What You Need For Ballet Classes Apart From A Ballet Uniform

So you have enrolled your child for ballet classes but don’t know where to start? This short guideline can help you figure out the very basics of what is required for ballet lessons.

General rules

Ballet classes are known for the rigour of their discipline and order. Students need to attend the classes regularly making up for missed ones. It’s better for dancers to arrive prior to the class so there’s enough time to finish dressing, change shoes and attend to hair. All of the students need to observe ballet uniform and grooming requirements. All watches and jewellery need to be removed before the class, otherwise they can cause discomfort when moving.

Uniform requirements

Ballet teachers are very strict about the clothing allowed for their classes. Girls are required to wear pink tights, pink ballet slippers and a leotard, the type and colour of which may vary depending on the grade. In addition to their standard ballet uniform, girls may also wear a matching pink chiffon skirt in the pre-primary and primary grades. Also students might need a circular character skirt and character shoes as they move on to older grades. Boys typically wear a tee or leotard, black tights, white socks and white ballet slippers with elastic for classes.

Shoe care

Shoes are a very important part of the ballet uniform and need to be cared for in an appropriate way. The fit of all new ballet shoes is commonly checked by the instructor before attaching elastic to soft ballet shoes or ribbon to pointe shoes. The instructor can also show students or their parents where to sew elastic or ribbon and how ballet shoes need to be worn. Almost all types of ballet shoes can be spot cleaned with soap and water or a small amount of cleaning fluid. Some of them (canvas and satin shoes) can even be washed in the washing machine.

Hair and grooming

Ballet dancers not only need to keep their ballet uniform in order, but grooming is also an important part of any ballet class or performance. Girls need to hold their hair off the face and neck; they can wear it pulled back into a pig or pony tail. Students in advanced classes need to put their hair up in a secured bun; there are a lot of bobby pins, bun covers and hair nets available on the market so you can always choose the best for your child. Short hair can be held off the face using barrettes or headbands.
Those who are performing on stage are often given make-up and hair instructions prior to the performance. All performing students need to wear the specified make-up, smooth their hair with gel and secure the bun with a net. Short hair needs to be smoothed back with hair gel and bobby pins.

Ballet students are expected to dress neatly and appropriately for all classes and wear a special ballet uniform suitable for their particular grade. All dancewear can be purchased online as well as on the high street, but you can get a wider range of clothing as well as lower prices online.