Ballet Hair Accessories: Ribbons, Headbands and Bows for Class

The most common hair accessory in ballet is the plain hairnet that covers a bun — functional, invisible and universally required for examinations. But beyond the net, there is a range of hair accessories worn at different stages of ballet training: from the long satin hair ribbons that young children carry in their buns to the floral headbands used in character work. Each accessory has a specific context and is not always appropriate in every class or exam setting.

Short answer: The most common hair accessory in ballet is the plain hairnet that covers a bun — functional, invisible and universally required for examinations.

Satin hair bows and ribbon bows

A classic ballet hair bow — a large satin bow worn at the base of the bun or on a headband — is most associated with young children in Early Years and Pre-Primary classes. It adds a decorative touch and is often used in performance costumes and end-of-term shows at this level. For everyday class use, a bow is usually school-specific: some studios include it as part of their uniform, while others keep the look plain and reserve decorations for performance.

Long trailing satin ribbons attached to a bow or clip are sometimes used in Early Years performances, where the ribbon creates a visual effect as the child moves. They are a performance accessory rather than an everyday class item.

Flower headbands and floral bun decorations

Flower headbands and floral bun covers appear most commonly in performance contexts — ballet shows, recitals and end-of-year performances — particularly at the younger levels. Some schools issue or specify a standard floral headband for performances to create a uniform look across the group. Floral accessories are not typically appropriate for graded examinations, where the RAD expects a plain, undecorated appearance.

Hair ribbons for character dance

In character dance sections of the RAD syllabus, a long satin ribbon attached to the hair is sometimes specified as part of the costume for particular dances at specific grades. Unlike everyday hair accessories, this ribbon is a costume element tied to the character being portrayed. Check your teacher’s guidance for whether and when a character hair ribbon is needed for your grade’s examination work.

What hair accessories are and are not allowed in RAD examinations?

For RAD graded examinations, the general expectation is a plain bun with a hairnet in a colour that matches the hair. Decorative accessories — bows, flowers, sparkly pins, large clips — are not part of the standard exam appearance unless specifically required for a character piece within the examination. Small plain pins used to secure the bun are acceptable; visible decorative elements generally are not. If you are unsure whether a specific accessory is permitted, ask your teacher in advance. A plain, neat appearance with no accessories in doubt is always the safe choice.

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