What should my child wear to dance class?

The good news first: for your child's first class, you don't need to buy anything. Comfortable clothes they can move in are all it takes. Once they enroll, each style has its own dress code, and this guide walks you through it.

For the very first class

If your child is coming to a free trial class, keep it simple:

• Fitted, comfortable clothes: leggings, bike shorts or a fitted T-shirt work well. Avoid jeans, skirts with buttons and anything with zippers or belts.
• Hair tied back in a ponytail or bun, so it stays out of their face.
• No jewelry, apart from small stud earrings.
• A water bottle with their name on it.
• Footwear: don't buy dance shoes yet. For hip hop, clean sneakers are perfect. For other styles, let us know when you book and we'll tell you what works for the trial.

Coming straight from school? Pack a dance bag and plan a quick change before class. Think of it like going to the gym: you wouldn't work out in your office clothes. Dance clothes let your child move freely and safely, and changing helps them switch into class mode. Arriving about 10 minutes early leaves time to change and settle in.

What to wear once your child enrolls

Each style has its own dress code, because each one moves differently.

Ballet

• A leotard and pink tights
• Pink ballet shoes
• Hair in a neat bun

Fitted ballet clothes let teachers see posture and alignment, which is how they give each dancer useful corrections. Learn more about our ballet classes.

Hip hop

• Comfortable clothes they can move freely in
• Clean sneakers worn only indoors at the studio

Indoor-only sneakers keep street dirt and grit off the dance floor, which protects everyone's feet. See our hip hop classes.

Tap

• Fitted dancewear
• Tap shoes

Tap shoes aren't needed for a trial class, only once your child enrolls. See our tap classes.

Jazz

• Fitted dancewear
• Jazz shoes

Jazz shoes have a thin, flexible sole that helps with turns. See our jazz classes.

Contemporary

• Fitted dancewear
• Bare feet or foot undies (half-soles that cover the ball of the foot)

Contemporary includes a lot of floorwork, so bare feet give dancers grip and control. See our contemporary classes.

Gymnastics & tumbling

• A gymnastics leotard, in any color
• Bare feet

A leotard stays in place through rolls, cartwheels and handstands, so your child can focus on the skill instead of their clothes. Skip anything with zippers, buttons or snaps, which can snag or press into the body. See our gymnastics & tumbling classes.

For every class

• Hair tied back, every time
• No jewelry except small studs. Necklaces and bracelets can catch or hurt during movement.
• Water bottle, labeled
• No gum or food in the studio room
• Label everything. Ballet shoes and water bottles look identical in a cubby.

Tips for buying dance shoes

• Buy for the foot they have now. Dance shoes should fit snugly. Shoes with "room to grow" slip and make it harder to balance safely.
• Try them on with what your child will wear in class, like tights for ballet.
• Ask us before you buy. We're happy to tell you exactly which shoes your child's class uses.

For our youngest dancers

Toddlers and preschoolers do best in clothes they can manage on their own. Pick outfits that are easy to get on and off, and plan a bathroom trip right before class. One less thing to worry about means more time to dance.

Still not sure what to bring? Call or text us at (818) 579-2045, or book a free trial class and come as you are.