Top Costume Sources For Color/Winter Guard

Here's a list of some of my favorite places to look for a winter or color guard costume.  They're in no particular order but I've added a quick blurb about each to help you find what you're looking for.  I have had good experiences with all of these sites and would recommend any of them.  Choosing a costume for your guard depends on budget, show design, and style! Good luck!

The Band Hall is probably the best place to go for traditional guard costumes. They will also work with you to create custom designs. Several big name drum corps and winter guards use this company for their costume needs.

A Wish Come True is a newer company that has really grown and offers a wide variety of costumes for guard and dance. They have some very unique fabrics you can choose from when personalizing your order.
 
Discount Dance Supply has basics, tops, bottoms, and some dresses all at a great price. These will cost quite a bit less than typical guard costumes.

Fred J. Miller is another big name with typical guard costumes and big name clients.

McCormick's is one of my favorite companies to order from because it's a little smaller.  You get great customer service and fast delivery. They only have a few costumes available in stock, but they will work with you individually to create custom designs.

Guard Closet is a website where you can buy used equipment, flags, and costumes. Color guards can post items for sale on this site and they are often at a steep discount but still in good condition.


Style Plus offers several costumes in stock which is good if you wait until the last minute to place your order! They also have some very fun and modern fabrics to choose from, even if they don't have the largest variety.

Dancewear Solutions sells mostly dance basics and practice wear but has some gorgeous performance pieces to choose from. They have low prices and excellent shipping costs.

THANKS FOR READING! For more tips and fun stuff about the marching arts OR if you are interested in custom Winter Guard show design, drill, and choreography or Marching Band drill and Color Guard choreography, check out my website at marchandspin.com.

Outline Your Winter Guard Show

When writing a winter guard show, it pays to be organized so all the components of your show come together.  Drill needs to match the choreography and it all needs to match your music.  Once you have your music picked out, the next step is it make an outline of your show. Begin by listening to your music. A lot. Over and over.  Discover the different layers and timing of the piece. Now you can write your music map.

The first step is to make a list of counts and which part of music it corresponds to. Like this:

1-16: intro
1-32: verse 1
1-32: verse 1
1-16: bridge
1-32: chorus
1-8:   transition
1-32: verse 2... and so on.

Next you can add details about what is happening in each section of music.  You can list the timing of big hits, cymbal crashes, quiet parts, or even lyrics. Like this:

1-16: intro (piano)
1-32: verse 1 (cymbal crash on count 9)
1-32: verse 1
1-16: bridge (building bigger)
1-32: chorus (big!)
1-8:   transition (instrumental)
1-32: verse 2 (says "turn around" on counts 13-15)... and so on. 

Finally you can outline what will happen in your show for each section of music. Like this:

1-16: intro -- solo dancer
1-32: verse 1 -- small group of flags enter. flag toss on count 9
1-32: verse 1 -- continue flag work
1-16: bridge -- add-on flag work, adding more members on floor
1-32: chorus -- large ensemble flag feature
1-8:    transition -- rifle line exits floor to exchange equipment. feature small flag line
1-32: verse 2 -- rifle line enters. performers turn or face back on counts 13-15... and so on.

Once you have this outline all laid out for your show, it is so much easier to write your drill and choreography. You'll know all the important counts to hit and where each toss or feature should occur.  You can also share this outline with all the other instructors so everyone can work on different sections of the show and not be confused about where each part it.  This extra work before you start is a great way to keep your show organized and will facilitate a smooth process. Good luck!

THANKS FOR READING! For more tips and fun stuff about the marching arts OR if you are interested in custom Winter Guard show design, drill, and choreography or Marching Band drill and Color Guard choreography, check out my website at marchandspin.com.