| The first thing you’ll want to realize when signing | | | | of shirts they will require you to wear. Some |
| up yourself or your child for ballet or dance lessons is | | | | teachers will only allow long-sleeved shirts in their |
| nearly all dance studios have a dress code. Many of | | | | studios. Other instructors are more lax on their rules |
| them are strictly enforced. One woman even | | | | and allow long or short-sleeved t-shirts. A lot of male |
| prevents students from participating in the class if | | | | dancers also prefer to wear formfitting tanks to |
| they are not just dressed properly. They must sit on | | | | class. |
| the side and watch from the side instead. | | | | - Get control of your hair before you enter the |
| The right attire for ballet is necessary to mastering | | | | studio. If an instructor finds your hair to be |
| the poise and graceful forms required in this | | | | distracting, they may refuse to train you until you do |
| demanding form of art. The way you dress for class | | | | something about it. If you have long hair, pull it back |
| is determined by the setting in which you dance and | | | | to the nape of the neck and put it in a ponytail. |
| by the wishes of your dance instructor. You’ll | | | | Women |
| find that most of the students actually like following | | | | - Ask your instructor if you are required to wear |
| a dress code. It gives them a sense of unity with | | | | sleeved or sleeveless leotards. Buy a leotard that is |
| their fellow dance students, almost like a team. It | | | | constructed using side darts, front and back. It will fit |
| also gives them a feel of professionalism. | | | | you better. |
| A young ballet dancer wearing a dance leotard for | | | | - Choose a pair of pink tights for practices and |
| the first time can feel even more self-confident that | | | | another for the performance. The tights just like |
| they can do it. Here is a list of some of the more | | | | your leotard should fit properly and not too tight or |
| common dress codes dance studios will enforce. | | | | too baggy. |
| Men | | | | - Go shopping for a pair of pink leather ballet slippers. |
| - Here’s the best piece of advice you’ll ever | | | | You’ll find a lot of dancers begin with leather |
| get: buy a dance belt. Many of the top ballet studios | | | | shoes before advancing to satin toe shoes as they |
| require their male dancers to wear tights with the | | | | move further along in their training. |
| shirts tucked in. This is why a dance belt is a | | | | - You may want to think about buying a nice hooded |
| necessity. It also acts in the same regards as a | | | | sweatshirt or cover-up for outside the studio. Ballet |
| jockstrap. | | | | specialty shops sell coordinating wrap-around skirts |
| - Buy a pair of black tights. If your school requires | | | | and ballet sweaters at to help keep you warm |
| you to wear socks, buy some footless tights. | | | | before and after your class. |
| - Try to find a good pair of black leather ballet | | | | - Just like with the men, control your hair. Put it up in |
| slippers for your feet. You’ll want them to fit | | | | a tight and secure bun at the back of your head. If |
| snugly but not be too tight. They will cause blisters if | | | | you have longer hair, arrange it higher on your head, |
| they are the incorrect size. | | | | while shorter hair can be pulled back to the nape. |
| - Ask the instructor of the dance studio what types | | | | |