BLDC DANCER DRESS CODE


The goal of the dancer dress code is safety and etiquette.  

A neat and tidy appearance sets an attitude of attentiveness and respect for students, teachers, and the art of dance. It allows teachers to see the dancer’s body outline clearly to help make proper technique corrections with posture and alignment.  


Dancewear and specific shoes are required for dance class. Dancewear has special breathable moveable washable fabric.  It tends to run small in size since it stretches and should be washed in cold water and hung to air-dry to prevent shrinking.


Types of dancewear include leotards, sports bras, leggings in full-length or capri-length, spandex shorts in different lengths (called spanks or bike shorts), jazz pants, and warm-up pants.

  • Bulky street clothes can be trip hazards and do not breathe and form to the body like proper dance attire. Therefore, no loose fitting pants, such as sweat pants, or jeans are permitted.  Warm-up pants may be worn to and from class but should be removed during class.  

  • Leg warmers and form-fitting wrap sweaters are permitted.

  • T-shirts are permitted in hip-hop and tap classes but a form-fitting top, leotard, or sports bra will allow teachers to see dancer movements better.  No inappropriate language or messages are allowed on T-shirts.

  • No costumes are allowed in class unless a dress-up day is announced by the teacher.

Tights come in three foot styles and colors: 

  • Footed with a closed reinforced toe.

  • Transitional with a circle hole on the bottom that allows the material to be pulled up around the ankle to expose a bare foot when needed for certain types of dance such as acrobatics.  It can also look like a closed toe footed tight to fit into a variety of dance shoes.  The advantage of a transitional tight is when dancers practice different styles of dance in the same night, they do not need to change tights.

  • Stir-up with a strap of fabric across the arch to allow more of the barefoot to be exposed for certain types of dance such as the contemporary/lyrical style.

  • Most common tight colors are skin tone and pink.  Black and other colors may be needed for certain costumes.  Teacher will notify the class which color tights are needed for costuming.

  • Tights are required when wearing a leotard. The exception is acrobatics/tumbling class where a leotard can be worn without tights.  Tights are not required with leggings, however some form of a sock or anklet or knee-high tight may be needed for proper shoe fitting and comfort, to prevent blisters.

Shoe types: 

  • Ballet shoes contain an elastic strap and split soles.  Leather or canvas varieties are available and a specific make and model may be suggested by the teacher for uniformity during performances.  Pink is the required color unless otherwise specified for a performance.

  • Jazz shoes slip on and have a small heel.  They are typically leather with a split sole (fabric at the arch) and come in tan or black.

  • Tap shoes need to be lace-up for intermediate and advanced tappers.  For introductory and beginner dancers, the velcro MaryJane style is acceptable. Black is the required color for group dances.  Advanced tappers may choose a colored shoe for solos.

    • Tap shoe covers help protect the shoes and the floors when walking to and from class from common areas.

  • Hip-hop shoes should be a canvas sneaker in the Converse style, preferred black and white, low top or high top, unless otherwise specified by the teacher.

  • Lyrical/contemporary style- pirouette or turner shoes are tan in color and often cover the front half of the foot, enclosing the toes with a sole under the ball of the foot and an elastic band secured around the heel. 


For all dance classes: 

Hair must be pulled back off the face and neck in a bun, pony tail, or braids.  No sharp barrettes should be worn, especially in acrobatics.  For the competitive team, hair must be secured to the head. Fabric headbands and bun covers are permitted for practice.

Jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings should not be worn.  Necklaces are a risk of entanglement. Bracelets and rings may cause injury to oneself or others. Earrings should be studs, not large or dangling.  This policy is for safety and also reduces the risk of damaged, lost, or stolen jewelry. 

Gum chewing is not permitted for choking risk and etiquette.


Male dancers: A white t-shirt, black leggings, and black shoes are the traditional dress code for male dancers.  Please see the teacher for more details.

DANCE ATTIRE KEY (alphabetical order)

BIK = bike-tard, leotard with attached shorts

LEO, A = leotard, any color, any style

LEO, B = leotard, black, short sleeve, any style

LEG, A = legging, any color

LEG, B = legging, black

PNT, W= warm-up pant

PNT, J = jazz pant

PNT, L = loose pant, athletic-style

SHO, A = short, spandex, any color

SHO, B = short, spandex, black

SHO, L = short, loose-fitting athletic-style

SWT= sweater, wrap-style 

SKT = skirt, attached, slip-on elastic waist band, wrap-style

TSH = t-shirt

TIGHTS

TIGHT, B = tight, black

TIGHT, P = tight, pink

TIGHT, T = tight, tan

TIGHT, F = footed tight

TIGHT, S = stir-up tight

TIGHT, Tr = transitional tight

SHOES

BAL, P = ballet, pink

BAL, B = ballet, black

CHA = character shoes, tan, heel, strap

JAZ, T = jazz shoes, tan

JAZ, B = jazz shoes, black

LYR = pirouette turner shoes, tan

SNK = sneakers, Converse-style, canvas or leather, low or high-top, black & white

TAP, L = tap, lace ties

TAP, S = tap, strap

HAIR

HAIR, ANY = any style, pulled off face and neck neatly (buns, braids, ponytail, pigtails)

HAIR, BUN

HAIR, SECURE = attached to head, French braids, French twists, no loose ponytail please