I was a keen dancer and figure skater from an early age and never had a problem finding anything to wear, being a pretty standard, leggy teenager and then unhealthily thin into my early 30s. Coming back to skating after an accident, I have gained a lot of weight and a new understanding of the terrors of the slippery pastime. I also discovered that whilst a lot of women take up the sport as adults, it's not always easy for them to find skating-appropriate sportswear that will actually fit them. It's all designed for those leggy teenagers. Even the "Adult Large" sizes usually only fit a UK12. Well, I'm sorry, but by modern standards, a UK12 ain't particularly large! And referring to a UK16 as an XXL is likely to earn you either a slap or a lost customer. I suspect this can also play a part in actually deterring quite a few women from even trying the sport and that much the same happens with dancing and ballet. I think that's a shame and was quite shocked to discover that the largest size of ballet wrap skirt commercially available fits a 28" waist. Obviously I had to rectify that immediately!

Roaring Mouse is named for a small but mighty friend of mine, who has been a lifelong devotee of figure skating but only took it up in her early 50s. She wants - and deserves - all the gear but as it doesn't fit her, I'm the one who has to recut it to fit her diminutive stature. Frankly, I'm not keen on alterations and I'd rather make from scratch, so Roaring Mouse was born; a range of sports and dancewear designed with adult women in mind. Sensibly cut and sized for people with curves and available in standard sizes or made to measure, because women are very, very different. So, whether you're 4' nothing or 6' plus, if you want skating or dancing gear made to fit you, you've come to the right place.

I will make for children, too. Just request a custom order and we'll sort it out.

If there's something you want but can't see it in my shop, send me a message and I'll happily do my best to help. I love a challenge.