Dress Code
Nittany Ballet Dress Code
Nittany Ballet’s dress code was established to create a noncompetitive, professional environment in the classroom. The discipline of the class is supported by the uniform look of the students, enabling them to concentrate on dancing without the distraction of their own individual dress or that of their fellow students. Because the dress code is set according to the level of the student, they have a recognizable way of seeing their progress.
Ballet Classes
Females:
• Flesh tone or pink tights; for Levels A-E, footed or convertible, with feet worn in shoes, not rolled up; for Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet, footless or convertible, rolled up
• Like swimwear, underwear is not customarily worn under tights. If necessary, underwear should not show.
• Ballet shoes to match the color of the dancer's tights with elastic straps worn on
top of foot, not under foot. Ballet shoes from WalMart or Target are not flexible enough to dance in. *The “No Drawstring” ballet shoes are recommended.* Contact frontdesk@pascp.org for recommendations.
• Hair in a neat and secure bun; this should include bobby pins and a hairnet as needed; short hair secured with a band; all bangs neatly pinned or sprayed back
Creative Movement & Pre-Ballet: Any color ballet leotard, optional demi skirt
Level A: Black leotard with pink hip alignment belt
Level B: Black leotard with lavender hip alignment belt
Level C: Black leotard with light blue hip alignment belt
Level D-E: Any color leotard, optional hip alignment belt, optional demi skirt
*Please note that female students in Level A through C are not permitted to wear demi skirts to class. It is important for teachers to be able to clearly see the dancer’s body in order to correct alignment and technique. For dancers at our higher levels who choose to wear skirts to classes, demi skirts should be short, no longer than mid-thigh length.
Males:
• Black tights, no loose clothing
• Dance belt
• White socks or black footed tights worn over feet
• Black ballet shoes with elastic straps worn on top of foot, not under foot
• Plain white form fitting dance/athletic shirt
Level D-E: Black or gray tights, black or white ballet shoes
*We celebrate hard work with periodic dress code allowances, as long as students exercise good behavior and focus in classes. During the last full week of each month, all female dancers may wear any color ballet leotard and demi skirt (no tutus, please), and all male dancers may wear any colored dance/athletic shirt to classes. Dancers in Level C may also wear colors/skirts on Saturdays.
Tap for Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and A Levels
To help with rhythm building and musicality, these levels will have basic tap incorporated into their ballet classes. In addition to their ballet slippers, all dancers in these levels will need tap shoes.
Teen/Adult Ballet Classes
We recommend following the ballet dress code, however, the following options are permitted:
Modern/Jazz/Contemporary Dance Classes
• Black, flesh tone, or pink tights - footless or convertible
• Black dance pants (not flared) or dance shorts worn over tights
• Any color leotard, fitted shirt, or unitard
• Hair neatly secured in low pony or similar style that is suitable for floor work
• Contemporary and Modern - bare feet or socks
• Jazz - jazz technique shoes, character shoes (depending on class)
Additional Dress Code Notes
•Leg warmers, warmup pants, sweaters, and extra clothing of any kind may not be worn in class.
• Jewelry is not permitted in class (watches, necklaces, dangling earrings, bracelets, etc).
• Earrings that do not hang below ear lobe, engagement and wedding rings are permitted.
• Remember to clearly label all clothing (shoes, leotards, etc) with the student’s name.
• Please use deodorant as necessary and avoid wearing perfume/cologne.
• Please do not dance in bare feet if suffering from athlete’s foot, warts, or any condition which may spread to other dancers (tape, ballet shoes, or jazz shoes may be worn).
• If there is a question about ballet or pointe shoes, they can be checked by the student’s teacher or the school director to assure proper fit before sewing elastic or ribbons on the shoes, so that the shoes may be returned if they are not suitable.