Ballet attire requires cover up?

[Anonymous]

Ballet instructor here -- cover ups for older/ advanced students keep their muscles warm and prevent injury specifically in the winter. The shock of cold air after a steamy ballet class is not good for the body.

In addition I am the least " prude" person you could imagine but I do realize some predators are aroused by young girls in ballet attire and instances of those types hanging around Parks/grocery stores etc near studios are well documented.

That being said until about age 6 I would still allow my daughter to go to the car/store etc in Just her leotards

[Anonymous]

I take it to establish a sense of professionalism. Basically a dance leotard is a swimsuit with tights. My kids always wear shorts or a coverup with swimsuits unless they are actually swimming. Also dance shoes should never be worn off the dance floor. Having separate "outside attire" helps remind dancers to change footwear as well instead of just running out to the car. I see no problem with the quote.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I think it's the use of the word "inappropriate" that throws me. As if a little girl in a leotard is somehow scandalous.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps they mean inappropriate for the situation not necessarily scandalous. Ie winter boots are inappropriate at the pool in July. A Halloween costume is inappropriate for church and leotards wo cover ups are inappropriate in some situations BC of cold muscles etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ballet instructor here -- cover ups for older/ advanced students keep their muscles warm and prevent injury specifically in the winter. The shock of cold air after a steamy ballet class is not good for the body.

In addition I am the least " prude" person you could imagine but I do realize some predators are aroused by young girls in ballet attire and instances of those types hanging around Parks/grocery stores etc near studios are well documented.

That being said until about age 6 I would still allow my daughter to go to the car/store etc in Just her leotards

This. And because it's a way of respecting the art and the traditions and discipline of ballet.

Stop getting het up over something ridiculous. Also, ladies, the rules against prurient/stage mother gossip at studios is for the protection of the dancers.

[Anonymous]

I think it's perfectly reasonable.

[Anonymous]

The intent seems fine, but the language "inappropriate" is way off, especially if it's really for, as PP suggested, protecting muscles. (And if so, why don't runners, swimmers, and others get the same warning?)

I don't mind the respect for the heritage issue at all, but that sure was a clumsy way to word it.

As for pervs getting off on our little girls dressed in leotards, if that's such a big problem then why is it okay to wear on stage?

Can you folks who think it's okay also weigh in on PP's quote about wearing a black skirt only during that time of month? Egads. PP - is that real? where did you get that?

Honestly, ballet is f**ed. I did it for years and wouldn't send a kid into that battlefield.

[Anonymous]

holy loly PP, I thought you might have made that one up. but here it is: F'n CREEPY.

Dress Code – Orlando Ballet Schools & Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet
The dress code rules are established for a purpose – to have uniformity and so that the teacher is able to see the full lines of the body. This Dress Code is Mandatory!
? Proper fitting of classical ballet shoes, whether technique shoes or pointe shoes, should be determined with the help of the ballet teacher. Pointework is begun when the student demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the classical ballet curriculum, and reaches the age, maturity, and strength that is necessary. The decision to start pointe work is made on an individual basis with the expert advice of the teacher, director or principal of the school. Ballet shoes must have an elastic strap sewn across the top of each foot. Please do not
13
pin or tie the elastic straps, as this is not secure and can hurt your child’s foot. The elastic laces on ballet shoes should be tied, trimmed and tucked in the top of the shoe. This prevents the laces from becoming untied during class or during recitals.
? No leg warmers, plastic pants, sweat pants or ballet cover-ups are allowed during class.
No jewelry (including rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and watches) may be worn during class, with the exception of stud earrings. No hoop or dangling earrings are permitted. These items are not allowed because they can be broken during class, they can harm your child during class, and they can harm other students during work with partners in class and rehearsals.
? All girls must wear their hair in a bun or similar style for ballet class. Loose ponytails or loose braids are not permitted. All hair should be secured to the crown of the head with hairpins or bobby pins and a hair net. Hair accessories should be secure so they do not fall off during class. Girls with very short hair should secure their hair with a band, held in place with bobby pins, and should use hairspray or gel to prevent hair from becoming loose and falling in front of the face. No eyeglasses may be worn for Professional Performances, exceptions for School recitals will be made on an individual basis. At the Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet, students may not wear eyeglasses when performing School recitals in professional theaters, including Ferguson Hall.
? All boys must have neat hair, combed out of their face and, if necessary, held in place with hairspray or gel. Clean shaven faces are required.
? Dramatic hair color streaking of different colors is not permitted. ? Teenage female dancers are permitted to wear a black skirt ONLY for cover-up
for that specific “time” of the month. No shorts are allowed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The intent seems fine, but the language "inappropriate" is way off, especially if it's really for, as PP suggested, protecting muscles. (And if so, why don't runners, swimmers, and others get the same warning?)

I don't mind the respect for the heritage issue at all, but that sure was a clumsy way to word it.

As for pervs getting off on our little girls dressed in leotards, if that's such a big problem then why is it okay to wear on stage?

Can you folks who think it's okay also weigh in on PP's quote about wearing a black skirt only during that time of month? Egads. PP - is that real? where did you get that? Honestly, ballet is f**ed. I did it for years and wouldn't send a kid into that battlefield.

http://www.orlandoballet.org/school/handbook.pdf

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[Anonymous]

Not touching the black skirt thing, but otherwise, some things are just inappropriate. Inappropriate doesn't always have to be read as a euphemism for "likely to provoke prurient thoughts." Walking down Wisconsin Ave in a bathing suit is inappropriate. So is walking around outside in a leotard and tights. I think that should be obvious, but apparently it's not.

I agree that sometimes these rules seem pointless when your child is young, as is OP's, but it easier and, I think, appropriate for the school to apply the same rules in this area to all ages. As another example, our kids' school has a dress code that prohibits spaghetti straps. It seems pointless for the kindergarteners, but it makes sense for middle schoolers, and where would the school draw the line?

[Anonymous]

For toddlers I don't see much harm in letting them go from the studio to the car in their leotard, a sweater or jacket, and street shoes. We only changed into street clothes when it was cold outside.

I don't want to raise a couple of 'black swans' but I do want my girls to have a bit more poise and grace than I did, growing up without any dance or movement instruction.

[Anonymous]

Ok people, chill. Here's the reason for the black skirt policy.

DD is a serious ballet dancer. Her studio isn't as strict as those quoted here but dancers there seem to naturally want to wear coverups as they hit puberty.

Re: the skirt - here's the low down. If you'll re-read the quote it says dancers are permitted to wear a black skirt during that time of month - they don't have to, it's an option and here's why.

DD, who's between 11 and 12 just got her second period. She's been stressed with the whole tights/leotard thing. The dancers move so much the pads show/slip, leak during a class. It's' insanely stressful when you're 11 or 12 or 13 and have your period. She's already tried tampons but it's taking some getting used to - dancers don't wear underwear - the tights are the underwear. Leotards are not very wide "down there". She is experimenting with tan underwear during that week of the month.

So this studio is offering the girls an opportunity to cover themselves and perhaps worry less about staining/pads showing, etc. (although obviously everyone will know "it's that time of the month" anyway b/c of the skirt).

Otherwise, a ballet teacher has to see their lines (hip alignment etc) and a skirt makes that very difficult. Thus, no skirts at any other time.

Hope this answer will put this silly thread to rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok people, chill. Here's the reason for the black skirt policy.

DD is a serious ballet dancer. Her studio isn't as strict as those quoted here but dancers there seem to naturally want to wear coverups as they hit puberty.

Re: the skirt - here's the low down. If you'll re-read the quote it says dancers are permitted to wear a black skirt during that time of month - they don't have to, it's an option and here's why.

DD, who's between 11 and 12 just got her second period. She's been stressed with the whole tights/leotard thing. The dancers move so much the pads show/slip, leak during a class. It's' insanely stressful when you're 11 or 12 or 13 and have your period. She's already tried tampons but it's taking some getting used to - dancers don't wear underwear - the tights are the underwear. Leotards are not very wide "down there". She is experimenting with tan underwear during that week of the month.

So this studio is offering the girls an opportunity to cover themselves and perhaps worry less about staining/pads showing, etc. (although obviously everyone will know "it's that time of the month" anyway b/c of the skirt).

Otherwise, a ballet teacher has to see their lines (hip alignment etc) and a skirt makes that very difficult. Thus, no skirts at any other time.

Hope this answer will put this silly thread to rest.

Yeah, well, I think the idea of a kid being insanely stressed over her period and ballet means the teachers are worrying a little bit too much about those "lines" and there should be more flexibility over what a kid can wear. And, okay, let's say the kids are so good they're going to make it in the NY ballet or whatever ballet dancers aspire to, and those lines are really important, why can't they wear shorts? That weird rulebook said: SHORTS ARE NEVER ALLOWED. (all caps and emphasis theirs). In ballet, when you're lifting one leg above your head, WTF is a skirt going to hide???? At least shorts would actually provide some coverage. The more I learn about ballet, though, the less I like it. I am thankful for this thread, which will direct me AWAY from ballet for my girls.

[Anonymous]

I was the pp that post the "gem" about the black skirt and others... I thought it was a gem not because girls are allowed to wear black skirt while they are having their period - I understood the reasons for that and personally, I agree. But I thought it was utterly amusing that they used the term "that time of the month." That was all...lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was the pp that post the "gem" about the black skirt and others... I thought it was a gem not because girls are allowed to wear black skirt while they are having their period - I understood the reasons for that and personally, I agree. But I thought it was utterly amusing that they used the term "that time of the month." That was all...lol

Actually, I think he wrote that "time" of the month. Even funnier!