Children who arrive at dance class wearing the exact clothes, hairstyle, and shoes they wore to school are often still mentally in “school mode,” which can make it harder for them to fully engage and get the most out of class.

Dress codes are in place to help your dancer succeed.

The simple act of changing clothes and adjusting hair helps children (and adults!) transition into their dancer mindset—focused, ready to learn, and ready to shine.

Form-fitting clothing allows instructors to clearly see alignment and posture, making it easier to offer corrections and for dancers to self-correct using the mirror.

Keeping hair pulled away from the face (and off the neck when required) allows both the dancer and teacher to better refine placement and movement of some of the most expressive parts of the body.

A dancer’s most important tool is their body—but shoes come in a close second! Dancers take pride in their shoes as a symbol of growth, effort, and achievement.

NOTE FOR SUMMER CLASSES:
We do not expect dancers to purchase new shoes for a 3–4 day class. We have a limited supply of gently used shoes available on site to look through before class begins.

  • Ballet, Jazz & Contemporary: Using socks or Barefoot is acceptable.

  • Tap: Clean shoes (an old pair which are cleaned is fine) with a smooth, solid sole that stay securely on the foot can be used as a backup if tap shoes are unavailable.

  • Hip Hop: Clean (an old pair which are cleaned is fine) tennis or athletic shoes.

  • Spirit Camps: Please send dancers in closed-toed athletic shoes suitable for concrete. We will be going in and out of the building. Shoes will be removed once indoors.

Where do I buy dance shoes and clothing?

We recommend Capezio, Bloch or Theatricals brand shoes for Tap, Jazz & Ballet. You can find these online at Amazon and Zappos. You can also go to Contra Costa Dancewear in Walnut Creek for shoes and dance wear. Target and Target.com now have a whole dance section, mostly for younger girls. Target tap shoes are low quality that have rough tap edges, unfortunately, and we ask that you do not wear these in our studio. For shopping on-line for older female and male dancers, or for more professional selections, we recommend Discount Dance Supply and Dancewear Solutions. A newer SF dance store run by dancers is located on Hayes Street called SF Dance Gear.

Studio-Wide Req. Dance Shoes - Quick Chart

NO STREET SHOES ALLOWED ON DANCE FLOORS!

  • Hip Hop: Clean sneakers with non-marking soles. No sand or tanbark.

  • Tap: Black for performance (all levels) - Any color in class

  • Jazz: Black for performance (all levels) - Any color in class

  • Ballet: Pink ballet flats

  • Contemporary: Bare feet or half-sole shoes (“dance paws”)

  • Funky Freedom and 3 y/o Class: Bare feet or any dance shoes except tap!

Dress Code by Class Type

EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES

The littlest dancers often come to class in the most fabulous outfits. We find Joy in their dress up Joy!

  • As long as the outfit is safe (they won't trip) and not distracting to the class (full-on Elsa costume=distracting), wear it!

  • Please leave play jewelry and props at home or in the dance bag for later.

HIP HOP & FUNKY FREEDOM

Clothing: Comfortable clothing that allows free movement. Dancers may wear fitted tops of any kind and fitted sweats, yoga pants or shorts. If it is distracting (too baggy, too bulky, too short or something that constantly needs adjusting), don't wear it – no jeans or pants with metal rivets/snaps please.

Hair: Any style that does not fall in the face or distract.

Shoes: Dancers can wear jazz shoes or any clean sneakers that are only for their dance class – no dirty street shoes please (dancers should be changing into their Hip Hop shoes after they arrive). Take any pair you own now, clean them, and designate them for dance. The JiM Stage Show will require shoes of a certain color scheme or theme TBD.

COMBINATION CLASSES

Clothing: Comfortable and slightly form-fitting athletic, fitness or dancewear. Examples include tights and a leotard or dance dress. Leggings and a sport tank. Sweats and a not-too-baggy tee for boys. No jeans or pants with metal rivets/snaps please.

Hair: Any style that pulls hair out of the face and off of the neck.

Shoes: Black tap and jazz shoes will be worn in the JiM Stage Show if your class performs a tap/jazz dance. For ballet, pink ballet slippers for girls and black (leather or canvas) for boys. In class, jazz shoes of any color, ballet slippers or bare feet are fine for jazz and any style/color tap shoes. 

TAP

Clothing: Comfortable dance or athletic clothing that allows free movement. Dancers may wear fitted tops of any kind and fitted sweats, yoga pants or shorts. If it is distracting (too baggy, too bulky, too short or something that constantly needs adjusting), don't wear it – no jeans or pants with metal rivets/snaps please.

Hair: Hair out of face and off of neck. Ponytail, etc. Upper levels may wear hair down at teacher discretion.

Shoes: Any style/color tap shoes are ok for class. Black Tap will be worn in JiM Stage Show. For preschool through 1st/2nd grade combo classes, patent leather (shiny) shoes are recommended because they are less expensive and more widely available in smaller sizes. For older combo classes and stand-alone tap classes, please look for matte leather in any style (buckle, slip-on, laces). PLEASE NOTE: Tap shoes that have been worn on sidewalks/streets scratch floors. Please treat your tap shoes like an artist's tool and keep them in good repair (including checking for loose screws/nails).

JAZZ

Clothing: Dance/yoga/fitness attire that is form fitting. Tights, leggings, fitted shorts (that aren’t too short), leotards, tanks, tees and camisoles that are tight to the torso are all acceptable – no jeans please.

Hair: Any style up off of the neck that will not "whip" into the face or need constant adjusting. Ponytail, bun, etc. Headbands secured with clips or bobby pins.

Shoes: Black Jazz (elastic or laces, ok) will be worn in JiM Stage Show. Bare feet, ballet slippers, or dance paws are also ok for class.

BALLET

Clothing: Any solid color/style leotard. Pink, black, or no tights. Tight (spandex type) shorts or leggings in solid colors allowed. Wrap or pull-on ballet skirts welcome. Tight tank with no words/images or ballet sweater (any fitted layer with arms but cropped or worn like a shrug), and ankle warmers that aren't bulky allowed for warmth in cold weather.

Hair: Bun or any style that puts all hair secured to the head and off the neck. No ponytails please.

Shoes: Pink ballet slippers. Leather or canvas are fine. Trim long elastic ties.

CONTEMPORARY

Clothing: Dance/yoga/fitness attire that is form fitting. Tights, leggings, fitted shorts (that aren’t too short), leotards, tanks, tees and camisoles that are tight to the torso are all acceptable – no wide leg pants, skirts or jeans please. We will be moving on the floor.

Hair: Any style up off of the neck that will not "whip" into the face or need constant adjusting. Ponytail, bun, etc. Headbands secured with clips or bobby pins. Some days dancers will be able to practice choreography with hair down at the end of class.

Shoes/Knee Pads: Optional and teachers will discuss if there is a need in each specific class!

Footwear: Barefoot or cotton socks