When to order dance team uniforms and costumes
Start about 14 weeks before the event. That leaves time for one sample, about 4 to 6 weeks of bulk, shipping by air and a few weeks to try everything on. For a team at nationals in mid February 2027, the sample should start by October 30, 2026.
- Dates for the 2027 season
- About 14 weeks before the event
- Bulk in about 4 to 6 weeks
How the 14 weeks add up
Our planning numbers, worked back from the day of the event. The sample time is our estimate, and we confirm it with your quote.
- SampleAbout 3 weeks to make it, send it, try it on and approve it
- BulkAbout 4 to 6 weeks after you approve the sample. Plan for 6
- Shipping by airAbout 1 to 2 weeks. Plan for 2
- Try-onAbout 3 weeks before the event, to check every size
- In allAbout 14 weeks
- Late DecemberAdd a week when a step falls between December 20 and January 3
Order-by dates for the 2027 season
Worked back from each kind of event with our planning numbers. If your event falls on another day, move each date by the same number of days.
| Event in 2027 | In hand by | Approve the sample by | Start the sample by |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school and junior high nationals, mid February | January 22, 2027 | November 20, 2026 | October 30, 2026 |
| All star and studio events, mid March | February 19, 2027 | December 18, 2026 | November 27, 2026 |
| College nationals, early April | March 18, 2027 | January 21, 2027 | December 24, 2026 |
| Studio recitals, May and June | March 31, 2027 | February 3, 2027 | January 13, 2027 |
| All star season finals, late April | April 2, 2027 | February 5, 2027 | January 15, 2027 |
| Studio summer nationals, June to August | June 1, 2027 | April 6, 2027 | March 16, 2027 |
| Fall game day, before the first football game | August 1, 2027 | June 6, 2027 | May 16, 2027 |
| Fall competition season, from late October | October 1, 2027 | August 6, 2027 | July 16, 2027 |
From the quote to the day of the event
- Send your design and numbers. A sketch, a photo of the cut you want or one of our designs, with the number of dancers and the event date.
- Check the design. We draw it, and you confirm the colors, the lettering and the stones.
- Get one physical sample. $150 to $500, depending on the design, plus shipping.
- Try it on and approve it. Changes go into another sample round, which adds time.
- Send the size list. One list with each dancer's size, and the names if you want them.
- Bulk. About 4 to 6 weeks after you approve the sample.
- Shipping. By air, about 1 to 2 weeks.
- Try everything on. Check every size about 3 weeks before the event.
What makes a team late
Each one can cost a week or more.
- Changes after the sample. Each change means another sample round.
- A late size list. Bulk starts when every size is in.
- The holidays. Couriers, flights and offices slow down from December 20 to January 3.
- Kids sizes without a lab plan. Kids sizes need lab tests before you import them, so book your lab early.
- No time to try on. Leave about 3 weeks between delivery and the event.
Events in late January and early February
For school nationals in late January and early February 2027, the start dates in our plan were October 16 and October 22, 2026.
- Ask us now: if your order can be made in about 4 weeks instead of 6, there may still be time.
- We check first: we confirm the dates with you before you order.
- Next season: start the sample for these events by mid October.
Questions buyers ask
How far ahead should we order dance team uniforms?
About 14 weeks before the event. That covers about 3 weeks for the sample, up to 6 weeks of bulk and up to 2 weeks by air. That leaves 3 weeks to try everything on.
When should a studio order recital costumes?
For recitals in May and June, plan to have the costumes in hand by the end of March. That means starting the sample by mid January.
Can a team still order for an event in late January or early February 2027?
Ask us now. If your order can be made in about 4 weeks instead of 6, there may still be time. We confirm the dates before you order.
Do kids sizes take longer?
Bulk takes the same time. Kids sizes also need lab tests before you import them, so book your lab early and add its time to the plan.
What slows an order down?
Changes after the sample, a late size list and the holidays from December 20 to January 3. Each one can add a week or more.
How long does shipping take?
By air, about 1 to 2 weeks.
Your request is ready
Send it to us on WhatsApp, or copy it into an email to contact@sharknits.com.
Want to talk sooner? Book a 15-minute call on Google Meet.
What happens next
- We reply with questions and a quote.
- We make one sample for you to check.
- You approve it, and we make your order.
contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a US corporate office near Chicago.