Typical Outfits

“Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.”

-Ted Shawn

Specific apparel is needed for certain styles of each genre of dance. They differ widely in some areas such as ballet and hip-hop, and closer in others like lyrical, jazz and tap.

A standard ballet uniform consists of tights, a leotard and a bun, possibly leg warmers, a body wrap, or a skirts. It is essential to wear tights and leotard for practices of ballet, because you need tightly fitted clothes that help you to see and adjust your body positioning. Ballet is meticulous and you need the clothing to match that in order to get the work done.

Working its way up in causality; tap, jazz, and lyrical require a bit less than ballet in most areas. It is acceptable to wear clothing styles such as spandex, legging pants, legging capris, tight fitted tank tops, sports bras, leotards and crop tops in these dance styles. The range of clothing has developed to more articles, however it is suggested to keep tight fitted clothing on for these styles. These types of dances shouldn’t really be worn with loose, ill fitted clothing, as they require constant movements of tight isolations. Baggy clothes aren’t really complimentary to the styles. Though, tap does have exceptions as the style is becoming more pop, with more uses of loose fitting garments, it all depends on the choreography. Likewise, it would be totally fine to keep your ballet leotard on, or add spandex to it.

Finally, hip-hop bends all the rules. It is suggested to wear baggy clothes that are loose on the body, to compliment the flow of movement in the urban style cerography. Ideas for this can include, sweat pants, sweatshirts and t-shirts. Of course you can also wear the more traditional jazz apparel, but it would also be appropriate to throw on some baggy pants, and a tee over top.

As long as you are following our dress code, colors and styles are endless. Dance is a great way of expression, so the dance outfits we wear should not only show are expression for ourselves, but for the style of dance we are portraying. Above all else also keep comfort in mind, as you don’t want to be worrying about your outfit while you are trying to focus on the rehearsal at hand.

~Julia Brewer