Tag: dancewear measurement guide

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How Should Ballet Shoes Fit? A Parent’s Complete Fitting Guide

Pink canvas ballet shoes with cloth measuring tape for fitting guide on cream linen

Ballet shoes do not fit like school shoes. They sit snugly — sometimes uncomfortably snug by everyday standards — and that close fit is intentional. Understanding why ballet shoes fit the way they do, and what the difference between a correct fit and a damaging one looks like, saves a lot of frustration and wasted money.

The General Rule: Snug but Not Painful

A well-fitting ballet shoe should feel like a second skin. There should be no excess fabric bunching at the toes or the sides, and the shoe should not slip at the heel when the dancer walks. At the same time, the toes should not be curled or pressed against the end — that causes blisters and can contribute to longer-term foot problems.

Most manufacturers recommend sizing ballet shoes half to one full size smaller than a standard street shoe. This varies by brand and style, so always check the specific size chart for the shoe you are buying.

Fitting the Toes

Stand the dancer on a hard floor in the shoes. The tips of the longest toes should just brush — or come within a couple of millimetres of — the end of the shoe. You should not be able to push a finger between the toe and the shoe end when the dancer is standing flat.

When the dancer rises to demi-pointe, the toes should flatten slightly and the shoe should hold them without the fabric wrinkling excessively at the sides. A small amount of gathering in the drawstring area is normal; large folds of canvas across the top of the shoe indicate the shoe is too wide or too long.

Fitting the Heel

The heel of the shoe should sit flat against the Achilles tendon with no gap or slippage. Ask the dancer to rise to demi-pointe and lower back down several times: if the heel of the shoe lifts away from the foot, the shoe is too long or the elastics need adjusting.

Fitting the Width

Ballet shoes are available in different width fittings. Most standard shoes are made for a medium width foot. Dancers with wider feet should look specifically for wide-fitting shoes, as forcing a wide foot into a standard fitting shoe creates pressure points across the knuckles of the toes.

Our ballet shoe width fitting guide explains narrow, medium and wide options in detail and covers how to measure your child’s foot at home before buying.

How Much Growing Room Is Acceptable?

None, ideally. Unlike school shoes, ballet shoes should not have growing room built in. A shoe with half an inch of space at the toe will wrinkle at the instep, prevent the foot from pointing cleanly, and cause the dancer to grip with the toes to stop the shoe from falling off. This means ballet shoes need replacing more often than street shoes. Children in active classes often need new shoes every four to six months during growth spurts.

Buying Online: How to Measure at Home

Place a piece of paper on a hard floor. Have the dancer stand on it with their weight evenly distributed. Trace around both feet. Measure the distance from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe on each foot — feet are often slightly different sizes. Use the larger measurement as your reference.

Compare this to the brand’s size chart, and if your measurement falls between sizes, go for the smaller size when the brand suggests a snug fit, as most ballet shoe brands do. See our full online buying guide for more tips on measuring and sizing remotely.

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Ballet Tights Size Guide: How to Find the Right Size for Your Child

Ballet tights size guide – pink footed tights folded with measuring tape flatlay

Ballet tights are one of the most frequently reordered items in a dancer’s kit — and one of the most commonly bought in the wrong size. Too small and they roll down, restrict movement or ladder quickly. Too large and they bag at the ankles and knees, looking untidy for class and examinations. This guide explains how to measure correctly and choose the right size every time.

How Ballet Tights Are Sized

Most ballet tights for children are sized by height in centimetres (cm) or by age, and sometimes by a combination of both. Adult tights are typically sized by height and waist or hip measurement. Sizes vary between brands, so always check the specific size chart provided by the manufacturer rather than assuming sizes are consistent across products.

Common children’s sizing categories:

  • Height-based (e.g. 92–104cm, 104–116cm): Most reliable for ballet tights as height affects the crotch-to-waist length most directly
  • Age-based (e.g. 2–4 years, 5–7 years): Useful as a starting point but less reliable as children vary in height
  • XS/S/M/L/XL: Used for teen and adult tights; check whether these correspond to height or waist

How to Measure Your Child for Ballet Tights

Take three measurements for the most accurate size selection:

  1. Height: Have your child stand straight against a wall without shoes. Measure from the floor to the top of the head in centimetres.
  2. Waist: Measure around the natural waist — the narrowest point above the hips. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
  3. Hip/Seat: Measure around the fullest part of the hips and bottom.

For most children’s ballet tights, height is the primary measurement. If your child’s height falls between two sizes, size up rather than down. Ballet tights have stretch, and a slightly larger size will accommodate growth and wash-and-wear stretch better than a size that starts tight.

Footed vs Convertible Tights: Does Sizing Differ?

The sizing process is the same for footed, convertible and stirrup styles. However, with convertible tights, a slightly longer leg length is less noticeable because the foot hole can be rolled up. With footed tights, a poor foot-to-leg fit is immediately visible, so accurate sizing matters more.

What Colour Ballet Tights Does Your Child Need?

The colour is determined by the exam board and school. For RAD examinations:

  • Pre-Primary and Primary: Pink tights (standard ballet pink)
  • Grades 1–5: Pink tights
  • Grades 6–8: Pink tights (some schools specify theatrical pink or flesh tone)
  • Vocational: Pink tights; flesh/skin-tone in some sections

If you are unsure, ballet pink is the safe default for RAD graded work. Skin-tone tights are usually only required for vocational level or performance work.

How Many Pairs Does a Ballet Student Need?

For regular weekly class, two pairs minimum is practical — one to wear and one clean spare. For students preparing for exams, three pairs is better: one to wear to the exam, one backup, and one for class. Ballet tights are delicate and can ladder unexpectedly, so having a spare on exam day is essential.

How to Make Ballet Tights Last Longer

Wash at 30°C in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Turn inside out before washing. Do not tumble dry — lay flat or hang to dry. Do not use fabric softener, which weakens elastane fibres over time. Trim fingernails before putting tights on, as sharp edges are a common cause of laddering.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I size up or down when buying ballet tights?

Size up when in doubt. Ballet tights will stretch slightly with wear, and a pair that starts tight will become uncomfortable quickly and is more likely to ladder. A slightly generous size wears better and lasts longer.

My child is tall but slim — which measurement do I use?

Use height as the primary measurement. Most ballet tights are designed for a range of builds and the waistband is elasticated to accommodate variation. If your child is significantly outside the typical height-to-waist ratio, try a size based on height and adjust the waistband with a safety pin inside if needed.

How often should ballet tights be replaced?

With regular class use (once or twice a week), well-maintained tights typically last a full term (10–12 weeks). They should be replaced sooner if they develop visible thinning, repeated ladders, or have lost elasticity and bag at the knees or ankles.

Do ballet tights shrink in the wash?

Some shrinkage is possible if washed at high temperatures or tumble dried. Wash at 30°C or below on a gentle cycle and air dry to maintain the original size and shape.

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How to Measure for a Ballet Leotard: A Parent’s Sizing Guide

How to Measure for a Ballet Leotard: A Parent's Sizing Guide

Ballet leotards must fit snugly without restricting movement — too loose and they bunch and wrinkle during class, too tight and they are uncomfortable and may limit range of motion. Most leotard sizing is based on a combination of height and chest measurement, but the most useful single measurement for fit is the girth.

Short answer: Ballet leotards must fit snugly without restricting movement — too loose and they bunch and wrinkle during class, too tight and they are uncomfortable and may limit range of motion.

What measurements do you need for a ballet leotard?

For most children’s leotards, the key measurements are:

  • Height — measured from the floor to the top of the head in bare feet, standing straight
  • Chest — measured around the widest part of the chest, directly under the armpits, keeping the tape level and not too tight
  • Waist — measured around the narrowest point of the waist
  • Girth — the single most useful measurement; measured from the top of one shoulder, down through the crotch, and back up to the same shoulder

The girth measurement tells you how long the body of the leotard needs to be from shoulder to crotch. A leotard that is too short in the girth will pull down at the neckline or pull up uncomfortably at the leg opening.

How to take the girth measurement correctly

Have the child stand upright in underwear. Place the end of a soft measuring tape at the top of one shoulder, run it straight down the front of the body, between the legs, and up the back to the same shoulder. Note the number. Take this measurement twice and use the average. This is the girth measurement and is the most reliable predictor of leotard fit for a growing child.

How to choose the right size from a size chart

Most dancewear brands provide size charts with height and chest ranges for each size label. Match the child’s measurements against the chart and, when the measurements fall between two sizes, size up rather than down. Leotards are worn over tights which add a small amount of bulk, and a slightly larger leotard that fits properly is always preferable to one that is technically the right size but feels restrictive.

Note that different brands size differently — a size 6 in one brand may correspond to a size 8 in another. Always use the brand’s own measurement chart rather than relying on age labels.

How to check the fit before buying

If you are shopping in a dance store, have the child try the leotard on over their tights. Ask them to raise both arms overhead: the neckline and shoulder straps should not pull significantly. Have them do a small squat: the crotch seam should not pull down uncomfortably. If the store does not allow trying on, purchase from a retailer with a clear exchange or returns policy in case the size needs to change.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the girth measurement and why is it important for leotards?

The girth is the measurement from the front shoulder, down through the crotch and back up to the back shoulder. This measurement determines whether the torso length is right — a leotard that is too short in the girth will pull and be uncomfortable.

Do I measure over clothes for a ballet leotard?

Take measurements over a thin layer of clothing or an existing leotard. Measuring over bulky clothes will give you a larger number and result in a leotard that is too big. The tape should lie flat against the body with no slack.

My child is between sizes — should I size up or down for a ballet leotard?

Always size up. A slightly larger leotard is wearable and will last a little longer as the child grows. A leotard that is too small will pull at the shoulders, dig in at the leg openings and restrict movement.