ACB Centre Dress Code

Proper attire helps dancers move freely, allows instructors to clearly observe alignment and technique, and contributes to a focused and professional classroom environment.

Dress-code requirements vary by program and class. Please review the requirements below for your dancer's specific program and class.

Youth Program

Ballet

Youth ballet students should wear:

Black leotard
Pink or skin-tone tights
Ballet slippers matching the tights
Hair clean, neat, and securely pulled back into a bun

Contemporary

Contemporary students should wear:

Black tights or shorts, optional
Bare feet or socks
Clothing that allows unrestricted movement

Hip Hop

Hip Hop students may wear:

Free dress
Comfortable clothing suitable for movement
Clean athletic or tennis shoes

Conditioning & Stretch

Levels 1–3

Students should wear:

Ballet uniform
Black shorts may be worn over the uniform

Levels 4+

Students may wear:

Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing appropriate for movement

Pointe

Pointe students should wear:

Standard ballet uniform
Short black ballet skirt, optional
Pointe shoes matching their tights

Character

Character students should wear:

Long black character skirt
Character shoes
Standard ballet attire underneath the skirt

Boys Program

Boys' Ballet

Boys' ballet students should wear:

Comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement
Socks or ballet slippers

Boys' / Men's Ballet

Boys' and men's ballet students should wear:

Black tights
Black T-shirt or tank top
White socks
White ballet slippers

Adult Program

Adult students have a flexible dress code. Clothing should be comfortable, allow a full range of movement, and make it possible for instructors to clearly observe alignment and technique.

Suggested ballet attire includes:

Leotard and tights
Knee-length ballet skirt
Form-fitting top
Leggings or other comfortable athletic or dancewear

Ballet slippers should be worn for ballet classes.

Please avoid clothing that is excessively loose, restrictive, or interferes with movement or the instructor's ability to observe technique.

Hair should be pulled back securely and away from the face.

General Guidelines

All dancers should arrive to class clean, appropriately dressed, and ready to participate.

Jewelry and accessories that may interfere with movement or present a safety concern should be removed before class.

Youth Program Requirements

For students enrolled in Youth Programs:

Watches are not to be worn in class.
Long earrings are not to be worn in class.
Hair should be worn up and out of the face.
Warm-ups should be removed by the time class begins.

Class-Specific Requirements

When a specific class has additional attire requirements, those requirements take precedence over the general dress code.

If you are unsure about the appropriate attire for a particular class, please contact the ACB Centre team before attending.

Why Proper Ballet Attire Matters

Proper dance attire is an important part of effective ballet training.

Appropriate clothing allows instructors to clearly observe:

Alignment
Posture
Placement
Technique
Range of motion
Movement quality

A professional classroom environment also helps dancers develop discipline, preparation, and respect for their training.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ACB Centre dress code?

The ACB Centre dress code varies by program and class. Youth Ballet students generally wear a black leotard, pink or skin-tone tights, matching ballet slippers, and their hair securely pulled into a bun. Other programs have specific attire requirements outlined on this page.

What should I wear to ballet class at ACB Centre?

Ballet attire depends on the dancer's program and level. Youth Ballet students should wear a black leotard, pink or skin-tone tights, matching ballet slippers, and a neat bun. Boys' and adult ballet students have different requirements, which are outlined above.

What should children wear to ballet class?

Youth Ballet students should wear a black leotard, pink or skin-tone tights, and ballet slippers matching their tights. Hair should be clean, neat, and securely pulled back into a bun.

What should boys wear for ballet at ACB Centre?

Boys' Ballet students should wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement and socks or ballet slippers. Boys' / Men's Ballet students should wear black tights, a black T-shirt or tank top, white socks, and white ballet slippers.

What should adults wear to ballet class?

Adult students have a flexible dress code. Suggested attire includes a leotard and tights, a knee-length ballet skirt, a form-fitting top, leggings, or other comfortable athletic or dancewear. Ballet slippers should be worn for ballet classes.

Can I wear shorts for contemporary dance?

Yes. Contemporary students may wear black tights or shorts. Clothing should allow unrestricted movement, and students may dance barefoot or in socks.

What should I wear for Hip Hop?

Hip Hop students may wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement and should wear clean athletic or tennis shoes.

Are there specific dress requirements for pointe class?

Yes. Pointe students should wear the standard ballet uniform. A short black ballet skirt is optional, and pointe shoes should match the dancer's tights.Yes. Pointe students should wear the standard ballet uniform. A short black ballet skirt is optional, and pointe shoes should match the dancer's tights.

Are warm-ups allowed during Youth Program classes?

Youth Program students may use warm-ups before class, but warm-ups should be removed by the time class begins.

Can students wear jewelry during class?

Jewelry and accessories that may interfere with movement or present a safety concern should be removed before class. Youth Program students may not wear watches or long earrings during class.