Ballet leotard etc - where to buy it?

[newstart2010]

Just wondering, dd is only 3 and just started ballet. We went to the local dance shop today and bought the pumps for £13, which I thought was not bad.

But the leotard with a little skirt attached was £20 and quite boring. Just wondering if you can get any good quality ones online? Or any high street shops at reasonable prices?

Its really exciting, what elese would you buy at this early stage?

£13 , dd has just had new ones for an exam and they weren't that much! H and M and Tesco do a small range or try ebay. Check whether they need a particular uniform, some classes are more strict than others, or if they sell on outgrown ones.

Lizs - why are you shocked about the price of the ballet shoes? Is that cheap or expensive?

Yea I was sure I had seen them in H&M I will have another look

Expensive ! dd's were £11.50 from a local specialist shop but she's 8 (plus then had ribbon and new socks for exam) and I thought that a lot in comparison with previous years.

Sainsbury's do very nice ones, for around 7 pounds. And H&M.

I'm not sure if I should go for the leotard with the skirt attached like swimming costume material.

Or the cotton leotard with the skirt that comes seprate.

Which one would you go for? And are both of them used for differnt things?

Just looking for my own DD - Next looks good (poss only online?)

dd has had them them separately apart form when she very first started at 3, in a class not following a syllabus. The velour all in ones are ordered for shows and the shiny lycra ones for other forms of dance such as jazz and tap. What do others wear ?

oh thanks will look online.

the others wear a leotard and seprate skirt, but a few wear leotard and skirt attached.

I think the lycra one would wash better and last longer.

I run a dance school, we have a board that parents put adverts for selling outgrown stuff on, because at that age it's hardly used by the time it's too small! We also pay about £7 for black or pink ballet flats so imho £13 is quite expensive. She'll be size 00 (double zero) if you want to order anything online, this size tends to fit average 3-5yo's. I use dance gear direct a lot online, also check out your local market because there are lots of good deals on dance basics.
dance gear direct here, they can be a bit slow at this time of year and also in September, but otherwise well worth a go.

I love our ballet classes.

Some of the kids wear shoes, some not. Some wear, tights, some socks and some nothing. Some wear leotards with the skirt attached, some wear separate skirts, some just wear the leotard and some wear their fairy dressing up dress. A parent can spend as much or as little as they like.

Sorry, that's no help for you at all. Um, make sure you check the washing instructions before you choose. Some of the shiny ones are hand wash only.

Dancedirect. noice and reasonable and nice quick delivery.

thanks alot for the tips, I will have a look at that website.