How should your child’s dancewear and ballet shoes fit? And why does it matter?
Dancewear is an integral part of every dancer’s life. From tutus to pointe shoes, leotards to ballet tights, these are all items that a dancer cannot be without.
A seasoned dance professional will almost instinctively know the correct fit for a particular item of dance clothing. For the dance beginner – and especially a parent trying to choose the correct size for their child’s dancewear – this can be quite a difficult task.
While parents may wish to buy dancewear that allows some growing room for a more cost-effective purchase, this is not advisable. Dance clothing is intended to be ‘fitted’, as part of the function of dancewear is to allow the shapes the dancer is making to be clearly seen.
For example, if leotards are too big and baggy, the teacher cannot see any postural problems, such as an arched back, protruding ribcage, raised shoulders etc. If dance shoes are too large, the foot is unsupported and, once again, this cannot be seen and corrected by the teacher. (Overly-large shoes can be a trip hazard, too.) A student not receiving necessary corrections will not only affect their technique, but could also slow their progress as a dancer – even putting them at greater risk of injury.
In this blog, we will look at the correct fit for dancewear garments. We always advise that you check with your child’s dance teacher if you are uncertain of the fit of their uniform.
Leotards
Ballet leotards are designed to fit like a second skin and therefore shouldn’t have any excess material. They often contain Lycra in order to stretch with the movements of the body (this also means that leotards can last for quite a while for a growing child!).
A teacher cannot check for correct postural alignment if a student is wearing an ill-fitting leotard – and a young dancer could feel quite ‘sloppy’ dancing in a baggy leotard.
Correct size
Too Large
I am often asked by parents if a leotard that fits like the one shown in the first image is too small. This is actually the correct size.
If a leotard is getting too small, it will often start to dig into the shoulders. (Incidentally it might be worth checking that the leotard is being pulled up enough on the hips, as this can cause the same problem.) If there is no baggy material and the seams are looking overly stretched on the sides, however, this is also a sign that it could be time to go up to the next size.
As you can see from the second image above, the leotard is already starting to go baggy on the front and the shoulders, just from one size up. This is incorrect. As the young dancer moves around, this excess material will be uncomfortable to work in.
Correct size
Too Large
Cardigans
The measurement of the crossover cardigan should be taken from the body, so don’t worry if your child’s sleeve is shrinking up their arms!
Cardigans should be well fitted for the same reasons as leotards – a teacher needs to be able to correct movements of the body.
Correct size
Too large
Too Large
Ballet Shoes – getting the correct fit
Ballet shoes come in a range of materials and fits. Each brand of dance shoe is slightly different; some brands suit, for example, a wider foot. Every dancer will develop a preference as they grow and develop, before eventually settling on their favoured brand and style. But until that time, your dance teacher is probably the best and most knowledgable person to recommend brands and styles of shoes for your child. Ballet shoes are arguably the most important piece of dancewear to fit correctly. Much like outdoor shoes, unsuitable or poorly-fitting shoes can adversely affect your child’s foot health. Ballet shoes should be supportive and flattering to the dancer’s feet.
Correct Size
Too Small
Too Large
Ballet shoes that are too small…… can be uncomfortable to wear, not to mention unhealthy for feet. The way to tell if a ballet shoe is too small is if the big toe joint is bent.When choosing ballet shoes, please be aware that ballet shoes aren’t necessarily the same size as outdoor shoe sizes. Different materials (satin, leather, canvas) can also result in a different size requirement, even for the same foot.
Ballet shoes that are too big…… can be dangerous, not only as a trip hazard, but also because the foot could be resting in unsupported positions (e.g. rolling). This is something which a teacher won’t be able to see and correct if there is excess material.
Ballet shoes that are the correct size: should be comfortable. There shouldn’t be any excess material at the toe, and the big toe joint shouldn’t be bent.
Over time, it will become easier for a dancer to find their preferred fit for both shoes and garments. But perhaps the best advice is to ask your dance teacher, who will be able to give recommendations that are tailored to your child.