Why is dress code important?
We enforce a dress code for our dancers because:
- It allows the instructor to see a dancer’s alignment and positioning.
- Baggy clothes can hide bad habits and mistakes. An instructor needs to be able to see a dancer’s form in order to properly correct them.
- It teaches students discipline, helping with focus and energy.
- It creates unity among the dancers, much like a school uniform. This unified look helps to minimize distractions.
- “Dressing the part” helps dancers to feel like dancers.
Do’s & Don’ts of Dance Class Wear

Celtic Ceilidh Dress Code
Highland – Black tank (sleeveless) bodysuit with knee high socks and regulation Highland ghillies. Jig shoes will be required upon the teacher’s recommendation.
Hair will be in a ponytail or a bun. Shorter hair must be off the face.
Irish – Black tank (sleeveless) bodysuit with either black microfibre tights or poodle socks and black Irish pumps. Hard shoes will be required upon the teacher’s recommendation.
Hair will be in a ponytail or a bun. Shorter hair must be off the face.
Tap and Jazz – Black tank (sleeveless) bodysuit, caramel microfiber tights. Black lycra shorts are permitted.
- Bloch Jazz shoes.
- Jr. Dancers – Bloch tan “tap-on” tap shoes. Can be purchased at On Stage.
- Sr. Dancers – Block black “jazz” tap shoes. Can be purchased at On Stage.
Hair will be in a ponytail or a bun. Shorter hair must be off the face.
Stretch – Flexible dance and/or yoga wear. All soft soled dance footwear is permissible. No socks.
Hair will be in a ponytail or a bun. Shorter hair must be off the face.
Ballet – All require pink leather regulation ballet shoes. Bodysuit and tights are as follows:
- Preschool -”Ballet Pink” tank (sleeveless) bodysuit with matching tights.
- Primary – Purple tank (sleeveless) bodysuit with Ballet pink tights.
- Grades 1 and up – Black tank (sleeveless) bodysuit with Ballet pink tights.
Character shoes and pointe shoes will be required upon the teacher’s recommendation for higher grades.
Hair in a bun. Shorter hair must be off the face.
Lyrical – As for Ballet.
Hip Hop – Black or white plain solid colour t-shirt and black shorts or leggings. Dance sneakers or choreography sneakers as chosen by the instructor. NO outdoor footwear.
Hair must be tied back.
Musical Theatre – Any of the above listed dance wear is appropriate.
Boys – Plain white t-shirt (no graphics or logos), black shorts and the required shoes as per the dance discipline.
Adults – Work out/yoga wear: sleeveless tank, shorts or capris (no long pants) and the required shoes as per the dance discipline.