Short answer: What Is a Character Skirt? A character skirt is the black mid-length skirt worn by female ballet students for the character and national dance sections of their class and examinations.
What Is a Character Skirt?
A character skirt is the black mid-length skirt worn by female ballet students for the character and national dance sections of their class and examinations. In the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, it is introduced at the Primary grade and remains part of the required uniform through all subsequent grades.
Character dance — also called national dance — draws on folk dance traditions from countries such as Hungary, Russia, Poland, and Spain. The character skirt replaces the free-flowing tutu of classical ballet with a more structured, practical garment that suits the stronger, earthier movements of character work.
What Does a Character Skirt Look Like?
A standard RAD character skirt is:
- Black — the required colour across all RAD grades
- Mid-length — falling to just below the knee or at the mid-calf, depending on the grade
- Slightly flared — with enough volume to move during turns and kicks, but not a full circle skirt
- Firm fabric — typically a polyester or cotton blend that holds its shape rather than floating loosely
Some character skirts have a decorative trim at the hem — a narrow ribbon or braid band in a contrasting colour. The RAD uniform specifications for each grade will confirm whether a trim is required.
When Is the Character Skirt Introduced?
The character skirt is introduced at the RAD Primary grade, when students are typically aged five to seven. At this level, students perform their first simple character exercises as part of the examination syllabus. From Primary onward, the skirt remains a permanent part of the class uniform alongside the grade-specific leotard and character shoes.
What Is a Character Skirt Worn With?
A character skirt is always worn:
- Over the grade-specific leotard and pink ballet tights
- With character shoes — not soft ballet shoes. Character shoes have a low Cuban or Spanish heel and a strap across the instep.
- Without a separate wrap skirt or additional layers for examinations
During classical sections of the class (pliés, tendus, pointe work), the character skirt is typically removed and the student works in just their leotard and tights.
How Should a Character Skirt Fit?
The character skirt should sit at the natural waist and fall to approximately mid-calf or just below the knee. It should be comfortable enough to allow full hip and leg movement — high kicks, stamps, and turns — without being so loose that it moves erratically. Most character skirts fasten with a button or hook and eye at the back waist or with an elasticated waistband for younger students.
Check the RAD’s current published uniform specifications for the exact hemline length required for your child’s grade, as this can vary slightly.
How to Care for a Character Skirt
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C
- Hang to dry — do not tumble dry, as heat can damage the fabric and cause shrinkage
- Iron on a low setting if needed; hang after ironing to cool flat
- Store hanging or folded flat — avoid cramming into a bag to prevent creasing
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a character skirt in ballet?
A character skirt is the black mid-length skirt required for character and national dance sections of RAD ballet classes and examinations. It is introduced at the Primary grade and is worn with character shoes rather than soft ballet shoes.
What grade do you start wearing a character skirt?
In the RAD syllabus, the character skirt is introduced at the Primary grade. This is typically for children aged five to seven. It continues to be worn from Primary through all subsequent grades.
What colour is a character skirt?
The standard RAD character skirt is black. Some grades may require a decorative trim at the hem; always check the RAD’s current published uniform requirements for the specific grade.
What are character shoes?
Character shoes are low-heeled shoes worn for character dance. They have a small Cuban or Spanish heel (typically 1–4 cm) and a strap across the instep. They are different from soft ballet shoes and are required for character sections of RAD examinations.
Can my child wear their character skirt for the whole ballet class?
The character skirt is usually worn only for the character sections of class and examinations. During classical ballet work (barre exercises, pointe work, centre work), the skirt is typically removed and the student works in their leotard and tights alone.