Ballet is undoubtedly an extremely beautiful and graceful form of dance, suitable for all ages. It is an art that, despite the glamour that characterizes it, requires determination, dedication and great discipline. So, the essence of ballet may not be in the tiaras and tutus, but that doesn’t mean that dancewear doesn’t play an absolutely vital role. Especially if you are starting your classes now, there is no room for uncomfortable clothes that create distractions. In the following, we’ll go over which dance clothes you’ll need and how to choose the right ones!
- Leotard
One of the main dance clothes you will need is, of course, the ballet leotard. You can choose a sleeveless or short-sleeved leotard, depending on how comfortable you feel or the temperature, but the most important thing is to choose the right size. You need to make sure that the leotard is neither too tight nor too loose. More specifically, the ballet leotard should be tight enough to allow for posture checking, but not so tight that it hinders movement in any way. The best way to ensure this is to try on the leotard and move around in it, walk around the room or even try some dance poses. If you feel “pulling” at any place, then it is definitely not the right fit. - Tights
For the lower body you will need a pair of tights, while some dance schools may give you the alternative of leggings. Similarly to the ballet leotard, the tights should fit your body perfectly, allowing for posture checking but not restricting your movements. It is a good idea to get one or two more so you can experiment and find the perfect size, but also have a spare in case of an emergency. - Skirt
We could say that the skirt is one of the optional dance clothes, especially in your first lessons. At the same time though, it’s quite important as it can make you feel more comfortable in the classroom, providing an extra layer of coverage, while also giving you an excellent first taste of the more professional dancewear you may be asked to try on later.
And remember, when it comes to dance clothes, the most essential thing is to feel comfortable in them… So do as many fittings as necessary until you feel you have found the right ones. After that, every step will seem a lot easier!