! There are as many different ways of dressing as there are hoopers. Have some fun with makeup too - what kind of lighting will inform the makeup part. If it's at night, you can pump it up a bit - now's the time to indulge the fantasy that you don't get into in daily life. A daytime event, then a more natural approach.

Permalink Reply by Diane on November 13, 2011 at 11:00am

I have a tough girl skirt and love it. It is like the ones they wear in the Hoopnotica videos. They are expensive, but I found one on sale. www.skirtsports.com. You can also google tough girl skirt.