DRESS CODES

​Dear Parents: Each year we are challenged in regards to our dress codes. We would like to ask for your support and help in this area.  Dance classes are most commonly affected with students occasionally showing up in the wrong attire, but mainly showing up without hair properly tied back. When teachers have to take time to fix a student's hair, this takes time away from the class. A good rule of thumb is that students should be able to get through an entire dance class without touching their hair. Otherwise, it is not fixed properly. Thank you for your help!

Reasons for Dress Codes in Dance:
                                                          
1. Proper dress is a visual reminder that students are part of a special group.

2. Uniformity limits distractions and allows students to focus and concentrate on developing  new skills.

3. Dress codes in dance look more professional and are part of the long history of dance.

4. Color or style specifications with leotards, tights and shoes, may differ only slightly, but can denote a student’s level. Students are very aware of subtle details. Seeing older students in slightly different dress may not seem like a big deal to adults, but it gives students something to look forward to and work towards. Seeing younger students in different dress gives older students an opportunity to be looked up to and may motivate them to be good role models.

5. Dance involves discipline, respect, focus, and hard work. Dress codes are a part of that.

6. Proper dress helps teachers to make important corrections with placement, lines, etc.

7. Older ballet and jazz students need to be in only leotards (and no skirts) because of reason #6. Unfortunately many girls seem to begin having self esteem issues somewhere between ages 9-12. Not wearing skirts beginning at age 6 allows students to get comfortable in just a leotard and tights before the critical self esteem ages hit.

*In general, having a dress code teaches students to take responsibility for themselves and their appearance. It also helps maintain a level of professionalism for the business.

THIS SEASON 2020-2021 WILL HAVE DIFFERENT DRESS CODES THAN NORMAL! PLEASE DO NOT BUY ANY DANCE WEAR UNTIL YOU HAVE SPOKEN WITH US AND KNOW WHICH CLASSES YOUR DANCER WILL BE TAKING. WE ARE COLOR CODING CLASSES AND KEEPING IN MIND THAT MANY HAVE BEEN FINANCIALLY AFFECTED BY COVID-19. THESE COLOR CODED LEOTARDS WILL BE USED IN OUR END OF SEASON PERFORMANCES ALLOWING US TO SIMPLIFY AND SAVE MONEY ON SHOW COSTUMES. WE HOPE EVERYONE WILL FIND THIS HELPFUL!

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Boogie Babies/combo I Dress Code

Boogie Babies (Ages 3-4) & Combo I (Ages 4-5)
Solid pastel color or black leotard. Pink, White, or Tan tights. Leather ballet slippers can be pink, white or black. 
NOTE: Combo 1 will need white ballet shoes to perform with us in the May end of year show.
* No Underwear under leotard. That is what tights are for!
* Hair needs to be secured in a bun or twist. A headband must be worn with bobby pins or barrettes to hold them in place. We have headbands for only $1.00 in a variety of colors :)
* No long earrings or other jewelry. Only small stud earrings are allowed. 
  *Short skirts in pastel or black may be worn as long as they do not become a distraction.

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Combo II (AGES 6-7)

Solid Black or Pink Leotard. NO skirts. Pink, White, or Tan tights.
White leather ballet slippers. Black patent leather tap shoes.                                                         
*NO underwear under leotard. That is what tights are for!
*Hair needs to be secured in a bun or twist. A headband must be worn with bobby pins or barretts to hold them in place. We have headbands for only $1.00 in a variety of colors:)

*No long earrings or other jewelry. Only small stud earrings are allowed. 
*No skirts     

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Combo III (Ages 6-7)

Same as Combo 2 only with Pink full sole leather ballet slippers and tan jazz shoes. 
Pink, Tan or Black tights.         

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Combo IV

Solid Black or Burgundy Leo. NO skirts. Pink full sole ballet slippers. Tan jazz shoes. Pink, Tan or Black tights.

*NO underwear under leotard. That is what tights are for! If underwear must be worn, they should be nude color or match the color of the leotard and be pulled up high enough that we do not see underwear lines. We have nude seamless underwear for sale in the lobby.

*Hair needs to be secured in a bun or twist. A headband must be worn with bobby pins or barretts to hold them in place. We have headbands for only $1.00 in a variety of colors:)

*No long earrings or other jewelry. Only small stud earrings are allowed. 

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Ballet, Jazz and Modern

GIRLS – HAIR- Long hair should be completely up in a bun or twist. Shorter hair needs to be pulled back into a short ponytail with sides secured. If hair is too short for ponytail then sides should be pulled back out of face. No long pieces hanging down.  Learning to turn among other things is impossible when you keep getting hit in the eyes with your hair.

LEOTARD - Solid Black or Burgundy

TIGHTS - Pink, Black, or Tan  

SHOES – Full sole Ballet Shoes for students in their 1st or 2nd year of ballet. Split sole ballet shoes for students with more than 2 years consecutive experience, Tan Split Sole Jazz Shoes, Footless or convertible tights for modern

*NO SKIRTS, BIKE SHORTS, OR UNITARDS * No Leg Warmers or additional accessories.

BOYS DRESS CODES for COMBO, BALLET, JAZZ and MODERN Classes:

*Solid FORM FITTING (like under armor) white black or gray T-shirt or Tank top

*BLACK FORM FITTING bike shorts

 *Black Leather Ballet and Jazz Shoes. No Shoes needed for Modern

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Tap, Hip Hop and Adult

TAP (Ages 8 and up) – Same as above.

GIRLS-Short SOLID Black tap shorts with no writing on the behind are allowed. Tan Merry Jane Style Tap Shoes.

BOYS- Black Jazz Pants, Black or Gray Sweat Pants are allowed. Black oxford style tap shoes.

HIP HOP
* Clothing should not be baggy.  No Jeans. No short shorts unless tights or bike shorts are worn underneath. No pajama pants. Tops should be stretchy and comfortable. Underwear should not be seen! Black dance sneakers. Long hair should be pulled back off of face and neck. Sides of hair and bangs should be secured regardless of hair length. Knee pads, leg warmers or something to cover knees should be brought to class.

Boys Club – Same as Hip Hop.

*Open Adult Classes – Dance wear is recommended with appropriate footwear.

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Acting and Voice Dress Codes 

Acting & Voice Classes – Comfortable clothes that are modest and do not restrict movement. No half tops, low cut tops, or short shorts. Undergarments should not be visible when standing or sitting down. Shoes may need to be removed in dance studios.

ADULT JAZZ CLASS DRESS CODE
Comfortable clothes that you can easily move in. Jazz shoes can be ordered from Forte Studios and usually take one week for delivery. Socks and bare feet are fine to get started!