Q&A for How to Dress for a Ballet Class

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Question

What do I wear to ballet class?

Geraldine Grace Johns
Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Geraldine Grace Johns

Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor

Expert Answer

For dance class, it's best if your clothing is form-hugging.Wear flat ballet shoes and ballet tights or leggings. For ladies, wear a leotard with a waist band, and for men, wear a fitted dance T-shirt.

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Question

What is the best age to start ballet? I'm 12.

MarissaLee

Community Answer

Most people start dance at a young age. Many start when they are 2-6. And if they decide to do competitive dance, they start this between age 6-8. It is fine to start at 12 or any other age. I started a bit late too. You might consider taking extra technique classes. You also will want to stretch and practice every day.

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Question

My ballet teacher fits me with everything and she says ballet shoes are a perfect fit when they hurt my toes. Is that really correct?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

It depends on what shoes you have. If you have pointe shoes, then they will hurt. Go to a store that sells dance shoes and get fitted there. Just remember that all shoes will need time to break in.

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Question

I am Kenyan and I don't have any place to buy ballet shoes.

Community Answer

Nairobi has numerous dance stores, including the the Academy of Dance and Art, that can sell or order in dance shoes for you. Or, you could order them online from either a Kenyan store or one abroad, and have them sent to you. If you're in an out-of-the-way location and cannot reach a major town or city, contact a local NGO and ask a foreign worker to bring some back for you the next time they take a trip back to their home country and return.

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Question

My hair is too short to be tied in a bun. Do you think my teacher will allow a ponytail?

Community Answer

Yes, just secure it with bobby pins.

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Question

Where can I buy ballet shoes? I can't find them in shops!

Community Answer

You can get an inexpensive pair from department stores such as Target, or, if there's not a dance shop in your area, you can online shop for more professional ones.

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Question

Can anyone do ballet?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you are dedicated to practicing.

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Question

How should I wear my bobbed hair for class?

Community Answer

Either pull back the front into a half pony tail or wear a headband that will keep your hair out of your face.

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Question

Why do we tie our hair in buns?

Community Answer

So your hair doesn't distract you, or other fellow dancers. Another reason is so it doesn't whip you or other dancers around you.

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Question

What is the best way to get in a leotard with a zipper and put on tights?

IncredibleGuinevere

Community Answer

First, put on the tights, then the leotard. If you are alone, take your dominate hand to the zipper and pull it as high as it will go, then put your arms to the back your neck, find the zipper, and pull up.

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Question

Is it too late to start ballet at the age of 16?

Community Answer

It's never too late to start ballet. It might seem like all of the other dancers have been dancing since they were 3, but as long as you work really hard you will be able to achieve great things.

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Question

I'm a boy, and I would prefer wearing girls' tights and a camisole leotard to my classes, but I'm too embarrassed. Would I be allowed, and how would I wear it without feeling awkward?

Daisy

Community Answer

If I were you, I would wear the tights and leotard, but with some boys shorts over the top. That way you will feel less awkward, but still comfortable in the clothes that you are wearing.

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Question

I don't have the right clothes to wear. What can I do?

Community Answer

Look for used ones online, through auction sites or for free through sites such as Freecycle. A basic leotard isn't that expensive. You could also ask the school for help with used clothes from former students. For shoes, again look online for cheaper sources.

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Question

Can I wear a fake bun in ballet as long as it is tightly secure with bobby pins?

Community Answer

It depends on the dance studio, but it will most likely be fine as long as it is tightly secured.

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Question

I heard once that we can't wear underwear with the leotard. Is it true?

Community Answer

Yes, unfortunately. The leotard is supposed to cover that entire area, just make sure you get one that fits well.

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Question

Do I need a teacher's permission to get pointe shoes?

Community Answer

You don't need a teacher's permission to get the shoes, but you should definitely wait until the teacher tells you you're ready before actually trying to go en pointe.

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Question

Is it too late to start dance at 15?

Community Answer

No, it's not too late. Late beginners often have greater motivation and dedicate more time and effort to learning and improving than those who have been learning longer but feel "forced" by parents to learn.

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Question

I am worried if I start late that I won't be able to compete! What should I do?

Community Answer

Even if you start late, you can still compete in "amateur" competitions. Even if you cannot compete, learn ballet for the love of it and you'll enjoy it.

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Question

Why do ballet dancers wear tights anyway?

Community Answer

Ballet dancers wear tights to help make their legs look straighter and slimmer and to provide a neat appearance. Also, the tights keep the legs warm during practice sessions.

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Question

Do you always have to have a bun for ballet?

Community Answer

It is definitely preferable if you have long hair because it makes it easier to turn, so that hair is not getting in the way.

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Question

My ballet shoes won't come in time for my first class, what can I wear instead?

Julia Marriot

Community Answer

Tell the teacher and ask if you can borrow any. If not, you can always go barefoot.

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Question

My hair is curly how and short, how do I tie it into a bun when it doesn't whip people? Will they allow me to just tie my hair into a normal ponytail ?

Hope watts

Community Answer

They will allow you to wear a ponytail. To do a bun with short curly hair, pull your hair up into a ponytail as high as possible. Then wrap a hairnet onto the ponytail and loop it around the base of the ponytail until you can't anymore. Secure the wrap into a bun with bobby pins. add a hairtye if you want extra support.)

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Question

What do you wear to rehearsals and performances for the Nutcracker ballet? What do you wear on opening night?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

You wear what you wear to ballet class during rehearsal, and you wear your costume for dress rehearsal and opening night.

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Question

What do you wear as a member of the dance company performing in the nutcracker ballet?

Community Answer

Wear your designated costume.

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