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
Graded Examinations:
Level | Female | Male |
Pre-Primary in Dance | Short sleeved leotard pink, lilac or marine blue
Wrap over skirt – colour to match leotard Skin tone socks Skin tone soft toe ballet shoes (satin or leather) |
Blue or white t-shirt
Navy or black polycotton / lycra shorts White socks Canvas/leather shoes white or black |
Grades 1-3 | Sleeveless or short sleeved scooped neck leotard in pink, lilac, marine blue, mulberry, lavender or navy (any matt effect fabric), with matching elasticated belt
Skin tone soft ballet shoes in satin, canvas or leather, with pink elastic or ribbons (Split sole shoes are permitted) Option of short skin tone socks or skin tone nylon tights |
White short sleeved leotard or well-fitted t-shirt with Navy Lycra or cotton shorts
Navy stirrup tights may be worn instead of shorts White ballet shoes in canvas or leather, with white elastic Short white socks |
Grades 4-5 | Sleeveless or short sleeved scooped neck leotard (any matt effect fabric) in pale pink, pale blue, red, mulberry / fuschia, navy, lavender, burgundy or dark green, with matching elasticated belt
Skin tone soft ballet shoes in satin, canvas or leather, with either matching elastic or ribbons. Split sole shoes are permittedOption of skin tone socks or skin tone nylon tights Candidates may perform the Free Movement exercises and study in either ballet shoes or bare feet |
White short sleeved leotard or well-fitted t-shirt with Navy Lycra or cotton shorts
Navy stirrup tights may be worn instead of shorts White ballet shoes in canvas or leather, with white elastic Short white socks |
Grades 6-8 | Any classic style of leotard in cotton lycra in any colour, but in particular the following are recommended: black, navy blue, royal blue, lavender, red, burgundy or mulberry
The skirt (worn after the barre work) should be in a soft, flimsy, lightweight material, such as georgette or chiffon and approximately mid-calf length, and in any colour. Circular skirts are the most flattering, but gathered at the waist is acceptable A short skirt may also be worn for the barre work of Grade 8 exams, if candidates prefer A light silk scarf of no more than 1m x 2m of any colour. The colour of the leotard, skirt and scarf should match or tone with each other Skin tonesoft satin, canvas or leather shoes with either elastic or ribbons (Soft pointe shoes should not be worn, but split soles can be) Candidates may perform the Free Movement exercises and study in either ballet shoes or bare feet |
Short sleeved or sleeveless white PCL leotard (or well-fitting white t-shirt if leotard felt to be unsuitable). Navy PCL or lycra stirrup tights
White ballet shoes in canvas or leather with white elastic Short white socks Candidates may perform the Free Movement exercises and study in either ballet shoes or bare feet The ‘cloak’ for Free Movement is represented by a piece of light cotton material, similar in size and shape to the silk used by female candidates. It may be white or dyed any colour |
Character | Character skirts should be in black cotton material, with braiding which complements the colour of the leotard, and either circular in style or gathered at the waist, although the former is preferable. The hem of the skirt should be approximately 3 inches (7.6cm) below the knee
Character shoes must be worn and should ideally be black canvas. These are available in two heel sizes – low heel in sizes 3 – 7 (including half sizes) and Cuban in sizes 2 – 8 (including half sizes). The Cuban heel should ideally be worn from Grade 3 onwards Standard black leather Character shoes are acceptable as an alternative. Other colours may be worn Shoes should be fitted with skin tone elastic. |
The male uniform remains the same throughout all Examinations / Class Awards / Solo Performance Awards except for the shoes
Laced up Character shoes should be worn |
Vocational Grade Examinations:
Level | Female | Male |
Intermediate Foundation |
Sleeveless leotard – black, royal blue, navy blue or purple
Waistband (optional) – 2cm elastic, the same colour as leotard Skin tone tights Head ribbons (optional) – velvet, in the same colour as the leotard Skin tone soft pointe shoes or soft ballet shoes with matching ribbons Skin tone pointe shoes (pointe work section) with matching ribbons Split sole shoes are permitted |
White leotard or a short sleeved white t-shirt worn inside tights
Tights – black or navy blue White socks worn over the tights Black or white shoes with white elastic Split sole shoes are permitted |
Intermediate Advanced Foundation Advance 1 Advanced 2 |
Sleeveless leotard – black, royal blue, navy blue or purple
Waistband (optional) – 2cm elastic, the same colour as leotard Skin tone tights Head ribbons (optional) – velvet, in the same colour as the leotard Skin tone soft pointe shoes with matching ribbons Skin tone pointe shoes (pointe work section) with matching ribbons Soft ballet shoes may not be worn Split sole soft pointe / pointe shoes are permitted |
White leotard or a short sleeved white t-shirt worn inside tights
Tights – black or navy blue White socks worn over the tights Black or white shoes with white elastic Split sole shoes are permitted |
Solo Seal | Port de Bras Any colour sleeveless leotard with:Soft chiffon circular (mid-calf length) skirt in matching or toning colour to the leotard. Soft chiffon wrap around (mid-calf length) skirt in similar matching or toning colour to the leotard21st Century Variation Any colour sleeveless leotard with:Soft short chiffon wrap around skirt in matching or toning colour to the leotardClassical Repertoire Variation Any colour sleeveless leotard with:tutu skirt in matching or toning colour to the leotard. Skin tone tights should be worn for all variations Pointe shoes should be worn for all variations Split sole shoes are permitted |
Largo and Classical Repertoire Variation
Any colour leotard or short sleeved t–shirt worn inside tights Any colour tights and socks Any colour unitard Black or white ballet shoes 21st Century Variation Any colour leotard or short sleeved t-shirt Any colour ¾ or full length tights Any colour unitard Black, white or flesh colour ballet shoes |