Few activities call to little girls so strongly as ballet. From a young age, many girls dream of being a graceful ballerina, standing en-pointe, performing a flawless jeté, and holding everyone’s rapturous attention from the stage. And what a beautiful dream that is!
Unfortunately, not every little dreamer gets to cultivate that passion. But if you have an aspiring ballerina and want to give her the best chance of success, you need to know that it all starts with the proper dancewear!
Equipping your child with proper dance gear from the start can make a huge difference in her decision to pursue ballet. If your child shows up to class with improper or ill-fitting dancewear, she may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed or even hurt herself! This situation has led many talented girls to give up their dreams before they even start.
That’s why equipping your child with the correct dancewear from day one is so important!
But if you’re as new to the ballet scene as your would-be ballerina, figuring out which dancewear is the best choice can be confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you choose the correct dancewear to help your child dance comfortably and safely while fostering a love for ballet.
Choosing the Right Ballet Shoes
The most crucial part of any ballet ensemble is the shoes. Ballet shoes are uniquely designed to support your child’s feet during ballet’s distinct moves. They’re both flexible and supportive in a way that regular tennis shoes or other dance shoes aren’t, so choosing shoes that are up to the task is imperative.
But if you’ve done any research on ballet shoes, you’ve probably seen canvas, satin, and leather options with split-soles and full-soles…and wondered what the difference is! Let’s go ahead and break down the pros and cons of each.
Pros & Cons of Canvas Ballet Shoes
Canvas ballet slippers are an excellent choice for several reasons. First, canvas is easier to clean than leather or satin, and you can even toss canvas ballet shoes in the washing machine! That alone can be a deciding factor! Additionally, due to the thinner material, they tend to be less expensive than leather shoes and don’t take as long to break in. This thinner material also allows more flexibility for advanced foot forms.
On the downside, canvas shoes can wear out much faster than leather ballet shoes. (However, if your child is actively growing, they will likely outgrow a high-quality canvas shoe before it wears out.)
Pros & Cons of Satin Ballet Shoes
Satin ballet slippers are by far the most attractive option, and they’re likely the one your child associates with ballet. These lovely shoes typically have matching ribbons and look fabulous for performances and competitions. They can also be relatively price-effective.
But these are not the shoes you want for day-to-day practice. Due to the delicate fabric, satin slippers wear out very quickly, so they’re best used for special occasions.
Pros & Cons of Leather Ballet Slippers
Out of all the slipper types, leather ballet slippers are the most durable. Even if your child dances frequently, they will take a long time to wear through these. Leather also offers good support and cushioning, which may make a big difference for young dancers still developing their skills and endurance.
On the downside, leather slippers are more expensive than satin or canvas, and the thick material can limit breathability, leading to sweaty feet. The thicker material can also limit flexibility, which may hinder dancers looking to advance their moves.
Full-Sole Ballet Shoes Vs. Split-Sole Ballet Shoes
Full-sole ballet slippers typically feature one continuous sole along the bottom of the shoe, offering plenty of support from toe to heel. Split-sole ballet shoes have a gap in the arch, putting the traction points on the pad of the foot and the heel.
Full-sole ballet shoes are an excellent option for beginners because they offer better arch support and stability than their split-sole counterparts. The thick sole across the foot can also prevent and correct form issues, like clawed toes, by giving your child more structure and support. They also tend to be more durable than split soles, but that can vary by material.
On the downside, full-sole ballet slippers offer less flexibility than split soles, which your child may need as she progresses to more advanced techniques. They also look less polished, which can be a downside for performances.
Which Ballet Shoes Should I Pick?
As a general rule, many younger dancers prefer the support and cushioning of full-sole leather ballet shoes while they get used to the moves, and more advanced dancers prefer split-sole canvas because of the added flexibility.
While canvas is typically less expensive, we try to minimize the cost difference in all our girls’ dance shoes at Stelle so you can always provide your child with the high-quality gear that’s right for her.
If you still have questions, we recommend checking with your child’s teacher to see what they recommend for your child’s specific class.
Picking Out the Perfect Leotards
Now, on to the next piece of dancing business: leotards! Your child will have many options for her leotards, from the color and the style to the length of her sleeves. And, of course, there’s the vital decision of the tutu.
Make Comfort the Priority
The most important thing to consider is whether your child is comfortable! Comfort always trumps style because an ill-fitting ballet leotard can inhibit your little dancer’s moves or make her self-conscious about it falling off. Not to mention, hot or itchy fabric makes even the most fun activity a bad one.
We highly recommend a soft, stretchy, and breathable leotard for your child’s first one. A blend of high-quality cotton and spandex is the perfect way to ensure that your child’s leotard is form-fitting yet flexible and wicks away any sweat.
Tutu or No Tutu?
Now, let’s talk about skirts. Your child might have visions of tutu-clad ballerinas dancing in her head…but is that practical?
Sadly, a tutu skirt might not be the most practical choice for your daughter’s first class. While they are cute, those first classes focus strongly on fundamental ballet forms and movements, and a tutu can make it difficult for your child’s teacher to assess her correctly. Additionally, tutus can be distracting and uncomfortable at first, making them more trouble than they are worth.
But there are exceptions to this rule. Tutu skirts are often standard attire for performances and recitals, especially once your child gets a good grasp of the basics. So, it might not be a bad idea to purchase a leotard with a detachable tutu so your child can get used to it between practices and have one ready for performances. And, once she’s advanced, she’ll likely have more choice in whether or not to wear one to practice.
If in doubt, double-check the dance school’s dress code or ask the teacher if there are specific uniform requirements for your child’s class.
Long, Short, or No Sleeves?
The final thing to consider is the sleeve length. For beginners, we typically recommend sleeveless or short-sleeved options so your child’s teacher can clearly see her arms and correct her technique. On the other hand, sleeveless leotards give your child the greatest range of movement and can be a bit more comfortable in general.
However, if it’s winter or the dance studio is cold, you’ll want a long-sleeve leotard for her dancing wardrobe!
Otherwise, you can’t really go wrong with the sleeve length unless her teacher has specific requirements.
Selecting Flawless-Fitting Ballet Tights
The final piece of this ballet outfit puzzle is the dance tights. Ballet tights are vital to every ballet ensemble because they complete the look and keep your child warm during class!
Unfortunately, you can’t just pull a pair from your daughter’s drawer and slip those under her leotard. You should choose ballet tights designed for comfort and performance to help her reach her full potential!
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Footed tights are usually the best choice for young dancers, but convertible tights have great versatility.
- A nylon and Lycra blend is the most popular material for ballet tights because it’s comfy, durable, and stretchy. It typically performs better than full cotton tights.
- Make sure the tights fit snugly but not uncomfortably so your child can move confidently. The waistband should be secure without digging in.
- Dance schools traditionally prefer pink and neutral skin tones because they look polished and professional.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have no problem finding a high-quality pair of tights your little dancer loves!
Ready to Find the Perfect Dancewear?
Now that you know what to look for, we invite you to dive into Stelle’s collection of children’s dancewear! This is where our brand began, and we take pride in providing your children with high-quality dancing gear that fosters their love for ballet!
All of our leotards, tights, and shoes are made with performance-ready materials and emphasize comfort so your little ballerina can enjoy every class.
Take a peek today, and find the perfect outfit for your future dancing star!
