Mission
Dressed to Dance exists to increase access to dance by eliminating some of the barriers to participation. We provide dancewear and costumes–which can be prohibitively expensive–to young Chicago dancers who need them.
Dancing is a creative, expressive, fun medium that’s also great exercise! Participating in classes brings many young people unforgettable personal development opportunities, memories, skills, and confidence that lasts a lifetime. However, many classes, such as ballet, require special clothing and shoes, which can be prohibitively expensive–especially when combined with the cost of the classes themselves.
Additionally, competitions, recitals and performances often require the purchase of expensive costumes, many of which are never used again. By recycling these garments, we are not only providing opportunities for dance to people who might not otherwise have them, but we are eliminating clothing waste.