First ballet lesson on sat, ooh ooh ooh,

How did it go then? Did she love it? Did you have a wee weep?

Whatever you do, don't sew the elastic through the cord that runs around the top of the shoe as this helps tighten or loosen the shoes iyswim. Sew just below it.

If your dd does tap, then often trainers or plimsolls will suffice for a first lesson or two until you get kitted out with tap shoes. My DD's dance class has a uniform shop visit once a month to check shoe fittings and swop them around so she was very busy the first week back .

If they do RAD and ISTD it is very likely that it is RAD for ballet and ISTD for tap and jazz.

For a first lesson bare feet and leggings/t-shirt is fine. No socks or tights without shoes that is too dangerous. Hair shouldbe tied back or it gets inthe way.

RAD pre-syllabus and pre-primary uniform is sotton short leeved leotard and a voile skirt but it can either be pink, white or blue depending on the school. They wear pink ballet socks not tights at that level. Dd's uniform was white but now she is in Grade 1 it is a lavender leotard, no skirt.

Cheapest place online is www.dancedirect.com but I'd get the 1st pair of shoes from a shop as they fit very small.

oh, it's easy (the elastic)- REALLY, I am rubbish seamstress!!

or you can buy ready-sewn

oforfoxsake - my DD has exactly the same outfit. We purchased ours yesterday and it was a lovely Mother and Daughter moment seeing DD in her first ballet outfit!

Only problem is I'm hopeless at sewing and am not even capable of sewing that pink elastic into the shoe..do you have any tips?!

Did they ring you back? I need to know if she will be in pink or blue?!

depends whether RAD or ISTD ballet school, uniform is different....

the girls started term in a mix of summer frocks ,leggings and T shirts and big sisters outgrown leotards.Now all seem to be in pink leotards and voile pink skirts and tights. the cardigans came out this week!
I'd hold off buying "the works" for a week or two. one mum who did buy it all for week one now has a child who screams and refuses to join in... is most narked at having spent all that.
Our teacher keeps a basket of cast off ballet shoes in all sizes for new or young with fast growing feet children to use over tights or socks. Boy is still using those as his feet are growing so fast I don;t want to keep spending 8 quid on new shoes he wears fro 3 weeks.
Boy wears blue Lycra shorts and either a white vest or a white or blue snug fit T shirt. He is not " in uniform" but its practical and close to proper ballet boy uniform. His socks I let him chose! so mostly stripey in bright colours!

someone selling the full kit here:

89059QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260309689059&trksid=p3286.c0.m14&trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A1 2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

I should add that they are very specific at DDs lessons on what should be worn, so it really depends on the school.

Scary what Drivingmecrazy says!

I would give them a call back and ask. If eveyone else has the same thing on your DD might not want to look different.

We have a pink leotard (t-shirt sleeves), the pink skirt with dots, pink socks and ballet shoes (elastic sewn over the top). We also have pink hair band, and a wrap-top. (Because I couldn't resist it!)

I loved buying it all together. Shop assistant was very patient with me being a Nightmare Ballet Mom

Does the school have a web-site? Or can you email? I'm wondering if you are at the same place we are, as the lady there puts the fear of God into me!

The point of having a strict code of dress is because ballet is a discipline. DD2 can get away with all sorts (within reason) But DD2 has to have hair just so (french plait and hair band for lessons, bun & band for exams) Also for exams uniform has to be just so or they will get marked down. But i don't think it's all bad because the discipline it teaches them is a positive thing. Ballet is a very precise form of dance so it makes sense that how you look should convey that.
Having said that I knew nothing until 4 years ago, make-up for the shows was a joke and the intimidation you feel from all the other mums who have being doing it for years is awful, but you soon learn. It's another world, not one i would choose but DD1 is pretty talented so have had to learn. wait til she starts tap and modern dance too. I never realised how exhausting it all is. Need a sit down now just thinking of it

I wouldn't send her in a tutu, tbh. My dd is also 4 - I put her in a light blue leotard and ballet shoes. She does also have a little chiffon skirt, but that isn't essential.

The RAD stuff seems pretty expensive to me and you can get cheaper versions online...

It took ages to wash out .

I was a squirmer myself when it came to sorting out my hair . In the end I persuaded my Mum to let me grow my hair so it went into a bun which took most of the stress out. 4 is probably a bit young for that though. For shows, I used to use mousse and gel to keep it all back topped off with hairspray (14yr olds have no concept that less is sometimes more).

Have you tried getting bobbles without the metal bits in? I got some in Sainsbury's the other week and a ballet hairband (or any wide hairband) on top should keep it all back.

At 4, a hairband would be sufficient for 'ballet hair' but tied back somehow if it's long enough.