Dress Code

A note for all dance styles (ages 3-18): You must have the appropriate footwear for each class. No bulky warm-ups or sweats for class, the instructor may ask you to take them off in order to participate in class. Some warm-ups are acceptable in winter months to keep muscles warm in cold weather, it is up to instructor discretion depending on weather and class material. No dangly earrings or necklaces are allowed in class, it can affect your ability to turn properly. A bun for long hair is mainly recommended as this also affects weight distribution and ability to turn (important for Levels I-V).

We understand life happens and dress code cannot always be met (hectic parent schedules, a dancewear item goes missing, etc), but if there are consistent dress code issues with a student, the office will reach out to parent/guardian first.  Any questions? Please reach out to the office and we’re happy to help with any dress code issues/questions!

*dance styles are listed alphabetically with Adult classes listed at the bottom

Ballet

Leotards: Leotard colors are based on level. All leotard colors are stocked within La Boutique. The appropriate colored level leotard should always be worn during weekly classes. MAD City (students on the studio competition team) may wear any colored leotard on Saturday rehearsals only. The dress code colors are as follows:

Pre-Ballet I: Light Pink

Pre-Ballet II: Lavender

Beginning Ballet: Candy/Hot Pink

Level I: Light Blue

Level II: Royal Blue 

Level III: Maroon/Burgundy

Level IV: Aubergine/Purple

Level V: Black

Tights: These are available for purchase in La Boutique. Please match your tights to shoes (skin tone tights to skin tone shoes, or pink tights to pink shoes). Available tight colors include: pink, tan/cashew, almond, hazelnut, and black.

Shoes: Proper ballet shoes are required, please inquire with a shoe fitter at a dancewear store (such as La Boutique within our Madison location). Buying the proper shoes promotes correct engagement in the foot and prevents injury (too big, too small, improper weight distribution). Please do not buy satin slippers for young dancers. These are often made of a cheap material and are slippery on the marley dance floor. Shoes may be purchased in pink, or check the stock at La Boutique to see if we have skin tone shoes available. If they are not in stock, ask La Boutique about ordering some in.

Hair: Dancers are required to have hair pulled back and off the face. Level II and up must have hair in a bun or secured tightly to the head (ex: french twist) for class. 

Boys: Please wear a white t-shirt, tank top, black tights or leggings, dance belt (depending on age, please inquire), and black ballet shoes. Dance belts are a necessary accessory for boys/men in dance to ensure proper support and protection when jumping and lifting. A consultant at La Boutique is happy to assist.

Pointe Shoes: A dancer may be fitted and allowed to purchase pre-pointe shoes and pointe shoes upon instructor approval only. Dancers are 12 years or older (this is important to growth progression in the child and injury prevention) or are technically capable/strong enough to stay safe en pointe if above 12 yrs.

Warm-ups: Wearing warm-ups for class may be weather dependent. For example, during winter, it can be important to wear warm-ups in between classes to keep body temperature up. Dance warm-ups such as shrugs or wraps may be worn in class. Baggy warm-ups are not allowed and if they impede the instructor’s ability to give corrections, students may be asked at instructor’s discretion to set their warm-ups aside (this mainly applies to Levels I-V). Dance appropriate warm-ups for little dancers can be found in La Boutique.

Jewelry: Necklaces, bracelets, and dangling earrings are not allowed in class. Please refrain from smart watches (especially for younger age groups) unless there is a health related reason. Instructors may ask dancers to put any jewelry or electronics into their bags.

Hip Hop

Clothing: Appropriate streetwear that is easy to move in. T-shirts, leggings, semi-fit pants, tank tops may be worn. Jeans, jean shorts,  skirts, and bikini tops are not allowed. No clothing with offensive/crude language please. 

Shoes: Sneakers/tennis shoes are acceptable- please do not bring a pair frequently worn outside (no dirt, rocks, sticks, glass, etc.), debris brought onto the marley floors can cause damage and potentially hurt dancers that train barefoot or in thin shoes. Slip on shoes such as slides, flip flops, or crocs are not allowed in class.

Jazz

Leotard: Please wear the leotard that correlates to your level of class. See the ballet section for the correct color to level requirement. 

Tights: Pink, tan, or skin tone tights.

Shoes: Tan or skin tone jazz shoes.

Warm-ups: Please refrain from warm-ups as much as possible. Spandex shorts, athletic pants, and form fitting bottoms are allowed. Please no warm-up’s on top. Quality of corrections/feedback from instructors increases when the body alignment and muscle engagement is more visible.

Modern

Leotard: Form fitting clothing or appropriate level leotards.

Bottoms: Form fitting bottoms or tights.

Shoes: Modern students should be barefoot for class.

Private Lessons or Semi-Private Lessons

Clothing: Unless the style is specified, please default to tights and a leotard with hair pulled up and off the face. Students may be asked to change/dress correctly to proceed with the lesson if dressed incorrectly (ex: shorts, t-shirt, and ponytail for a ballet private).

Shoes: Please bring the appropriate footwear for the style you are working on in your private lesson. If unsure, please bring your dance bag and all shoes with you to the studio. Some dance styles heavily rely on the correct footwear for a productive lesson.

Tap

Clothing: For dancers enrolled in just tap classes, you may attend class in appropriate streetwear that is easy to move in. T-shirts, leggings, semi-fit pants, tank tops may be worn. Please avoid jeans and jean shorts. No clothing with offensive/crude language please. For students attending tap after taking another style in a leotard and tights, please remain in your leotard, no change of clothes is necessary. 

Shoes: Tap shoes are required for class. Levels II and down should have a tan Mary Jane style shoe (available in La Boutique) and Levels III and up should have a black lace tap shoe (available in La Boutique) Please purchase the proper tap shoes from a dancewear brand for correct/clearer sounds.

Adult Classes

Ballet: Adult students are welcome to wear leotard and tights if desired. Athletic clothing such as leggings, tank top, t-shirt, shorts are allowed. Form-fitting clothing is recommended in order to get better feedback/corrections from instructors (muscle engagement and body alignment is easier to see). Ballet shoes are highly encouraged, if you are taking a trial class, socks are welcome if you are still deciding on class registration.

Tap: Clothes that students can easily move in (leggings, flowy pants, t-shirt, tank tops, shorts, athletic pants, etc.) No jeans please. Tap shoes required. 

Jazz: Clothes that can be easily moved in (leggings, flowy pants, t-shirt, tank tops, shorts, athletic pants, etc.). No jeans please. Form fitting clothing encouraged for instructor feedback. Jazz shoes are highly encouraged, if you are taking a trial class, socks are welcome if you are still deciding on class registration.


*Adults registered for class with us are still considered students and will receive a discount at La Boutique on any purchases made.