The Importance of Dress Code

How people dress has a direct impact on how they act. In general, dancers behave and dance better when they are dressed properly. Likewise, the opposite is true. Colors can have a significant impact on behavior as well. We have implemented a dress code that allows structure, as well as choice.
"...when we emulate the dress code of people we consider smart and powerful, 
​we feel infused with these qualities as well."

Dress Code

​Standard requirements for all classes include: appropriate hairstyle with hair secured off face (short hair off face using small hair tie elastics), midriff covered, face masks (ages 5 & up) and correct footwear. ​ 
​
*Dance Shoes are Indoor shoes. Please keep them clean.
*No jewelry/watches, safety pins, or jeans.


Acro
Hair: Braids (tucked). Hair elastics, no bobby pins. 
Clothing: Leotard/biketard and leggings or dance shorts
*Bare feet only (No: shoes/socks/tights).


Ballet
Hair: pinned off of the back of the neck in a bun or braid.
Clothing: Ballet pink ballet shoes. Leotard with a matching ballet skirt/tutu. Convertible tights (we have props for foot strengthening exercises). Pointe shoes if approved by teacher. See your class notes online for Pointe Test.
Warmup dancewear (optional): shrugs, leg warmers, and dance booties.

PreBallet examples (Any colors, pattern, print or material):
  • Green leotard with a sequin floral dance skirt and tan tights
  • Leotard with a ballerina printed on the front, tights, tutu, and striped leg warmers

Levels 1-4 examples (Black and Ballet Pink):
  • Black leotard with ballet pink tights
  • Black leotard with white tights
  • Black leotard with black tights
  • Ballet pink leotard with white tights

Males: Black ballet shoes. Long sleeved or T-shirt tucked in. Any shirt for PreBallet. White or Black shirt for levels 1-4. Black knee length dance shorts

*No socks. See below on how to tie Ballet shoes.


Ballet / Jazz Combo 
Hair: bun, braid, or ponytail.
Clothing: Ballet pink ballet shoes. Leotard, biketard, or unitard. Tights or leggings. Dance skirts/tutus should coordinate with the color of the leotard.
Warmup dancewear (optional): shrugs, leg warmers, and dance booties.

Ballet / Jazz 1 & 2 examples (Any colors, prints, and materials):
  • Soft lighter color (lavender, light blue, ballet pink, seafoam green)  leotards generally go with white tights.
  • Primary, secondary, and neon color leotards with tan or white tights 
Ballet / Jazz  3 & 4 examples (Solid colors. No patterns)
  • Black leggings/jazz pants/tights with any solid color leotard/biketard
  • Any solid color unitard

Males: Black ballet shoes. Long sleeved shirt or T-shirt tucked in with black knee length dance shorts or black capri sweat pants. Any shirt color for PreBallet, solid color shirt for levels 1-4. 

*No socks. See below how to tie Ballet shoes.


Clog
Hair: Tied back in ponytail or braid.
Footwear: Tap shoes are allowed, but clog taps are recommended. For Clog, we recommend buck jingle taps. You can purchase these separately and have a cobbler install them, or find them online already installed (black shoes). No tennis shoes with glued on double taps.
Additional Clothing:  Any color T-shirt. Darker color dance pants, leggings, or joggers (tight at ankle).


Hip Hop
Hair: Boxer braids, ponytails, messy buns
Footwear: Specific High top sneakers - metallic gray (females), black (males). These shoes are specific and part of the costume. They are also indoor shoes for class and can be found in our store.
Specific Clothing: Loose or side tucked T-shirt. Joggers or jeggings. (Any colors, patterns, and materials).
Additional Clothing: Sweatshirt, sweat pants, hat (beak dance beanie, baseball cap, etc.), or flannel button up/zip up jacket tied around the waist.

Lyrical
Footwear: Lyrical half soles (foot undies).
Clothing: Same attire as "Ballet / Jazz Combo".

PreDance
Footwear: Leather Ballet shoes as pictured below. Please square knot your ballet shoe ties and cut.
Clothing: Same dress standards as "PreBallet"

Modern / Contemporary
Footwear: Bare feet. No shoes.
Clothing: Leotard, biketard, unitard, or shirt with tucked in undershirt. Leggings, joggers (tight at ankle) or sweat capris. Beginners in modern may use dance knee pads.
Specific Clothing: Contemporary classes may wear socks if desired.


SMILE Tap
Footwear: Black slip on tap shoes.
Clothing: T-shirt, sport shorts, or sweats (tight at ankle).


Tap & PreTap
Footwear: Solid black slip on tap shoes (unless otherwise specified).
Clothing:  T-shirts, sport shorts, or sweats (tight at ankle).
​

*Leotards are worn in lieu of underwear. Tights are worn under leotards. Leggings or Jeggings are worn over leotards. 

How to Tie Ballet Shoes

Please square knot your ballet shoe ties. This consists of two half knots. The first half knot should be snug, but not tight. The second half knot should be pulled tight to secure the knot. The shoe should not be loose, but also not too tight. Check by inserting one finger behind near the heel. If it is too tight, take off the shoe, undo the knot using a safety pin, and try again. Once you fit it properly, cut your ties or finish the tie using shoelace knot and tuck the ties into your shoe.
Works Cited
​https://brainfodder.org/psychology-clothes-enclothed-cognition/
​https://www.printerland.co.uk/blog/how-workplace-dress-codes-can-affect-you/
​https://thriveglobal.com/stories/introducing-the-psychology-of-what-we-wear-to-work/
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