You wouldn’t show up to soccer practice without cleats and shin guards, or to swim lessons without a bathing suit and goggles, but is wearing the appropriate dress code for dance class important?
Yes! Following the dress code is critical to the dancer’s success. Why?
1. For Teacher Corrections
Correct attire allows the dance instructor to see the dancer’s body positions and movements well enough to give the necessary corrections for improvement. Bright patterns, messy clothing and colors/apparel that stand out from the class can be a distraction to the teacher’s trained eye.
2. For Proper Movement
Correct dance attire allows the dancers to move properly. Improper clothing can negatively impact technique, precision, visibility, and ability to grip the floor properly. Incorrect shoes change the dance technique and can greatly hinder their ability to do steps accurately, leaving students frustrated and more prone to mistakes and injury.
3. For Increased Focus
Dancers need to focus on the steps instead of what they (or others in the class) are wearing. Colors that are not part of dress code will stand out and be distracting, especially to younger children.
Hair falling out of a bun or ponytail gets in the dancers’ eyes and is very distracting and even dangerous when learning turns.
4. For Respect
Following the school’s dress code shows that dancers are ready to improve and develop their dance skills. As opposed to unstructured playtime, dance class is a place to learn as well as have fun!
Wearing the appropriate dance attire also shows respect to the teacher and other students in the class.
5. For Confidence
Appropriate dance attire builds confidence by helping dancers feel a part of the class’s culture, allowing for their best posture, and giving them the appropriate tools they need to improve and be successful in dance class.
Top 5 Common Dress Code Mishaps
Let’s work together to eliminate these common dress code mistakes and make dance class a better experience for everyone!
1. Wearing your hair down
Dancing with falling hair, hair in your eyes, or long hair brushing against others while dancing is a HUGE distraction to students and teachers alike. Additionally, keeping the hair up securely keeps the studio much cleaner as hair doesn’t fall out all over the studio floor.
2. Not wearing tights
We know that sometimes tights aren’t clean or get a hole, or your dancer doesn’t feel like wearing them. However, tights are an essential part of the dress code for sanitary purposes as well as for a more comfortable fit for all dance shoes (no rubbing on skin.) If you don’t have your tights one day, we have tights for sale AND tights to borrow at the front desk!
3. Girls wearing black tights and black ballet shoes for ballet class
Yes, we know Target sells black tights and black ballet shoes, but in the ballet world, black tights and black ballet shoes are typically for male students. Girls in ballet class wear pink tights and pink shoes. (If your dancer has darker skin and wants to wear skin-tone tights, they are welcome to do so! Make sure your tights and shoes match by ordering skin-tone ballet shoes as well.)
4. Wearing shorts
For hip hop, jazz, and tap classes, we don’t require tights, but we do require either leggings or pants. With lots of floor work, dancers will need to have their knees covered for protection. No short shorts are allowed, both for modesty and sanitary purposes as well.
5. Wearing purple, rainbow, blue, colorful, or patterned gymnastics leotards
Our dress code requires black or light pink leotards. Other colors are a huge distraction to the students and the teacher’s trained eye as well. Wearing the correct color helps students focus and improve best and sets a tone for the class to work together and become the best dancers they can be!
So, what is our dress code?
You can find out exact details here on our Dress Code page above, but basically we require:
Children’s Classes:
Children’s Ballet Classes: Black or light pink leotard (black or pink ballet skirt optional,) pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair must be in a bun.
Children’s Jazz Classes: Black or light pink leotard (black or pink ballet skirt optional,) pink tights, black jazz shoes. Hair must be in a bun.
Children’s Tap Classes: Black or light pink leotard (black or pink ballet skirt optional,) pink tights, black tap shoes. Hair must be in a bun.
Children’s Hip Hop Classes: Black or pink leotard, pink tights or black leggings, black jazz shoes. Hair must be in a bun or ponytail.
Combo classes (Use the above info. For example, a ballet/tap class will require the ballet dress code for the ballet portion of class and the tap dress code for the tap portion.)
Classes for ages 9+:
Ballet: Black leotard (black ballet skirt optional,) pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair must be in a bun. (If your dancer wants to wear skin-tone ballet shoes, they will need to wear skin-tone matching tights instead of pink.)
Jazz and Tap: Black leotard with tights, leggings or jazz pants. Hair must be in a bun or ponytail. No shorts.
Hip Hop: Leotard and sneakers. Dancers may wear leggings, pants, and shirt over their leotard. Hair must be in a ponytail or bun. No midriffs and no shorts.
Adult Classes:
The dress code for our adult classes is slightly more relaxed. Dancers may follow the above dress code but are also free to wear leggings/jazz pants instead of tights if desired. No midriffs or shorts. Appropriate shoes are required for the class.
Need a quick tutorial on how to do a ballet bun? Click here:
Need some new dancewear that is dress-code appropriate? We do sell all necessary dancewear at the studio. Come in and take a look.
We know that our dance families lead busy lifestyles, but putting forth effort to have your dancer dressed appropriately for class will ensure that everyone has the best experience possible!