Attending dance class properly dressed is part of the discipline students develop while learning how to dance with us at Debra Collier’s School of Dance. It’s extremely important for a dancer to be able to move without being hampered by loose hair and baggy clothing.
Proper attire also allows our dance instructors to view the body line of each dancer to ensure they are dancing safely and executing positions and choreography correctly. Our studio boutique offers everything your dancer will need and a staff to ensure the perfect fit!
The Benefits of a Dress Code
- The first step in a child becoming a dancer is to truly dress the part
- Makes sure clothing isn’t a distraction during dance class
- Ensures teachers can make necessary corrections to posture and form
Dress Code Guidelines for Each Class
Note: A leotard is the garment that covers the torso, while tights are the leg coverings worn with a leotard.
Mommy & Me
- Any loose-fitting clothing that is easy to move in or a one-piece leotard and tights.
- Attached or unattached, short skirts may also be worn.
- Clean sole shoes or ballet shoes – no sandals or flip flops.
Tiny Twos, Tiny Tots & Rising Stars
- Any color of one-piece leotard and any color of full-footed or convertible tights (no biker shorts). Attached or unattached, short skirts may also be worn.
- Any color of full-footed tights.
- Light pink, leather ballet shoes for girls and black leather ballet shoes for boys.
Ballet
- Any color of one-piece leotard without an attached tutu or full skirt.
- Full-footed or convertible tights in light pink or white (no biker shorts/capri tights).
- Light-pink, leather ballet shoes for girls and black leather ballet shoes for boys (split-soles are recommended for students above beginner level).
Jazz & Tap
- Any color of one-piece leotard without an attached tutu or full skirt.
- Any color of convertible or footless tights (no biker shorts or capri tights).
- For Jazz – black leather jazz boots.
- For Tap – black matte tap shoes (if strappy taps are not worn, replace the shoestrings with elastics).
- Black matte, boy-cut shorts are permitted but are not required
- No patent leather.
Modern & Contemporary
- Any color of one-piece leotard without an attached tutu or full skirt.
- Any color of convertible or footless tights (no biker shorts/capri tights).
- Nude dance soles.
Hip Hop
- One-piece leotard and tights OR dance pants, shorts, and shirts (no jeans or exposed midriffs).
- Clothing may be layered and worn over a leotard and tights.
- Black sequin hip hop jazz sneakers for girls and black canvas high-top sneakers for boys
- Black matte, boy-cut shorts are permitted but are not required
General Dress Code for Boys
- All classes except Hip Hop: Tight-fitting t-shirt which is to be tucked in and biker shorts or shorts with an elastic waist.
- Long pants, jeans of any type, baggy shirts, or loose-fitting shorts are NOT permitted.
- A dance belt for gentlemen ages 12 and above.
- For Hip Hop: Athletic shorts, athletic shirt or T-shirt, and black canvas high-top sneakers
Hair
- Hair MUST be secured to the head in a bun. Short hair should be pulled out of face and eyes using small clips or hairpins.
- For Mommy & Me, Tiny Twos, Tiny Tots, Rising Stars, and Hip Hop dance classes, student’s hair must be pulled off the neck in a ponytail or bun.
- Click here to view a video with instructions on how to put your child’s hair in a bun.
Our Virtual Boutique
We want to make it as easy as possible for your dancer to get everything they need. Our Virtual Boutique offers the shoes, leotards, tights, and more, delivered right to your door! To make sure your dancer’s shoes are the correct size, color, and style, we ask that all shoes be purchased through our Virtual Boutique. Visit https://www.shopnimbly.com/collierdance to see everything available for your child. Orders arrive in just a few days and there is no fee for exchanges.
Benefits of purchasing directly from our Virtual Boutique:
- Quality & Affordability – we offer a complete line of high-quality leotards and shoes from top manufacturers at an affordable price.
- Easy Exchange – contact our Virtual Boutique host, Nimbly, 24/7 at dancers@shopnimbly.com. You can also contact them through their call center Monday through Friday, 8:00-5:00 CDT: 800-985-2128. All exchanges will be handled by their staff.