Uniform
A guide to uniform for Graded and Vocational Graded examinations.
The recommended uniform should be worn for all examinations. Where this is not possible, suitable alternatives of the same or similar colour and style may be worn. Candidates are not assessed based on the uniform worn.
In addition to the recommended uniform, two renowned dancewear brands have a range of examination leotards under license from the Royal Academy of Dance Enterprises Ltd that fulfil an increasing desire from teachers and dancers for a more contemporary approach to dancewear design. The registered and protected designs are manufactured and distributed by Bloch and International Dance Supplies (IDS) under license from the Royal Academy of Dance Enterprises Ltd. You can peruse collections from both below.
Recommended Uniform
Pre-Primary in Dance & Primary
| Level | Leotard Colours (recommended) | Skirt | Socks/Tights | Shoes | Character Skirt | Character Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Primary in Dance, Primary in Dance | Short sleeved or skirted leotard pink, lilac, marine blue | Georgette wrap over skirt – colour to match leotard | Short socks | Soft ballet shoes with matching elastic (satin, leather or canvas) Pink or to match skin tone | n/a | n/a |
Grades 1-5
| Level | Leotard Colours (recommended) | Skirt | Socks/Tights | Shoes | Character Skirt | Character Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 1-3 | Sleeveless or short sleeved leotard pink, lilac, marine blue, mulberry, lavender, navy | n/a | Short socks or tights | Soft ballet shoes with matching elastic (satin, leather or canvas) Pink or to match skin tone | Black with braiding/ribbon that complements the colour of the leotard circular in style is preferable | Black canvas, Grades 1-2 Lower heel height, Grade 3 onwards Cuban (higher) heel |
| Grades 4-5 | Elasticated belt colour to match leotard pink, teal, red, mulberry, fuchsia, navy, lavender, burgundy, dark green | n/a | Tights | Shoes should be fitted with elastic that matches/tones with tights/socks | Should tone with tights | n/a |
Grades 6-8 & Discovering Repertoire
| Level | Leotard Colours (recommended) | Skirt | Tights | Shoes | Character Skirt | Character Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 6-8, All Levels of Discovering Repertoire | Any classical style of leotard black, navy, royal blue, lavender, red, burgundy, mulberry | The skirt is worn after the barre and should be a soft material e.g., georgette or chiffon- approx. mid-calf length. | Pink or to match skin tone | Soft ballet shoes with matching elastic (satin, leather or canvas) | Colour should match/tone leotard | Black with braiding/ribbon that complements the colour of the leotard – circular style is preferable |
Vocational Graded (Traditional female syllabus)
| Level | Leotard Colours (recommended) | Skirt | Tights | Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2 | Capped sleeved or sleeveless leotard black, navy, royal blue, purple | Optional – short skirt without pattern to match/tone with leotard (hem approximately 30cm from floor when kneeling) Optional classical tutu skirt may be worn for Variation 1 which should tone/match with leotard Optional skirt may be worn for Variation 2 | Pink or to match skin tone | Soft ballet shoes with matching elastic or ribbons (satin, leather or canvas) or demi-pointe/soft pointe shoes with ribbons. Pointe shoes with ribbons must be worn for pointe work sections and female syllabus variations in AF – A2 elastic may be worn in addition to ribbons if required and should tone with the pointe shoes/tights. |
| Solo Seal | Any colour | Genée port de bras: Soft chiffon circular or wrap around mid-calf length skirt 21st century variation: Soft short chiffon wrap around skirt Classical variation and Finale: Classical tutu skirt | Should tone with leotard | Pointe shoes with ribbons are required for all settings elastic may be worn in addition to ribbons if required and should tone with the pointe shoes/tights. |
Option 2 (traditionally male syllabus) – graded, vocational graded and Discovering Repertoire
| Level | T-shirt/Leotard Colours (recommended) | Shorts | Socks (short length – worn over tights) | Tights | Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Primary in Dance, Primary in Dance | Well fitted t-shirt blue, white | n/a | n/a | white | Soft ballet shoes (leather or canvas) white with matching elastic |
| Grades 1-5 | Short sleeved leotard or well fitted t-shirt white | n/a | n/a | Navy or black tights may be worn instead of shorts | Lace-up character shoes (no other additional uniform requirements) |
| Grades 6-8 | Leotard or well fitted short sleeved t-shirt worn tucked into tights T-shirt: white Leotard: white, navy, black | n/a | white (with grey or navy tights) or black (with black tights) | grey, navy, black | Soft ballet shoes (leather or canvas) black or white with matching elastic |
| Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2 | Leotard, unitard or well-fitted short sleeved t-shirt worn tucked into tights any colour | n/a | Largo, Classical variation and Finale: black or white (to match shoes) 21st century variation: no socks | Largo, Classical variation and Finale: any colour full length or footed tights 21st century variation: any colour ¾ or full length tights | Soft ballet shoes (leather or canvas) with matching elastic Largo, Classical variation and Finale: |