What to Wear for Ballet - Men
What to wear to adult ballet class for Men
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Ballet Slippers
Ballet slippers are generally unisex. Men typically wear white, black, tan or brown. Some studios and dress codes will suggest wearing athletic socks under your slippers. If not, you can go barefoot if you wear cutoff tights or sweat pants, or you can wear footed tights within the shoes.
My favorite slippers are below:
Leather - I usually don’t like leather, but the one here is the softest most-breathable leather slipper I’ve found
Canvas - my preferred fabric, and this one has extra padding under the ball of the foot
Stretch canvas - a very popular style, though not my personal favorite of the fabric choices
Jazz sneaker - for extra support/softness & reducing discomfort under your feet while you’re dancing
Tights & Pants
While classic ballet attire calls for wearing tights, most studios will accept running leggings, sweatpants, or even gym shorts if you are more comfortable. Don’t let the intimidation of tights scare you off, and just call the studio ahead of time to ask what you can wear if you’re feeling uncomfortable in tights.
If you do decide to wear tights, tips are below!
Most tights can be washed in cold water in the washing machine. Some may require or recommend hand washing for them to last longer. Always hang your tights to dry and don’t put them into the dryer.
Be sure to check if the tights are meant to be worn with suspenders or if they have elastic built into the waist.
Pro tip: Consider using a small elastic belt/waist-band to hold your tights up and help keep your shirt tucked in!
Warning: Lighter colors & cotton material tend to both be a bit more see-through. You can also wear regular leggings from a department store or drug store, but just make sure they are not see0through when stretching forward.
Popular brands
WearMoi tights
MStevens tights
Mirella tights
Anjeli yoga pants
T-Shirts & Tanktops
The most common top is a t-shirt. Classic attire calls for a white top and black tights, but many men prefer darker colors. Lighter colors are a little easier for the teacher to see your technique, but darker colors can feel more slimming and may show less sweat.
Tank tops are great for the teacher to see your shoulder placement & technique, but many men feel more confident in class in a t-shirt.
Typically your t-shirt or tank top will be worn tucked in.
You can also wear long sleeves if it is chilly in your environment.
In addition to dancewear t-shirts, Under Armour is a popular brand for athletic t-shirts.
Leotards & Unitards
You can also choose to wear a leotard + tights or a unitard. These can be more comfortable in that you don’t need to worry about tucking your top in. But, they are very form-fitting, so some men will feel more comfortable in a t-shirt or tank top. WearMoi and MStevens are the leading brands.
Dance Belt
All male dancers are highly recommended (and often required) to wear a dance belt for support. Especially when wearing tights with a tucked-in t-shirt.
A properly fitted dance belt should not be uncomfortable and will help keep you safe.
Sweat Towel & Other Hacks
If you tend to sweat a lot, you may want to bring a small hand towel with you to hold at the barre. Be careful to wipe any sweat that might drip onto the floor, as it can be slippery.
If there are floor exercises or stretches, you may also want to be able to wipe the floor after sitting or lying down.
Happy Dancing! :)
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