Ballet starts today for the girls and I wanted to share a few of my tried and trusted favorite dance supplies with you!
EDIT: Q has been dancing several years since this post and I’ve learned a few things along the way that I’ve updated with and asterisk! (*)
Dance Bags
Splurge:
Steal:
- Target Pink Mini Parachute Satchel (we got these this year and had the girls names monogrammed in white! They’re SO cute!!)
- Personalized Totes (We used these last year and they were perfect for smaller girls who don’t have much to carry into dance class. We needed something bigger this year.)
Update:
- *We’ve learned along the way that these sweet mini bags just don’t cut it as you get more serious about dance. Dancers joining a team or company where they are required to go from one genre class to the next will need a larger bag. Q upgraded to her company-issed black dance backpack, but here is a cheaper option. Water bottle slots are key! 😉
Dance Shoes
Splurge:
- Ballet- Bloch They’ve come out with “string/tie” free ballet slippers. We purchased some this year and if you hate tying those tiny little strings into knots or bows like I do, these are totally worth the extra $9!
- Tap- Capezio We are lucky enough to have a Capezio store right by us so we always run in to get new dance shoes every year. It’s kind of a fun tradition for my girls to get fitted together.
Steal:
- Ballet- Target ballet shoes ( I grabbed Cub some of these last year last minute and they lasted the whole season!)
- Tap- Target Tap Shoes (Ok I just totally dropped the ball last year when none of Q’s hand-me-downs fit Cub and I ran to Target to get all of her shoes. These were fine for the year. But they aren’t THAT much cheaper than the Capezio and the velcro strap kept putting pulls in her tights!)
Update:
- *I’m not sure if this is for every studio, but at ours, we learned last year that the ballet shoes required for higher level ballet dancers are the canvas ones, not the leather. Like the Bloch ones linked above! Also available HERE .
Transition Shoes
Splurge:
- Mini Melissa– We’ve been buying MMs for years now and they are our FAVORITE shoes to wear into and out of dance class…can’t be scuffing up those tap shoes and slippers, now!
Steal:
- Old Navy Pink Jelly Mary Janes – They may not be as soft or durable as Mini Melissa, but these bad boys are sweet and CHEAP…not to mention bringing back some totally 80s vibes.
“Pro”:
- These Dance warm-up booties are great transition shoes! I love them for when Q has multiple classes to go to and she can slip these on OVER her dance shoes in between classes. They are designed to fit over ballet & jazz shoes so that you can get your kiddos fully dressed for dance (dance shoes included) and then run in/out of the studio (while keeping your dance shoe soles protected), and then just slip them off right before class. We’ve recently changed over to these booties and the “no more changing in/out of dance shoes in the lobby” has been a game changer! They come in lots of colors. The sizing can be tricky though. Q is in a shoe size 1, and wears the XL (but I think she could’ve gotten away with the L). Ardyn is a shoe size 11 and she wears a M.
When in doubt…my girls throw on their rain boots when we are headed to dance class! Favorites here: one | two | three
Tights
Splurge:
- Capezio– I’ve found with dance tights, more is MORE! The more expensive, the better the quality, the longer they last! I splurge for a few nice thick pairs and they last SO much longer than the thin cheapies!
Steal:
- Target Tights – Use in a pinch and be warned…they’ll rip after one wear and I can’t stand the seams that show.
- Dipug Tights – Found these on Amazon & giving them a try…stay posted!
Update:
- *If your little one dances multiple genres, invest in nice transition tights. Q pulls the foot down for ballet, then folds it up for contemporary and acro when she dances barefoot. The capezio “ballet pink” transition tight are my favorite.
Leotards
*I used to do all the fun leotards from my fav small IG shops, but Q’s dance studio has a strict dress code/uniform by class/level so we have to stick to the basics now. I’ll tag some of my fun IG leotard shops below for you!
Splurge:
- Capezio is my go-to for quality/basic dance clothes, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price! I find capezio deals on zappos and amazon!
Steal:
- Zulily always has the BEST deals on dance clothes!
- Target their “less blingy” leotards are pretty cute! These skirted ones are sweet for tiny dancers!
IG Shops:
Extras
*EDIT: Our studio does NOT support the bun maker, OR any fun accessories. Haha! I was very sad to learn this…especially after perfecting the donut-bun on my girls’ hair! Q is required to wear a low, flat ballet bun–NO bows or accessories. But I’m including some for you just in case!
- bun maker & hair kit (I do LOVE this hair kit!)
- cute bows! one | two | three | four
- dance scrunchies
- ballet skirts
- sweater wraps: one | two
- Tutus: one | two
- legwarmers
- water bottles
- FUN leotards: one | two
- Dance shorts
- Dance Wear (cover ups): one | two | three | four
- Ballerina necklace
Dance Books
Ivy & Bean | Tallulah’s Tutu | Miss Lina’s Ballerinas |Ella Bella Ballerina | The Ballet Book (Q loves “big girl” books like this!) | We Love Ballet | The Yellow Tutu
Happy Dancing!
For ideas on a fun Ballet-themed birthday party, click HERE!
