Parents, if you think “looking cool” only pertains to your child’s outfit at school, you are mistaken. It certainly is important at dance as well. Similar to an educational setting, though, there are often rules at each studio about proper dance attire. Here, we will share with you the basics but be sure to check with your studio, too, before buying an entire dance wardrobe.
HAIR
Make sure it is out of your child’s face. It can be very hard to keep up with the instructor if your child has to constantly swipe hair away from his/her eyes. For girls with long hair, it should be pulled back in a ponytail, braid or bun. (You can check out plenty of bun and braid tutorials on YouTube for fun styles and tricks!) If it’s on the shorter side, secure it with a headband or bobby pins. For boys, apply some gel so it stays in place and doesn’t become a distraction.
BALLET
A ballerina is most often envisioned in a light pink tutu. However, you will rarely walk into a dance studio and see tutus actually being worn. The typical ballet outfit consists of a leotard, tights and ballet shoes. Of course there are numerous variations to this outfit; some wear shorts or a skirt over their leotard; some wear leggings or leg warmers. The most important characteristic of ballet apparel is the fit. Baggy clothes are a big no-no. Clothes must be form fitting to aid with seeking proper body alignment as well as allowing freedom of movement.
JAZZ/TAP/HIP-HOP
These three genres of dance allow for a more relaxed look. For girls: leggings, dance shorts, sports bras, tank tops and wrap skirts are the fundamentals of dance attire. For boys: fitted t-shirts, sweat pants, jazz pants, bike shorts or long shorts. Your child can absolutely never wear jeans to class. They will restrict him/her from full participation (that is, if the teacher even allows them to participate).
SHOES
We will not be going into the specifics of shoes because each studio usually requires a certain brand and color so that the class has a uniform look for performances. However, just know that each genre of dance calls for a different shoe. So if you enroll your child for tap, jazz and ballet be prepared to buy all the necessary clothing along with three pairs of shoes.
BAG
It is very important to send your child off to dance school with a bag. This will help both you and your child stay organized; all their dance items and accessories will always be in the same place. When going to class, they should always bring all the shoes needed for the night, a water bottle and maybe a little, healthy snack.
Sometimes wearing the right clothes is just what your child needs for a boost of confidence. Looking the part is half the battle. The rest will fall into place from there.
By Marisa Pilato
