Accept policies
Why a uniform/specialist dancewear is requiredOur uniform has been carefully thought out and constructed to offer the most appropriate materials, style, comfort and aesthetic for most people. They are also cut appropriately for dancers in training, so that their bodies are able to breathe, move freely, to enable movement and allow the teachers to see what’s going on and correct appropriately. We also feel that a school uniform engenders a sense of belonging and cohesion, and removes any concerns or worries children have about 'keeping up' with others who may be able to purchase new dancewear more regularly. It also ensures that the second hand system set up (see below) supports budgetary concerns that may be felt by some, as children grow fast and dancewear has a pretty long life.
When students are preparing to take exams, they will also be required to attend the exam wearing the recommended uniform for that level, genre and examining board. We have reviewed these requirements and do so regularly to try to ensure that the Colours of Dance uniform is also acceptable exam wear, so that parents and students are not required to make additional outlay in order to participate in a exam, and also so that the students themselves feel comfortable wearing dancewear they are used to on a day when they will be understandably nervous.
However, we would be upset if someone were put off dance by a uniform in which they are uncomfortable for ethnic, racial or religious reasons. For example, the standard/traditional female ballet tights and shoe colour is a 'flesh' pink, but this represents a pale or Caucasian skin tone. If you would prefer to wear a colour of socks or ballet shoes that match your own skin tone more closely, we would love this. For advice or access to other tones of shoes and tights, please contact us, as we will be able to give advice, help and supply items for you once we have our new supplier. If there are other items of the uniform which pose a problem for you or your child, then please come and speak to any of us, who will warmly welcome your questions and discussion and help you find a suitable alternative that works both for the training and for the dancer (whatever their age).
How to get your Uniform
We recommend RAD Enterprises, DancewearCentral for all non-CoD branded items. You can order with both online and have the items shipped directy to your home. If you are at all unsure, please ask us and we'll be very happy to help.
For Colours of Dance branded items (t-shirts, joggers & hoodies), just ask and we'll arrange delivery to your student's class!
Dancewear Central - www.dancewearcentral.co.uk
RAD Enterprises - www.radenterprises.co.uk
We like FREED for their bronze and brown full leathered sole ballet shoes, socks and tights. www.freedoflondon.com/aspire-ballet-shoe-now-available-in-ballet-brown-and-ballet-bronze/
If you are interested in buying second hand uniform, please let us know ahead of time. Please tell us the size your child wears so we can have it ready for you at the studios and you will take the second hand uniform home to try. Unfortunately, NO uniform can be tried on at the studios due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.
When placing an order, it would be useful to supply the following information if you are not size you need:
If you are a current student:
- Current uniform size being replaced (i.e. if your current leotard is a size 1 and you need a larger size we know you need a '2'),
- The size of their current dance shoe
If you are a new student:
- Your child's age - and the age of clothes they normally wear if different
- Your child's shoe size
- Adults: normal shoe size and clothing size
As a neat bun is advised for our ballet students, we thought it would be helpful to put together some bun kits to help make things easier. Each kit includes instructions and all the required hair accessories and can be purchased from the office for just £2.50.
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