New Ballet Student Starter Kit: What to Buy Before the First Term

Your child has a place at a ballet school and the term starts in a few weeks. If you have never bought ballet uniform before, it can be difficult to know where to start: what is essential, what can wait, and what the teacher actually cares about versus what is optional. This guide breaks it down clearly.

The Non-Negotiable Starter Essentials

Before the first class, every new ballet student needs three things:

1. A leotard in the school’s required colour — the teacher should tell you this before term starts. Do not buy a leotard before you know the colour.
2. Ballet tights in the correct colour — almost always pink for Pre-Primary and Primary; check with the school.
3. Ballet shoes in the correct style — almost always pink canvas full-sole for beginners. The school may specify a particular brand.

These three items are what every teacher will check on the first day. Everything else — warm-up clothes, bags, accessories — can follow in the first few weeks.

Choosing the Right Ballet Shoes for a Beginner

For very young beginners (Pre-Primary, aged 4–6), a pink canvas full-sole ballet shoe is the standard. The full sole provides more structure and is better for developing feet than a split sole, which is designed for more advanced students.

Ballet shoes should fit snugly but not tightly. The toe should not curl, but there should be no more than a small amount of growing room (1–1.5cm maximum). Overly large shoes are a common buying mistake — they cause tripping, slide off during class, and make it harder for the teacher to see foot placement.

If possible, have ballet shoes fitted in-person at a specialist dance shop. If ordering online, use the brand’s size guide and measure the child’s foot in centimetres rather than relying on standard shoe size conversions.

The Leotard: What to Look For

Ballet leotards for young children should be:

• The correct colour as specified by the school
• A comfortable, close-fitting style without excessive decoration
• Made from a fabric with enough stretch for full range of movement (nylon-lycra blend is standard)
• The right size — not sized up for growing room, as a baggy leotard looks untidy

For Pre-Primary and Primary students, a simple tank-top or short-sleeve style is usual. If the teacher does not specify the sleeve style, a simple tank in the correct colour is safe.

Tights: What to Buy

Pink full-footed tights are the standard starter purchase. Buy two pairs — one to wear and one spare. Ballet tights ladder, snag and wear out, and having a backup means class is not disrupted by a wardrobe emergency.

Size tights by height, not age. If your child is between sizes, go up one size.

What Can Wait: Second Month Additions

These items are useful but not essential for the very first class:

• Warm-up clothes: A ballet cardigan or wrap sweater for keeping warm before class and during breaks.
• Ballet bag: A small tote or backpack for carrying uniform to and from school. Any bag works initially.
• Hair accessories: For the first few classes, a plain hair tie and a few kirby grips to secure a bun are enough.

What Not to Buy Yet

• Pointe shoes: Pointe work begins only when a teacher assesses the student as physically and technically ready, typically no earlier than age 11 and after several years of consistent training. Never buy pointe shoes speculatively.
• Character shoes: Required at some grade levels but not for beginners. Wait until the teacher says they are needed.
• Multiple leotards in different colours: Buy the required colour for the current grade only.

A Realistic Budget for a New Starter

A complete starter kit — leotard, tights (two pairs) and ballet shoes — typically costs between £25 and £60 depending on brand and where you buy. Buying online from a specialist ballet retailer is often more economical than a high street dance shop, and the quality is comparable when you buy from a reputable supplier.