Ballet is over 500 years old, meaning it has been perfected for over 5 centuries, as technique has improved so has the clothing industry and that has had a huge influence on ballet...
Starting from head to toe: Hair, a girl's crowning jewel should not get in the way of perfect ballet. To achieve this a single bun, or 2 buns at the side of the head for students doing floorwork, is best. There are many reasons for this, firstly it is so that the dancer does not scrunch their (cervical) spine and learn bad neck alignment which will transfer into poor posture, secondly hair in a dancers face is a distraction and limits their vision and concentration, this could cost a dancer a misstep that is a price not dancer should have to pay and can easily be avoided.
A leotard should fit like a second skin, because essentially that is what it is, it covers up, but allows the teacher to see where each alignment is and where and how the muscles are working - this is necessary to teach correct technique which will reduce risk of injuries; while still allowing the dancer to breath and move with nothing getting in their way.
The stockings are not simply for smoothening the leg or lessen friction between feet and shoes, but more importantly it is to keep the muscles warm and assist in warming up the muscles, if muscles get cold to quickly or are overused while cold there is a huge risk of tearing muscles and injuring ligaments and tendons.
The colour of the stockings should always match the colour of the shoes, and ideally both the stockings and the shoes should match the dancers skin tone. The reason for this is because it will make the dancer look slimmer and taller, this is not necessary at a stating level and many majors do not follow this guideline due to it being so difficult to find the correct colour.
Finally we come to what Cinderella really taught us; a new pair off shoes can change a girls life. Before we get to pointe shoes, flats are just as important, and walking barefoot is recommended to strengthen the foots intrinsic muscles. Flats over very little support which is a touch of the secret to strengthening a dancers feet, it also overs very little resistance so that all the muscles in the foot is available for use.
And now, Pointe shoes, every little girl's glass slipper - pointe shoes should not be worn if a student's feet is not strong enough or has not yet finished growing. once the student is ready the teacher will explain how to fit, tie and care for your pointe shoes.
When dancing makes you happy, your happily ever after is only a few beats away...
