From Catalog to Couture: How I Use the Elements Collection as a Choreographer

By Haylie James

When it comes to costuming dancers, there’s nothing quite like finding that perfect balance between style, versatility, and creativity. Over the years, I’ve experimented with everything from fully custom costumes to catalog options, and I’ve discovered that one of the best-kept secrets in elevating a group’s look is knowing how to use pieces in fresh, unexpected ways.

The Elements Collection is one of those rare finds that blends the convenience of catalog ordering with the creative potential of couture. With its wide range of saturated colors, patterns, and styles—available in sizes from child 4 to adult XL—it’s like having a costume design studio at your fingertips. Whether I’m costuming recreational groups, competitive teams, or production numbers, these pieces provide a canvas that’s endlessly adaptable.

Here are four ways I’ll be using the Elements Collection this year to bring my choreography and vision to life.

 

1. Pop of Colour: Same Silhouette, Different Hues

As a choreographer, I love playing with visual balance on stage. Sometimes the cleanest look is having every dancer in the same silhouette—say, a crop top and Mesh Palazzo Pants—but in a range of bold, saturated colors.

The Elements Collection shines here. Imagine a group number where every dancer is in the same style, but each gets their own signature shade—berry, orchid, peacock, or forest. The effect is stunning: uniformity in shape but variety in tone.

This approach allows me to highlight the individuality of each dancer while still maintaining the cohesion that judges and audiences love. It’s especially effective in contemporary or lyrical numbers where the emotion of the piece is amplified by visual contrast. A stage filled with the same movement but different bursts of color feels both intentional and dynamic.

And the best part? Dancers love it. They feel like they’re part of the group, but their unique color gives them a sense of ownership in the performance.

 

2. A Style for Everybody: Same Colour, Different Silhouettes

Every choreographer knows the challenge of costuming groups that include dancers of different body types and comfort levels. What looks fabulous on one dancer may not be the most flattering or confidence-boosting choice for another. That’s why I love the versatility in the Elements Collection.

The collection includes a wide variety of tops, leotards, shorts, skirts, and pants. This makes it easy to pick one color or pattern as the unifying theme while allowing each dancer to choose the silhouette that makes them feel their best.

For example, one dancer might feel powerful in a Strappy Crop Top, while another prefers the coverage of the Cropped Racer Back Tank or the Mesh Dress Shirt option. Because the fabrics, colors, and finishes are consistent, the group still looks polished and put together—without forcing everyone into the exact same cut.

The impact is twofold:

1. Visual Interest – The stage look has dimension, with different silhouettes catching the light and moving uniquely.
   

2. Dancer Confidence – When a dancer feels good in their costume, it shows in their performance. Energy, posture, and commitment all elevate when confidence is high.
   

This strategy also keeps the group from looking too cookie-cutter. Instead, you get a customized, elevated look that celebrates individuality while maintaining unity.

 

3. Building Themes: Costumes That Tell a Story

One of my favorite things about the Elements Collection is how easily it lends itself to theme-based choreography. With the right mix of colors and patterns, you can transform these pieces into costumes that echo characters, eras, or moods—without needing full-on custom design.

Take, for example, a Beetlejuice-inspired number. Pairing Groovy Pattern Pants and Top with a pop of Volt Green in a scrunchie, hairbow, or accessory creates an instantly recognizable vibe while still keeping the look sleek and dance-ready.

Or imagine a routine inspired by fire and earth. You could mix Crimson and Sandstone shades to match that theme. For something more futuristic, bold neon hues layered with sleek mesh skirts or leggings can bring a sci-fi edge.

The key is to think outside the box. Instead of viewing catalog pieces as limited, I treat them like building blocks. By mixing and matching across styles and shades, I can craft costumes that perfectly fit the narrative of my choreography.

 

4. Bases for Layering & Production Numbers

Another area where the Elements Collection excels is in creating bases for layering. Many of the pieces—whether it’s shorts, crop tops, or fitted leotards—are ideal as underlayers for more complex costume changes or production numbers.

Think about a large-scale jazz or musical theatre routine where quick changes are part of the drama. Dancers can wear Elements shorts under dresses or layer skirts over bodysuits for a reveal mid-routine. Because the pieces are sleek, form-fitting, and available in all sizes, it’s easy to keep the look consistent across the cast.

This also solves one of the biggest headaches for large groups: size availability. With every style running from child 4 through adult XL, I can be confident that every dancer—from the tiniest mini to the tallest senior—will match perfectly. No awkward mismatches, no last-minute alterations, no compromises on style.

The collection essentially becomes a toolbox for costuming versatility, ensuring I can adapt to whatever choreography demands—whether it’s a five-minute production number with multiple layers or a straightforward lyrical routine that needs a simple but elegant base.

 

My Own Experience: Blending the Options

This season, my Senior Jazz group is the perfect example of how versatile the Elements Collection can be. We’re doing a hybrid of Options 1, 2, and 3:

• Wide Waistband Shorts as the base.
  

• Layered with the Long Mesh Open Skirt for dramatic movement.
  

• Each dancer selected their own top style—so while the silhouettes vary, the group remains cohesive.
  

• We chose a palette of Sienna, Walnut, and Sandstone to create a warm, dramatic Western vibe.
  

The result is a look that’s custom, powerful, and completely aligned with the choreography’s mood. Each dancer feels confident in their chosen top, and as a group, the earthy tones blend beautifully under the stage lights.

I honestly can’t wait to see it all come together in performance. It’s proof that with the right approach, a catalog collection can look every bit as couture and intentional as something designed from scratch.

Costuming is the finishing touch that brings all the hours of rehearsal, choreography, and vision together on stage. It can also be one of the most stressful parts of the process. Striking a balance between practicality, budget, and creativity isn’t always easy—but the Elements Collection makes it possible.

By using it strategically—whether for pops of color, silhouette variety, themed looks, or versatile layering—you can create costumes that feel fresh, intentional, and stage-worthy. And when your dancers feel confident and your vision comes to life, the impact is undeniable.

So, get creative. Think beyond the catalog photos. Mix, match, and experiment. With the Elements Collection, your costuming options are limited only by your imagination—and that’s exactly what turns catalog into couture.