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 Dress
Code
I’ve been teaching for 22 years without a dress-code, but my
students do have to wear dance clothes. In the last couple of
years, I’m starting to see a lot of bike shorts, half tops and
a whole lot of skimpy leotards and I don’t like it. I know
that it’s the way life is now, but I don’t think it needs to
be in the dance classroom, especially my ballet classes!
The problem is that I’m afraid my students won’t think its
“cool” to take class in a black leotard and pink tights . . .
what kind of dress codes to other schools have? Do they lose
students because of having a dress-code? What are the pros and
cons?
We have a uniform leotard and dress code for students
through the age of 14. At that age they may begin wearing
their own leotards. If their clothing is unacceptable, it
states in our guidelines that we can request that they buy the
uniform leotard. Teenagers like a little self expression, but
I do agree with you, some of the new styles are not acceptable
for the classroom.
Parents of the younger children love the uniform. It saves
them from being asked to buy a ton of leotards. It is also a
great advertiser for my school. We have our logo on ours so
when they are coming and going from dance school, they may be
seen out in the community spreading our school pride.
--Margie
Blair, New Albany, IN
Our studio has been in business for over 20 years. All our
classes have an appropriate dress code, including ballet
classes that require black leotards and pink tights. Our
senior students can wear black leotard and black tights. We
actually went from letting the students wear any colors they
wanted to this dress code because we felt it looked more
professional. The teachers also like it better this way
because the colors don't distract them from correcting
properly.
When we
made the switch from colors to black and pink, I thought I
would have a ton of complaints, but surprisingly we didn't. I
suggest having a dress code and explaining to the parents and
students that you want to be more professional-looking.
--Laura
Monk, La Habra, CA
I have
never lost a student due to dress codes. I state outright in
my registration information that midriff tops are not a part
of our dance attire, and suggest other alternatives. We have a
color-code system (pre-dancers in pastel pink, level 1 in
light blue, level 2 in white, etc). When they get to the third
year of pointe, they may choose their own color leotard with
pink tights. Most often it is black! We go by color, rather
than by style. It works great having a color-code system by
level. It gives a uniform look if we do short, informal
programs, and it is easy to spot the level of dancer - we
simply need to say, "Go get the (blue-raspberry-burgundy,
etc.) dancer(s).
I totally
agree with you about the skimpy, skin-revealing, "trashy" look
that's out there now. Hopefully people like us will bring
"class" back to the "class."
--Anonymous
My school
has worked by a dress code for most of the 27+ years of its
existence. My families expect it and seem to like it. For
many, it is the outward symbol of standards; for others it
eliminates the expense and hassle of acquiring the latest and
greatest new dance wear item. Within the school, it helps the
beginner student know who the upper level dancers are so they
can seek out their advice, and it alleviates undue pressure on
all levels of dancers (who wear a different color for each
grade). Upper level dancers can take lower level classes to
rehabilitate or refine their aesthetics without losing their
ranking in the eyes of the peer group. Entry level dancers can
enjoy and benefit from the presence of upper level dancers in
their class without feeling the pressure to exact the movement
phrase with the same aplomb.
I say, go ahead and establish a dress code for next year, but
be sure to announce it with excitement and list the benefits
to the parents as well as to the students. It will help them
buy into your standards and support it when having side bar
conversations on their own.
--Karyn
Edison, Holliston, MA
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