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.

Hair:
Students must keep a clean, neat appearance in class and following the dress code when attending classes (see below). Girls must have hair neatly arranged in a tight bun. For those with short hair, it must be pulled back with clips. It is the student’s and parent's responsibility to have hair done and be dressed properly for every class; however, we will be glad to provide initial assistance/instruction at the start of each school year.

Dress Code Breaks:
We do 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.

Non-Binary, Trans, Gender Non-Conforming Students:
For all classes, please mix and match from the below options in order to find practice clothes that feel comfortable and productive for you to work in.

  • Females

    • Any color ballet leotard, optional demi skirt, footless or convertible flesh tone or pink tights

    • Ballet shoes to match tights. Ballet shoes from Walmart or Target are not flexible enough to dance in. The “No Drawstring” ballet shoes are recommended.

    • Black or tan Mary Jane tap shoes

    Males

    • White T-shirt, black shorts or leggings (or fitted pants)

    • Black ballet shoes

    • Tap shoes (preference to oxford taps for boys but Mary Janes will work just fine!)

    • Optional white socks

  • Ballet

    • Black ballet leotard

    • Flesh tone or pink tights, footed or convertible, with feet worn in shoes, not rolled up.

    • Ballet shoes that match the color of the dancer's tights with elastic straps worn on top of foot, not under foot. The “No Drawstring” ballet shoes are recommended.

    • Demi skirts are not permitted in class. It is important for teachers to be able to clearly see the dancer’s body in order to correct alignment and technique.

    Tap

    • Same attire as ballet class

    • Black tap shoes

    Jazz

    • Same attire as ballet, with the addition of dance shorts or jazz pants (not flared) on top of leotard and tights.

    • Black Jazz shoes preferred.

  • Ballet

    • Black ballet leotard

    • Flesh tone or pink tights, footed or convertible, with feet worn in shoes, not rolled up.

    • Ballet shoes that 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.

    • Demi skirts are not permitted in class. It is important for teachers to be able to clearly see the dancer’s body in order to correct alignment and technique.

    Jazz

    • Fitted athletic tops or leotards of any color and leggings, bike shorts, dance pants. No baggy shirts and pants. Hair neatly secured in a pony or similar style that is suitable for floor work.

    • Black jazz technique shoes will be required in class

  • Ballet:

    • Level E Only

      Mondays -

      light blue leotard and optional light blue demi skirt

    • All other days any color leotard and optional demi skirt. Flesh tone or pink tights, footed or convertible, with feet worn in shoes, not rolled up.

    • Ballet shoes that 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.

    • If chosen to wear, demi skirts should be short, no longer than mid-thigh length.

    Jazz:

    • Fitted athletic tops and leggings or bike shorts. No baggy shirts and pants. Your teacher still needs to be able to see your body for technique.

    • Hair neatly secured in a pony or similar style that is suitable for floor work.

    • Jazz - Black jazz technique shoes optional

    Contemporary:

    • Any dancewear, except for bra tops, as long as it isn’t distracting or hindering training.

    • Hair is pulled back off of their face.

    • Bare feet or socks

  • Level A-C Males:

    • Black tights, no loose clothing

    • 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 Males:

    • Black or gray tights, black or white ballet shoes

  • We recommend following the ballet dress code, however, you may also wear fitted athletic tops and leggings.