Why do ballet classes "force" you to purchase ballet uniform?

[Anonymous]

My daughter took a ballet class at her pre-school and we had to buy pink leotard, tights and slippers. She was 2.5, but since all the girls in her class were doing it, I sucked it up.

Fast forward less than a year later and she is in a new daycare with a ballet option, but they wanted white and lavendar - so more $$$.

Now, my daughter wants to take a class at a local ballet school and although she still fits in both her old outfits (we purposely bought everything a little big), they require a specific brand and color. I checked a couple other places with the same crazy requirements. These are classes for 4 year olds, not seasoned ballerinas!

Does anyone else think this is nuts?

[Anonymous]

Requiring a specific brand is nuts. Having all the kids wearing the same color combination strikes me as a fine idea, though I can't quite put my finger on why.

[Anonymous]

I think it is easier for the instructor to see whether or not all of the kids are doing the moves right. Still, my DDs ballet school changed up the colors between 3 and 4 which I find completely annoying because DD still has plenty of wear left in her current leotards.

[Anonymous]

This is why I've resisted signing DD up for ballet classes. I will say that I think places like Little Gym and the local rec centers do not have these requirements. I can't imagine what use there is to having the same color combination - if it's appropriate for ballet (leotard, tights, shoes), then that should be good enough.

The hair requirements kill me also, because DD's hair is too long to be considered short, too short to put up into a tight bun, and too curly to ever look "sleek."

[Anonymous]

Just don't. We did a ballet class at the Reston Conservatory and I bought all the accoutrements. One mom simply did not. She brought her daughter in shorts and a t-shirt and the girl's older brother's black ballet shoes. The child was the only one not dressed in a pink tutu and tights, but the only people who noticed were the adults.

[Anonymous]

Op, come on, use common sense. Just get the color they request (heck, go to target). Do you really think that they will check the tag on your 4 yo's leotard and even if they do, so you think they will kick her out???

[Anonymous]

I just signed my 5 year old up for her first class. She is super excited. Our information packet said, "Solid color leotard and ballet shoes recommended but not required." We are doing the standard pink and black set up from Target. You must go to a fancier school than us!

[Anonymous]

Traditional, classical ballet schools always have some sort of uniform. It is part of the ballet culture. Usually the colors change between levels. At the older ages especially it is a visible sign of achievement as they progress in skills. It would seem strange to me to change colors between the preschool set. They are all doing some version of creative movement, so let them all wear pink I am sure there are other reasons why ballet studios require uniforms. Someone more versed in classical ballet could probably tell you why.

There are many schools with looser uniform requirements, especially for the little ones. You just need to look at a broader variety of dance studios, and stay clear of the classical ballet schools if you are bothered by a uniform requirement.

[Anonymous]

My DD loved the rec center class until the day they performed in front of the parents. We were taking her out to buy clothes and instead of the tutu, she insisted on a too-large nightgown with butterflies on it. No one cared except maybe one of the snarkier adults. She did go along just fine with the shoes though.

Some of her classmates just kept taking the same class over and over. If DD can get through the parent "performance" w/o running to us mid-course, we'll switch to a more formal class where the teacher can explain to her why they need a uniform.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has studied ballet for years I have been told that the black leotard/pink tights combo helps the instructor see your position, form, and muscles. (I wore black/pint for 20+ years. Still wear it.) It makes sense to me that some kind of tights/leotard would be important at any age (good form starts at the beginning and ballet is *all* about form) but I think the color issue is really mostly tradition. I would definitely not wear shorts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has studied ballet for years I have been told that the black leotard/pink tights combo helps the instructor see your position, form, and muscles. (I wore black/pint for 20+ years. Still wear it.) It makes sense to me that some kind of tights/leotard would be important at any age (good form starts at the beginning and ballet is *all* about form) but I think the color issue is really mostly tradition. I would definitely not wear shorts.

I did ballet for years. Dancers wear muscles like clothes. Tights are worn under the leotard and once a kid actually is in a real class they don't wear panties. The shorts , wraps, sweats, t shirts are used for 2 things: warmth as ADVANCED or PRO classes begin and keeping warm on breaks. Another use is hiding the body for weight, stomach , etc. The instructor can see more quickly in a class in pink than black tights. Many studios have little kids wear light leotards - but that stops as girls mature.

It would be nice if a studio had the same color for similar ages/levels to avoid extra purchases.

[Anonymous]

Just suck it up.

If this is an issue now don't put her in. We have one on team try paying 300this a month plus costume fees. Point shoes at 100 plus much more

[Anonymous]

My daughter is at the Dance Institute of Washington, and they're not as strict on the uniform as I thought they would be, given the tone on the website. The little girls all wear black leotards, but some have skirts, some don't, some are short-sleeved, some long, etc. Some wear pink tights, some beige, some white.

[Anonymous]

No different than soccer or baseball. Buy the uniform.

[Anonymous]

pink and black I get - that's the classic uniform, it's easy to find in a lot of stores, and gets kids used to the idea of dressing appropriately for certain occasions. White/lavender sounds cracked-out to me - I'd think it would be hard to find a lavender leotard, and it would annoy me to have to try.

I bought my two-year-old pink/black stuff as requested for her ballet/tap classes. The only thing I resent was buying tap shoes that she'll outgrow before her next tap class. She literally wore those shoes for about 15 minutes at a time for 8 weeks. Annoying.

funny, but someone on my ex's side gave our daughter a really ugly magenta pink fuzzy velour leotard. It is hideous. My ex was like, "hey, she can wear this to class." I said, "no she can't. it doesn't fit the dress code." He thought I was yanking his chain. (hell, i was just glad to not have to say, "she's not wearing that in public on MY watch.")