Dress Code

SDA Dress Code: What to Wear & Why

WHY DRESS CODE MATTERS
Arriving properly dressed for dance class is an important part of training and is expected, just as uniforms, equipment, and instruments are expected in other sports, arts programs, and organized team activities.

Our dress code allows instructors to assess technique and alignment while allowing dancers to move safely, confidently, and with focus.

PARENT & STUDIO REINFORCEMENT
Dancers who arrive without the required attire, appropriate shoes, or properly secured hair will receive a reminder. If dress code concerns become recurring, parents will be contacted and dancers may have limited participation until requirements are met.

Thank you for partnering with us by reviewing these expectations at home and supporting our staff in maintaining a focused learning environment for all dancers.


WHERE TO SHOP FOR DANCE ATTIRE
For dance shoe fittings and purchases, we recommend Allegro Dance Boutique in Barrington. Their knowledgeable staff can ensure dancers are properly fitted for the correct style and size of shoe, which is especially important for comfort, safety, and technique. SDA FAMILIES RECEIVE 10% ON YOUR FIRST PURCHASE.

ALLEGRO’S ONLINE STORE FOR SDA DANCERS - https://allegrodanceboutique.com/pages/saldarelli-dance-arts

We recommend purchasing dance shoes in store, as proper sizing and fit can be difficult to determine online (especially on AMAZON) and often require multiple exchanges or returns.

GENERAL DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS

  • Hair secured from face and off neck

  • No large earrings/jewelry/watches

  • Sweatshirts are allowed for the first 5 minutes of class or at the instructor’s discretion

  • Label ALL dance shoes & water bottles

  • No smart watches or cell phones are allowed in class

NOTE: Dancers will be asked to place electronic devices in a designated cubby inside each studio. They may also keep them in their dance bag in the lobby or leave them at home.

BABY BEATS AND GIGGLE & GROOVES
Required Dance Attire: Comfortable clothing with bare feet or grippy socks



PRE-BALLET, BALLET, LYRICAL, PRE-POINTE, AND POINTE
Required Dance Attire: Leotard or Biketard and Tights (no bare legs, leggings, or pants)

Optional: Dance shorts or short dance skirt 

Shoes:
Preschoolers: pink leather or canvas ballet shoes, no drawstrings 
Petites, Juniors, Teens: pink canvas, split sole ballet shoes
Pointe shoes may only be purchased and worn with instructor approval



MINI ACRO AND ACRO
Required Dance Attire: Leotard or Biketard

Optional: Dance shorts or leggings (fitted at the calf or ankle; no baggy or flare pants)

Required Shoes: Allegro Dance Boutique will visit the studio for acro shoe fittings; date and time will be announced



PRE-JAZZ, JAZZ, MUSICAL THEATRE, POMS, LTT
Required Dance Attire: Leotard or Biketard

Optional: Dance shorts or leggings (fitted at the calf or ankle; no baggy or flare pants)

Shoes: Black slip-on jazz shoes



CONTEMPORARY AND STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Required Dance Attire: Leotard or Biketard

Optional: Dance shorts or leggings (fitted at the calf or ankle; no baggy or flare pants)

Shoes: Barefoot (no socks) or pink ballet shoes



TAP
Required Dance Attire: Leotard or Biketard 

Optional: Dance shorts or leggings (fitted at the calf or ankle; no baggy or flared pants)

Shoes: 
Preschoolers: black patent leather tap shoes with velcro strap
Petite & Juniors: lace-up black tap shoes; NO split sole or flex sole tap shoes
Teens & Adults: any high-quality, black tap shoes with a leather bottom, reinforced toe box, and screw-in taps that can be tightened; NO split sole or flex sole tap shoes (we recommend Bloch SO301 or Bloch Respect)



HIP HOP
Required Dance Attire: Athletic tank or t-shirt that covers the midriff, worn with shorts, leggings, or joggers (no bare midriffs or wide-leg pants)

Note: If attending classes before or after Hip Hop, dancers should layer athletic attire over leotard

Shoes: Clean, predominantly black sneakers for Hip Hop class only (not worn outdoors)



BOYS
Required Dance Attire: Athletic tank or t-shirt worn with shorts or joggers (no wide-leg pants)

Shoes: Same requirements as listed above, except black ballet shoes should be worn in place of pink ballet shoes



ADULTS
Required Dance Attire: Comfortable athletic clothing

Shoes: Same requirements as listed above for the corresponding class style

Dance Attire & Shoes