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Preparing for Class
Uniforms for The Louisville Ballet School’s
Fall & Spring Semesters
The Louisville Ballet School student dress code maintains the tradition and aesthetic of classical ballet and allows instructors to see the full lines of the students’ bodies. As such, all students must wear the required uniform colors and styles. These styles are required for students enrolled in the Fall and/or Spring semesters only. Students participating in Summer Semester Programs are NOT required to wear a specific color for summer camps/classes. Click here to review Summer dress guidelines.
Required styles and colors of the Children’s, Classical Ballet, Academy and Pre-Professional Programs are reasonably priced and will be available for purchase directly through The Louisville Ballet School. Please review your dancer’s class uniform requirements and links to the online order forms below.
Questions or need to schedule a fitting? Please reach out to Elizabeth Hines, ehines@louisvilleballet.org
For fittings, we ask that all dancers under dress in their own leotard and tights (or a swim suit, or form fitting tank top and panties) to try on sample sizes.
Children's Program Uniform Requirements
Boost!
Boost! participants should come to class in comfortable clothing so that you and your child have freedom of movement. Shoes are optional; however, if you do choose to wear shoes, try to make sure they are CLEAN! Some babies will be crawling on the floor and we want to keep the floor as clean and free of germs as possible.
Creative Movement 1-2 & Pre-Ballet
CM 1-2
Girls: Eurotard White dance dress included in order form
Plain white socks and pink leather full-sole ballet shoes. No tights, please.
Boys: White top and black shorts
White ankle socks and white full-sole leather ballet shoes.
Pre-Ballet
Girls: Eurotard Pink dance dress included in order form
Plain white socks with pink leather full-sole ballet shoes and black tap shoes. No tights, please.
Boys: White shirt and black shorts
White ankle socks with white full-sole leather ballet shoes and black tap shoes.
Classical Ballet Program Uniform Requirements
Classical Ballet I - IV
CB I - II
Girls: Eurotard leotard in Lilac, available styles included in order form
Plain white socks and pink leather full-sole ballet shoes. *Tights are optional.
Boys: Eurotard white shirt and black shorts, Tan (or nude) colored dance briefs or dance belt
White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes
CB III – IV, Intro to Classical Ballet
Girls: Eurotard leotard in Purple, available styles included in order form
*Tights and leather full-sole ballet shoes. No skirts, please.
Boys: Eurotard White shirt, Black shorts OR black tights with nude colored dance belt
White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes.
*In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.
Classical Ballet V - VI
CB V - VI
Young Ladies: Eurotard leotard in Eggplant, available styles included in order form
*Tights and leather full-sole ballet shoes (pre-pointe shoes for pre-pointe class). No skirts, please.
Young Men: Eurotard White shirt, Black tights with nude colored dance belt
White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes.
*In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.
Teen Ballet
Ladies: May wear a solid color leotard of their choosing and tights or form-fitting athletic attire,
split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes.
Gentlemen: May wear a form fitting, solid color t-shirt with black tights or dance pants
with dance belt or dance briefs
Pre-Professional Program Uniform Requirements
Pre-Professional 1 - 6
PP 1-2: Ladies: Wear Moi leotard in Sky, available style included in order form
*Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please.
PP 3-4: Ladies: Wear Moi leotard in French Blue, available style included in order form
*Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please.
PP 1-4: Men: Cap sleeve fitted top in White, available styles included in order form, Black tights with nude colored dance belt
Choice of the following: (Shoes must match color of corresponding tights/socks)
White leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes.
Black leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes.
PP 5-6
Ladies: Wear Moi leotard in Navy, available style included in order form
*Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please.
Men: Wear Moi cap sleeve fitted top in Navy, available styles included in order form, Black tights with nude colored dance belt
Choice of the following: (Shoes must match color of corresponding tights/socks)
White leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes.
Black leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes.
*In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support
our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and
foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.
Complementary Program Uniform Requirements
Modern: Girls and ladies wear a solid-colored leotard with black leggings and bare feet. Boys and young men wear a tight-fitting,
solid-colored t-shirt, with black leggings and bare feet.
Jazz/Tap: Girls wear a solid-colored leotard, black leggings, black oxford style tap shoes and black jazz shoes with either socks or tights.
Boys wear a tight-fitting solid-colored t-shirt, black leggings with a dance belt, and black oxford style tap shoes, and black jazz shoes with socks or tights.
(No jazz sneakers, please.)
Intermediate Jazz & Musical Theater Jazz: Ladies wear a solid-colored leotard, black leggings, and black jazz shoes with either socks or tights.
Men wear a tight-fitting solid-colored t-shirt, black leggings with a dance belt, and black jazz shoes with socks or tights. (No jazz sneakers, please.)
Intermediate & Advanced Tap: Young ladies wear a solid-colored leotard, black leggings, and black oxford style tap shoes with either socks or tights.
Young Men wear a tight-fitting solid-colored t-shirt, black leggings with a dance belt, and black oxford style tap shoes with socks or tights.
Conditioning: Students may wear yoga or other similar work out wear and bare feet. Students will also need a yoga mat for class.
Continuing Ballet Bound Scholars Order Forms
Continuing Ballet Bound Scholars Please follow the uniform requirements for your dancer’s level, and use the order form linked below to place your dancer’s order.
Continuing Ballet Bound Uniforms Policy All Continuing Ballet Bound Scholars must review and sign a Scholarship Agreement, which outlines the Uniform Policy and Allotment. If you need a copy of this document or have questions about your remaining allotment, please reach out to Amy Haley, Community Engagement Manager at ahaley@Louisvilleballet.org.
General Dancewear
Other dancewear basics (tights, shoes, flamenco skirts, leggings, jazz pants, etc) are reasonably priced and can be purchased at Kinney Dancewear & online at Discount Dance Supply. A percentage of all orders placed through Discount Dance Supply will benefit the Louisville Ballet School by using the Teacher Referral Program code “TP27451.” Please visit our Dress Code Pages on Discount Dance Supply’s website for images and examples of appropriate dance wear.
Parents are encouraged to monitor the fit and condition of all dancewear. Leotards, tights, and shoes that are too small or too large can interfere with technique. Severely small shoes can permanently injure a student’s feet, joints, and back. Oversized garments and shoes can be dangerous and may cause injury. The instructor must check all shoes before elastics or ribbons are sewn. All leotards, tights, skirts, and dance shoes should be clean, neat, and labeled with the student’s first initial and last name in permanent, waterproof ink. No watches or jewelry may be worn except small earrings.
Any clothing worn over the dancewear qualifies as a warm-up. Warm-ups make it quite difficult for the instructor to assess proper technique, placement and alignment. When necessary, warm-ups specifically made for ballet are the only additional dancewear permitted during classes. These items are snug and form fitting, like a leotard, allowing the instructor a clear view of the torso and spine.
Hairstyling
Front desk personnel and faculty will not be available to assist with students’ hair. Hair must be kept off the face and neck. Long hair must be secured in a neat bun with hairpins and a hair net prior to class time. Girls with very short hair should secure their hair with a headband, held in place with bobby pins and/or clips, and should use hairspray or gel to prevent hair from becoming loose and falling in front of the face. Headbands, hair pins, bobby pins, and hairnets are to be the same color as the student’s hair or the color of their uniform leotard. Braids are accepted but should not exceed shoulder length. The thickness of the braids should allow for a safe, secure, appropriately sized ballet bun that does not move. Loose ponytails, braids, or unsecured buns are not permitted. Students may be asked to sit out and observe class if hair is not secured in an appropriate hairstyle.
Studio Essentials
Students should arrive at the studio under-dressed in their leotard and tights and/or other required dancewear. Make certain that students are properly dressed in street clothes over their dancewear.
Students are expected to bring the following with them in a small bag:
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An easily removable cover up to wear into the studio (over class uniform)
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Pre-filled water bottle(s)
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Dance shoes
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A notebook and pen/pencil (Classical Ballet, Academy & Pre-Professional students only)
Please limit the number of belongings and leave valuables at home. The Louisville Ballet School is not responsible for lost items.
Summer Dress Guidelines
Uniform colors are NOT required for the Summer. Any color of choice will work! Please review our Summer Dress Guidelines below:
Pre-School Dance Parties* | Movement & Make Believe
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Girls wear a solid colored leotard, dance skirt, white ankle socks, and pink leather ballet shoes.
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Boys wear a solid colored t-shirt or tank top, black shorts with nude colored dance briefs or dance belt, white ankle socks and white leather ballet shoes.
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Hair must be pulled back out of the face-
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*Students enrolled in Pre-School Dance Parties should wear pull-ups if not fully potty trained.
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*Students enrolled in Pre-School Dance Parties and Movement & Make Believe who don’t have dance attire may opt to dance in comfortable clothing that allows for freedom of movement.
Weekly Wednesdays: Creative Movement 1 & 2, Pre-Ballet**
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Girls wear a solid colored leotard, dance skirt, white ankle socks, and pink leather ballet shoes.
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Boys wear a solid colored t-shirt or tank top, black shorts with nude colored dance briefs or dance belt, white ankle socks and white leather ballet shoes.
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Hair must be pulled back out of the face
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**Students enrolled in Weekly Wednesdays Pre-Ballet will also need black tap shoes.
Weekly Wednesdays: Classical Ballet
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Ladies wear a solid colored leotard with a choice of white socks or pink tights, and pink leather ballet shoes. In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.
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Gentlemen wear a fitted solid colored shirt with a choice of black bike shorts or black tights with nude colored dance briefs or dance belt, white ankle socks and white leather ballet shoes.
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Long hair should be pulled back neatly in a bun. Shorter hair should be secured out of the face, using headband, bobby pins and/or clips.
Summer Dance Camp
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Participants wear comfortable clothing accessible for movement, sneakers and socks.
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Examples include: Yoga pants, Tank tops, T-shirts, Athletic shorts, Leggings
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Ballet shoes will be provided to students for ballet and musical theater classes
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If you have your own pair of ballet shoes and/or jazz shoes, please bring them!
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Students will be barefoot for Creative Dance, West African dance, and Yoga
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If possible, dancers’ hair should be pulled back off of their face in a braid, bun or ponytail. Headbands work great for hair that is too short to pull back.
Junior Intensive | Pre-Intensive
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Ladies wear a solid colored leotard with transitional pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and Pre-Pointe or Pointe shoes (if the dancer is en pointe). In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.
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Hair should be pulled back neatly in a bun, secured with a hairnet.
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Skirts may be worn for pointe and repertoire classes at the discretion of the instructor.
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Gentlemen wear a cap sleeve fitted top, black bike shorts or tights with nude colored dance briefs or dance belt, white ankle socks and white ballet shoes.
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Black leggings, or jazz pants may be worn for elective classes. These optional layers should be easily pulled on top of the dancer’s ballet attire.
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Jazz or Character shoes for Musical Theater classes. Ballet shoes are also acceptable.
Junior Master Class Series | Senior Master Class Series
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Ladies wear a solid colored leotard with transitional pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and Pre-Pointe or Pointe shoes (if the dancer is en pointe). In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.
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Hair should be pulled back neatly in a bun, secured with a hairnet.
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Skirts may be worn for variations classes at the discretion of the instructor.
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Gentlemen wear a cap sleeve fitted top, black bike shorts or tights with nude colored dance briefs or dance belt, white ankle socks and white ballet shoes.
Attire for After-School Programs offered by
Louisville Ballet Community Engagement
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Please make sure that your child wears comfortable clothing on dance days. We suggest leggings or shorts and a t-shirt. Clothing should not restrict movement.
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If your dancer is wearing a skirt or dress, please have them wear shorts or leggings underneath.
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Formal dance class attire is NOT required.
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Dancers will wear whatever they have worn to school that day. Please don’t send clothing for your child to change into as there is no time to change before class begins.
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We will take off our shoes to dance. If your child does not want to dance barefoot, please send socks with them to wear.
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If your dancer already has ballet or jazz shoes that fit, you are welcome to send them in their bag; however, there is no need to purchase formal dance shoes for this class.
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If possible, dancers’ hair should be pulled back off their face in a braid, bun or ponytail. Headbands work great for hair that is too short to pull back.
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