Attire, Hair, & Jewelry

We welcome students of all gender identities and gender expressions. We recognize that traditional dance dress codes are often based on a binary understanding of gender, with different attire requirements for male- and female-identifying dancers. At All That Dance, students are free to choose any combination of the attire options listed for their class genre/level. These guidelines are designed with everyone’s safety and comfort as our top priority. If you have any questions, please ask your teacher.

Our attire guidelines are designed to help dancers move safely, comfortably, and confidently while allowing teachers to clearly see alignment and provide corrections. Dance involves stretching, inversions, floor work, jumps, and partnering, so clothing should stay securely in place and allow dancers to move without needing to adjust their attire. Appropriate coverage also allows teachers to give physical corrections comfortably and professionally.

General requirements for all classes:

  • Attire: Wear dance or exercise clothing that allows for freedom of movement and allows teachers to see alignment. Leotards and tights, or shorts/leggings with a T-shirt or tank, are encouraged for all classes unless otherwise stated. Tops should stay securely in place or be tucked in; if wearing a top that reveals the midriff, please wear a leotard underneath. Athletic undergarments, such as a sports bra or dance belt, may also be appropriate.

  • Shorts: Shorts should come to approximately mid-thigh. Shorter shorts may cause limitations or risks during floor work and should be worn over tights.

  • Hair: Long hair should be secured in a ponytail, bun, or other hairstyle that allows for safe movement. Short hair should be styled away from the face. Please check that all hair clips, pins,  and bands will stay in place securely. Teachers and staff are happy to show dancers and caregivers how to properly secure hair for class.

  • Watches & Jewelry: Jewelry can be distracting or potentially dangerous when dancing. Smart watches must be set to Do Not Disturb during class. Students will be asked to take off jewelry if it becomes an issue. 

  • Fragrances & Lotions: Out of consideration for others and for the care of our floors, avoid heavily scented products such as body oil, lotion, and perfume. Deodorant or antiperspirant is encouraged.

  • Gum: Gum is not allowed inside the classroom. Please dispose of it before entering the studio.

  • Shoes: Wear the appropriate shoes for class, or dance barefoot when specified. Tights only or socks without shoes are too slippery and unsafe for dancing. Proper footwear for each class is listed below.

Shoes by Class

  • Toddler Dance: Bare feet.

  • Kids Yoga: Bare feet.

  • Creative Ballet: Bare feet or ballet shoes with elastic.

  • Adaptive Dance: Dancers are encouraged to wear what feels most supportive to move in - barefoot, tennis shoes, dance shoes, along with any accessibility devices, that will support participation in class. 

  • Ballet/Tap: Both ballet shoes with elastic and black tap shoes with tap ties or elastic straps. On ballet shoes, elastics will be double-knotted and cut for safety.

  • Pop Styles/Modern: Clean sneakers designated for indoor use only and bare feet.

  • Pop Styles/Tap: Both black tap shoes with tap ties or elastic straps and clean sneakers designated for indoor use only.

  • Jazz/Tap: Both black tap shoes with tap ties or elastic straps and black jazz shoes.

  • Tap: Tap shoes are required, with a preference for taps fastened with screws rather than nails. Any color may be worn for class; black is required for performances. For younger students, laces may be replaced with elastic—see your dancer’s teacher for guidance. Level VI+ dancers may be required to purchase heeled tap shoes.

  • Jazz: Jazz shoes are required; sneakers are not permitted. Any color may be worn for class; black is required for performances. Teen Jazz VII dancers may be required to purchase tan character shoes.

  • Lyrical: Beginning Lyrical 9+, Teen Beginning Lyrical, Teen Lyrical I, and Teen Lyrical II may wear half-sole lyrical footwear or “FootUndeez.” Any color may be worn for class; skin tone is required for performances. Teen Lyrical III+classes will dance barefoot.

  • Pop Styles: Clean sneakers designated for indoor use only are required to keep our floors clean and free from dirt.

  • Modern: Modern is danced barefoot.

  • ATD Ensemble: Any soft soled dance shoe or bare feet.

  • Ballet: See Ballet attire requirements below for specific shoe requirements by level.

Borrow Bins

We have borrow bins with dance shoes available in both our upstairs and downstairs lobbies. Dancers are welcome to borrow shoes for as long as they need them and return them when they are finished. We also accept donations of gently used dance shoes at any time to help replenish our borrow bins. Our motto is ‘take a pair, leave a pair.’

Class-Specific Attire

Toddler Dance & Kids Yoga: Leggings, shorts, t-shirts - any clothing that you and your dancer can easily move in. For tots, bare feet are best. Socks with grips and ballet shoes are allowed, but tights only or regular socks are too slippery for little ones. For adults, bare feet or socks, and, if any orthopedic issues, clean sneakers or dance shoes are welcome.

Creative Ballet & Combo Dance: Leotard and tights or shorts, leggings and a T-shirt.

Beginning Ballet (5+, 7+, 10+), Ballet I, Ballet II, Ballet III: Leotard or fitted top in any solid color. Footed ballet tights (pink or flesh-toned) or fitted dance-specific pants/mid-length bike shorts/leggings and ballet shoes that color-coordinate with tights/leggings/pants option. Ballet skirts are optional. Supportive dance briefs/belt as necessary.

Ballet IV-VII: Hair pulled back and secured off the neck/face (such as a ballet bun or comparable updo). Leotard or fitted top in any solid color. Footed ballet tights (pink or flesh-toned) or fitted dance-specific pants/mid-length bike shorts/leggings and ballet shoes that match tights, leggings or pants. Ballet skirts are optional. Dance belt or other supportive undergarments as necessary.

Teen Beginning Ballet, Teen Ballet I, and Teen Intermediate Ballet: Any of the above listed attire and shoe options.

Pointe: Same attire options as for Ballet IV-VII, although convertible tights are highly recommended. Appropriate demi- or full pointe shoes to match tights.

Classes not listed in Class-Specific Attire section are to follow guidelines listed under “General Requirements for All Classes”.

If you have specific questions, please ask your dancer’s teacher.