Caulfield School of Dance hair and attire requirements are based on the classroom needs of the students and their instructors. Also, at times the School has studio showings of class work or small performances of dance or theatre pieces before costuming is complete. In such cases, performers may appear in their required attire in lieu of costuming.
Because teachers of most dance forms must be able to clearly see every contour of their students’ bodies, we specify hair styles and require clothing that is tight fitting without at all restricting movement for most courses. Any unusual dress (e.g. shorts instead of a bodysuit for female ballet students; distracting patterns or colours) can be impede teachers’ assessment of students, so most attire items must be in “neutral” colours (listed below).
Hair requirements are largely for safety and best development of the coordinated movements required for artistic movement.
Our hair and attire requirements respect that not everyone may feel comfortable in ballet pink tights or shoes, that almost no one’s skin tone is what is sometimes labeled as “nude”, and that not every type of hair will work in a “bun”. Wherever “Ballerina Pink”, “ballet pink”, or “caramel”/”tan” colours are specified in the attire requirements, dancers can wear tights or shoes in a colour that matches their skin tone as they prefer for classes, examinations, and performances. Wherever words denoting gender (e.g. “girls” or “male”) are used in this Guidebook, please note that gender at Caulfield School of Dance is self-assigned. For all activities including but not limited to R.A.D. syllabus programs and examinations, those whose sex is female may choose the “M” or male gendered syllabus/dance style and hair/attire and costume specifications, and vice versa.
We pledge to always do everything in our power to make sure that our School provides a space, be it physical or virtual, that is safe and inclusive, that builds up and celebrates every student as a whole person.
HAIR: Teachers instructing any theatre art must be able to clearly see the entire body. This is one reason all hair must be worn up and away from the neck and shoulders. Hair that can hit a dancer in the face and/or obstruct vision can cause dancers to lose control and endanger themselves or others. (It really hurts to have the end of a ponytail whip you in the eye!) Bangs that fall below the eyebrows must be fastened back. Hairstyles can also affect balance and the ability to learn to turn.
All dance students with hair shoulder length or longer, should ideally wear their hair in a bun or “chignon” (all hair bundled into a flat round shape and securely fastened to the beginning of the down slope of the back of the head, or for acrobatics, as low as possible.)
To make a bun you need:
- a strong hair elastic
- an elastic edged nylon “invisible” hair net
- at least two dozen thick wire hair (or “bun”) pins (not “bobby” pins)
To avoid having to use hair product for classes, we also recommend that students have several snap-in hair clips.
For pictures of the above hair supplies, please see the Guidebook page on this site, your hard copy, or the office copy.
All hair supplies must be the colour of the student’s hair.
Instructional videos are at our Youtube page or on this site.
ATTIRE: Caulfield School of Dance attire requirements serve the learning needs of the students. Also, sometimes there are studio showings or small performances before costuming is complete. In such cases, all performers will appear in their required attire in lieu of costuming.
Because teachers of most dance forms must be able to clearly see every contour of their students’ bodies, we specify clothing that is tight fitting without at all restricting movement for these courses. Any unusual dress (i.e. black instead of pink tights or shorts instead of a bodysuit for female ballet students; patterns, or bright colours), can be visually distracting impeding teachers’ assessment of students, so most attire items must be in “neutral” colours (listed below).
“NEUTRAL” COLOURS: No patterns, text, or logos (except Caulfield School of Dance), are permitted on any clothing worn in classes. The following colours, which we call “neutral”, can be worn where specified:
- ballet (light) pink – Grades 1, 2, 3
- navy blue – Grades 4 & 5
- black – Vocationals – Inter Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1 & 2
Royal Academy of Dance examination attire requirements are given in the BALLET section that follows. Students can wear R.A.D. examination attire to any ballet class (and most other types of classes). All Ballet students can also wear “neutral” colour (see above) bodysuits in class.
No jewelry except small stud earrings in classes.
BALLET
Important Note re Ballet Slippers: Canvas ballet slippers are not the prescribed shoe because they are too slippery, wear out faster than leather, and most importantly “squeeze” the toes towards the heel which is unhealthy! Toes should never be “scruntched” especially when one is learning ballet! Canvas shoes are “use at your own risk” for performing solo, and not permitted for performing in group pieces as they are not the prescribed shoe.
Baby Ballet/Preschool Ballet
Body Wear: Clothing must be skin-tight, in solid “neutral” (see definition in ATTIRE above) colours only, and easy to move in. No jewelry, zippers, rivets, non-stretch (woven) fabrics or belts.
Footwear: Wearing dark socks (vs. tights so bare feet are also possible), instead of shoes for classes is fine. Bloch brand style 205 ballet pink* pleated toe leather ballet slippers are likely to be required if performing, but if your child already has gymnastic or ballet slippers in any colour, use them until costume designs are announced. Seamless Mondor brand tights, style 310 in “Ballerina Pink”* may be required for performing.
Boys and Men All Levels of Ballet Primary and up:
Body Wear: A dance belt (male support); white skin-tight T-shirt (tucked in), or white tank or short sleeve bodysuit; black opaque tights, or black or navy blue full-stretch shorts (required for Royal Academy of Dance examinations), or black or navy blue full-stretch fitted (tight to ankle) leggings; and thin white ankle socks.
Shoes: Full sole white leather pleated toe ballet shoes with elastic straps required up to Royal Academy of Dance Grade III; split sole leather shoes otherwise permitted. Always tuck in drawstrings of slippers.
Girls ALL LEVELS of Ballet Pre Primary and up:
Tights: Seamless Mondor brand style 310 or 314 (convertible) in “Ballerina Pink”* required for performing, examinations, etc. but bare legs with or without thin white ankle socks are also good for classes.
Please avoid laundering tights with dark coloured clothes!
Ballet pink tights will be discoloured if laundered with dark items.
Girls up to Royal Academy of Dance Grade II/Non-RAD Ballet Courses to age 9:
Bodysuit: Mondor brand tank bodysuit, style 3545 in “Academy Pink”.
Note: the waistband that comes with this bodysuit is required for R.A.D. examinations and should be worn to every R.A.D. program class.
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 205 in ballet pink = full sole, pleated toe, leather ballet slippers, with elastic straps. Always tuck in drawstrings of slippers.
Girls Royal Academy of Dance Grade III:
Bodysuit: Mondor brand tank bodysuit, style 3545 in “Academy Pink”..
Note: the waistband that comes with this bodysuit is required for R.A.D. examinations and should be worn to every R.A.D. program class.
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 205 in ballet pink = full sole, pleated toe, leather ballet slippers, with elastic straps. Always tuck in drawstrings of slippers.
Girls R.A.D. Courses Grade IV and V and Non-RAD Ballet Courses age 9 and up:
Bodysuit: Mondor Tank style leotard with pinch 3546 .
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 273 in ballet pink = leather ballet slippers, with elastic straps required. Always tuck in drawstrings of slippers.
Girls and Women in Royal Academy of Dance Courses Grade VI to VIII
Bodysuit: Style and colour for an R.A.D. examination will be determined by the instructor. For classes, any “neutral” colour (see definition in ATTIRE above) bodysuit is fine.
Skirt and Scarf: Both a long chiffon skirt and long chiffon scarf will be made for each exam candidate to match her bodysuit. You will be responsible for the cost.
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 273 (split sole, pleated toe, leather ballet slippers) in ballet pink with ribbons required. For classes after examination, and for performing, elastic straps required. Always tuck in draw strings of slippers.
CHARACTER DANCE
Attire required for ALL Royal Academy of Dance Courses Grades I to VIII:
Body Wear: As per Ballet listed above except all female candidates also require a Caulfield School of Dance Character Skirt*.
Female Shoes:
Bloch brand character shoes (lowest heel, style 315 for Grades I and II and higher heel, style 314 for all other grades).
Male Shoes:
Black tap oxfords with no taps, or secure fitting (usually lace-up) black “dress shoes” with hard heels.
Other: All props* and accessories required for examinations will be supplied by the School for a $15.00 per year per student charge.
* A $15.00 per year rental fee is charged to all Grade I to VIII R.A.D. program students for the use of any/all exam items (i.e. Character Skirts for all girls, bolero vest for Grade V boys, etc.). Character Skirts remain in the possession of students and must be brought to EVERY R.A.D. class, examinations, and sometimes as part of a costume for performance. A fee (up to $90.00 for a Character skirt) will be applied for loss or damage to any skirt or other exam item.
Girls and Women R.A.D. Vocational Levels:
Bodysuit: A black bodysuit is required for studio showings/exam. Instructor approval is required for your examination bodysuit. For classes, female students can wear any “neutral” colour (see definition in ATTIRE above) bodysuit.
#13520 MONDOR BODYSUIT
87% Tactel® nylon/13% Lycra® Sport
elastane/ Lining 100% nylon
Camisole Leotard with V-back and
adjustable pinch front, fully lined front
APPROVED FOR:
Intermediate Foundation – Advanced 2
Shoes: Broken down pointe shoes* with sewn ribbons are required. Wrap skirt (Variation 2) and Practice Tutu (Variation 1) in black are also required. (Only one choice per Dancer).
* Wherever “Ballerina Pink”, “ballet pink”, or “caramel”/”tan” colours are specified in the attire requirements, dancers can wear tights or shoes in a colour that matches their skin tone as they prefer for classes, examinations, and performances.
POINTE
Pointe work is required or female Vocational (Intermediate Foundation to Solo Seal) examination candidates. Try many brands with a fitter recommended by the School and choose the best fitting shoes in any brand. Purchase 1” ribbon with pointe shoes, but do not cut or sew ribbons to pointe shoes or mark them in any way before checking the shoes with your teacher(s). Pointe shoes not approved by a teacher must be returned. Draw strings and ribbon ends of pointe shoes must always be tucked in.
* Broken down pointe shoes are required instead of conventional ballet slippers for some Vocational examinations and should be worn in classes. Please confirm with your instructor(s) and do not throw old pointe shoes away!