2024-2025 DRESS CODE

We recommend purchasing your dancewear and shoes at
FOOTLIGHTS Dance & Theatre Boutique
306 E. Church St. Frederick, MD 21701
www.DanceFootlights.com
301-696-1558

EARLY YEARS DRESS CODE:
Tiny Tots, PreKinder and KDanz should purchase their SHOES AT FOOTLIGHTS and dress code specific ATTIRE AT THE LINK BELOW
CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DRESS CODE FOR TINY TOTS, PREKINDER & KDANZ

*WEE DANCE* – new for 2024
Girls should wear a pink leotard and pink tights. Boys should wear black shorts and white shirt. Ballet shoes are optional. Dancers can wear socks or go barefoot. No dress code for participating adult.

What is the benefit of having a Dress Code?

1. Helps a dancer understand they are going to a structured class (compared to unstructured playtime). When dancers put on their uniform, they get into a specific mindset before dance class.
2. Ensures that the clothing is not a distraction during class. Costume type outfits can be distracting and young dancers cannot focus for the duration of the class.
3. Ensures that the dancer is appropriately dressed. As teachers we need to be able to see dancers’ bodies and make necessary corrections. When dancers are in dress code you can easily make changes.
4. Ensures that each dancer has the same brand, style and color of shoes and tights for on stage performances. Uniformity on stage during a performance starts with dress code. We want everyone to be in the same shoes, tights, costume and hair style at recital and a standard dress code sets the tone in class each week.

Note on shoe requirements:  The shoes noted are the shoes required for classes and performances.  Please make every effort to have the proper shoes within 4 weeks of starting classes.

All students are required to wear appropriate dance attire.  Close-fitting clothing permits instructor to see problems and make corrections. Hair must be tied back away from face (we suggest a ponytail or bun for long hair, dancers with shorter hair should pin back sides away from face).  No bracelets, dangling earrings, necklaces, or watches.  Students who do not follow the dress code requirements will not be permitted to take class.  Instructor decision is final.

We suggest dancers bring a small dance bag into the dance studio, so tap/ballet shoes can be stored out of the way and aren’t misplaced when changing from style to style.  An inexpensive small bag is available at the studio.

Early Years Classes

GIRLS:   Solid color leotard (any style), pink footed or transition tights.  No detachable skirts, leotards with designs or costumes are allowed.  Approved leotards with attached skirts are permitted for Tiny Tots, PreKinder and KDanz only. CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DRESS CODE FOR TINY TOTS, PREKINDER & KDANZ

BOYS – black jazz pants or jazz shorts, white or black fitted t-shirt, white socks.

Shoes:

Other Youth Classes

GIRLS:   Choice of either a leotard & tights OR leotard & solid color jazz pants, fitted jazz shorts, or capris.  Fitted tank tops may be worn over leotards or sports bras. Outdoor sportswear such as gym shorts, sweatpants, or t-shirts are not permitted. In the winter months ballet sweaters and/or knit shorts will be allowed on chilly days.

BOYS – black jazz pants or jazz shorts, white or black fitted t-shirt, white socks.

Hip Hop students please dress for fun.  Ex: jogger pants, capris, sweatpants, jazz shorts. You may include reasonable street wear as an option.  No hats or jeans, please.

Shoes:

Helpful Hints for Parents of Young Dancers

Shoes which fit properly are fundamental to the learning process. We encourage parents to provide dancers with quality dance wear and shoes, so they can benefit fully from their dance classes.  Footlights Dance & Theatre Boutique is an excellent source for dance supplies.

Ballet shoes – we discourage wearing used ballet shoes or purchasing ballet shoes several sizes too large in hopes that they can be worn for several years. Ballet shoes should fit exactly (almost like a pair of socks), so that teachers can see problems and make corrections.  There are many excellent brand names available — we suggest a split-sole style. Elastics on ballet shoes should be sewn with one strap at the ankle.

Tap shoes – Bloch and SoDanca have a good sounding taps and quality brands for younger dancers.

We can’t stress enough the importance of having good quality shoes that fit (not too big, not too small).  If you’re looking for the best place to invest your “dance attire dollars” — it’s in shoes.  Good shoes are essential.

Ballet & Technique Classes (Junior & Teen)

In the winter months ballet sweaters and/or knit shorts will be allowed on chilly days.  No sweatshirts or t-shirts.

Tights: Pink transition tights

Shoes:  Pink leather ballet shoes (females), black (males). Elastics on the shoe should be sewn with one strap at the ankle (required for recital).

Females – hair in bun WITH HAIR NET for all ballet & technique classes.

Jr. Ballet Classes (females)

Teen Ballet Classes

Male Dress Code – All Ballet Classes

Required dress – black stretch leggings, white or black fitted t-shirt, black ballet shoes.  Black canvas ballet shoes w/ black or white socks. Other options per instructor.

Technique Classes

Junior – black leotard, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes or DancePaws, any light color waist elastic.  Yoga clothes first class of the month.

Advanced – black leotard, pink or black tights, pink ballet shoes or DancePaws.  Yoga clothes first class of the month.

Other Options/Requirements

Ballet sweaters, knit shorts, and fitted leg warmers are permitted during colder months. Bulky clothing such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, or novelty shorts not permitted.  Ballet skirts are allowed in all Teen Ballet classes (optional).  Students who do not follow the dress code requirements will not be permitted to take class.  Instructor decision is final.

Dress Code for Teen and Adult Classes

TEEN ATTIRE

Baggy attire such as sweatpants or t-shirts are not permitted (with the exception of hip hop). All students are expected to wear standard dancewear for class such as leotards, jazz/yoga pants, camisole tops, capris, bike shorts or fitted boy shorts – solid colors only, no prints or patterns.

Hip Hop students please dress for fun.  Ex: jogger pants, capris, sweatpants, jazz shorts. You may include reasonable street wear as an option.  No hats or jeans, please.

ADULT ATTIRE

Please dress comfortably for ease of movement.  Dance attire is your choice – a good option is jazz pants or yoga clothes while others will choose tights and leotard for ballet.