Why Is Dancewear & Uniforms Important?

There is value and importance to dance attire. Please see below an explanation of why proper dance attire is used at North Shore Academy of Dancing as well as a reference by genre of the items required.

Each genre of dance has a specific dress code to promote the culture, energy and focus of that style of dance. Range of movement is important while learning dance and therefore a certain style of clothing and a specific footwear is required to encourage movement with ease and traction on the dance floor.

It is encouraged to have a designated dance bag specific to carrying the essential dance items such as various dance shoes, extra pair of tights, extra hair accessories, water, and a healthy snack for before or after class. For young dancers this is a fun element to coming to class, having them feel well organized and responsible for their special dance items. For a senior dancer, it is essential to be well-prepared with a practical space for keeping all dance items organized.

Performing is a huge aspect in dance. Performing happens both in the classroom within each exercise, as well as when a dancer is on the stage performing a piece of choreography. The clothing worn to class is just as important as the costumes worn on stage - it helps set the focus for both the learning and performing space. Hair is also included in this aspect, as unkept hair can be distracting in movements. Having your dancer arrive to class with a ponytail or bun is important to get the most out of their learning experience and to have fun while doing so. Being prepared for class allows the most opportunity for focus and learning.

BALLET 

R.A.D. Preschool

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be in a tidy bun/ponytail with hair away from face
  • Pale pink tank or short sleeve style leotard
  • Skin toned ballet tights
  • Pale pink leather ballet slippers (skin toned shoes are acceptable -gymnastic slippers are not acceptable and no split soles)

BOYS:

  • A white top
  • Black fitted shorts or leggings
  • Black leather ballet shoes (no gymnastic slippers)

R.A.D. Pre-Primary and Primary

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be in a tidy bun/ponytail with hair away from face
  • Pale pink tank or short sleeve style leotard
  • Pale pink ballet tights (example: Mondor: #E6 light pink)
  • Pale pink leather ballet slippers with elastic (no gymnastic slippers, no split sole)
  • Pale pink semi-sheer gathered skirt

BOYS:

  • A white top
  • Black fitted shorts or leggings
  • Black canvas ballet shoes

R.A.D. Grade 1, 2, 3

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be in a tidy bun with a hair net and pins
  • SoDanca SL03 Leotard - Geranium Lake (colour style: 237) *please note this is a new brand, to help reduce costs to our families
  • Ballet pink or Skin toned ballet tights
  • Pale pink or skin toned canvas split sole ballet slippers with elastics
  • Character shoes & Character skirt. The skirt must be full circle in black broadcloth with 3 sets of ribbon trim at the bottom edge (Pale pink, Geranium, & Red). Hem of skirt should be approximately three inches below the knee.

BOYS:

  • A white top
  • Black fitted shorts or leggings
  • Black canvas ballet shoes

R.A.D. Grades 4 and 5

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be in a tidy bun with a hair net and pins
  • SoDanca SL03 Leotard - Red (colour style: 07) *please note this is a new brand, to help reduce costs to our families
  • Ballet pink or Skin toned ballet tights
  • Pale pink or skin toned canvas split sole ballet slippers with elastics
  • Character shoes & Character skirt. The skirt must be full circle in black broadcloth with 3 sets of ribbon trim at the bottom edge (Pale pink, Geranium, & Red). Hem of skirt should be approximately three inches below the knee.

BOYS:

  • A white top
  • Black fitted shorts or leggings
  • Black ballet shoes

Open Ballet, Performance Ballet and Pointe Classes

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be in a tidy bun with a hair net and pins
  • Black colour leotard, any classical style
  • Ballet pink or Skin toned ballet tights
  • Pale pink or skin toned canvas split sole ballet slippers with elastics
  • Pointe shoes with ribbons (If approved by teacher)
  • Wrap skirt (optional)

BOYS:

  • Motionwear white tank (7198-481) or t-shirt sytle (7207-481) fitted top
  • Black fitted shorts or leggings
  • Black canvas split sole ballet shoes with elastics sewn, with black socks

R.A.D. Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate & Advanced Foundation

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be in a tidy bun with a hair net and pins
  • SoDanca SL03 Leotard - Black (colour style: 01) *please note this is a new brand, to help reduce costs to our families
  • Ballet pink or Skin toned ballet tights
  • Pale pink or skin toned canvas split sole ballet slippers with elastics (split soles allowed, Intermediate Foundation must have ribbons)
  • Pink satin or skin toned soft pointe shoes with ribbons for Intermediate and Advanced Foundation

BOYS:

  • Bodywrappers or Motionwear White t-shirt sytle fitted top
  • Black fitted shorts or leggings
  • Black canvas split sole ballet shoes with elastics sewn, with black socks

MODERN

I.S.T.D. Grade 6, Bronze and Silver

  • Hair must be tied back from face
  • Periwinkle/Purple - Ainsliewear Square Neck Velvet top leotard
  • Black dance shorts
  • Bare feet or foot undies

I.S.T.D. Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2

GIRLS:

  • Hair must be tied back from face
  • Black Leotard - Squareneck Tank strap
  • Black capris
  • Bare feet or foot undies

BOYS:

  • Motionwear 7198-491 Shadow Grey Tank
  • Black shorts
  • Bare feet or foot undies

JAZZ AND BROADWAY

All Performance Jazz or Broadway Classes and all other Jazz Classes

  • Hair must be tied back from face
  • Any colour/style leotard (Boys: either a fitted Bodywrappers or Motionwear t-shirt or tank - any colour)
  • Black dance shorts, pants or capris
  • Soft beige jazz shoes

CONTEMPORARY

Performance Classes and all Open Contemporary Classes

  • Hair must be tied back from face
  • Any colour/style dance leotard (Boys to wear a fitted top)
  • Black dance shorts, pants or capris
  • Foot undies or bare feet

LYRICAL

Performance Lyrical and all Open/Advanced Lyrical Classes

  • Hair must be tied back from face
  • Any colour/style dance leotard (Boys: either a fitted Bodywrappers or Motionwear t-shirt or tank - any colour)
  • Black dance shorts, pants or capris
  • Foot undies or bare feet

HIP HOP

Performance Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Video Dance, Smooth Groove and all other hip hop classes

  • Any loose fitting exercise clothes
  • Runners used exclusively for dance (i.e. no street shoes as it brings dirt into the dance studios)