Dance Gear
Different dance styles need different gear, dance clothing. You cannot go en pointe in a pair of tap shoes and you cannot hoof it in sandal soles. Here's a run down of what gear you need for what dance style.
Beginning ballerinas wear ballet slippers exclusively when training. Ballet slippers come in satin, leather, or canvas and have elastic straps to hold them in place. You may have to sew the elastic in place on some slippers so that they fit you perfectly.
Once your instructor has determined that you are ready to go en pointe, you will need pointe shoes as well. Pointe shoes differ from regular ballet slippers because they have a box built into the shoe to support the toe and provide balance. The soles of pointe shoes are also stiffer than ballet slippers.
To tap dance, you need shoes that have a metal plate on both the heel and ball of the shoe. If you take a jazz class, your instructor may request that you wear a specific jazz shoe, while some will let you dance in stocking feet. Jazz shoes come in several styles, including the jazz sneaker and jazz sandal.
Other dance clothing includes leotards, tights, and skirts. You want to wear comfortable gear in class so that you move freely. Dance gear ranges from the simple, such as a nude or pink leotard and plain ballet skirt, to the flashy, such as sequin covered costumes. A dance gear trend of late has been clothes that let the world know you are a dancer and that feature cute sayings on them.