DRESS CODE

At Bend Academy we do not have an overly formal dress code but we do ask that it is followed by all students. Proper attire allows for instructors to be able to see students body positions, form, and alignment. Proper attire is also a safety measure, especially in aerial classes. Please read below for class-specific dress code details.

Creative Movement & Kinder Ballet/Tap

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with pink tights
  • Long hair to be worn tied back
  • Ballet slippers (pink for girls, black or white for boys) 
  • *For Kinder Ballet/Tap only: Tap shoes (any colour). We recommend swapping out laces for elastics so students can slip on their shoes without having to tie them.

Acro

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with tights, leggings, or shorts OR tight fitted shirt with leggings or shorts 
  • Long hair to be worn tied back. Please note for acro there is a lot of going upside down, rolls & headstands incorporated in class. Please keep that in mind when dressing for the class and avoid high ponytails or buns that hinder rolls and headstands. 
  • No footwear needed

Aerial

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with tights, leggings, or shorts OR tight fitted shirt with leggings 
  • Long hair to be worn tied back. Please note for aerial there is a lot of going upside down. Please keep that in mind when dressing for the class and avoid clothing that will move around while upside down or in the air.
  • No footwear needed
  • Please do not wear anything with zippers, clasps, or notions that could potentially snag on the aerial silks and damage them. No fake nails, jewelry of any kind (except small stud earrings) or anything sharp that could damage the fabric.

Ballet

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with pink or tan tights 
  • Long hair to be worn in a classical bun
  • Ballet slippers (pink for girls, black or white for boys) 

Hip Hop

  • Comfortable, dance-friendly clothing (ex. T-shirt & shorts or sweats)
  • Hair can be worn down or tied back
  • Clean, non-marking, indoor runners

Jazz

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with tights, leggings, or shorts OR fitted shirt with leggings or shorts
  • Long hair to be worn tied back
  • Beige jazz shoes

Tap 

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with tights, leggings, or shorts OR fitted shirt with leggings or shorts
  • Long hair to be worn tied back
  • Black tap shoes

Lyrical/Contemporary

  • Bodysuit (any colour) with tights, leggings, or shorts OR fitted shirt with leggings or shorts 
  • Long hair to be worn tied back
  • Beige jazz shoes, half soles, or foot undies

Wondering where to purchase dance attire in Winnipeg? Here are some options:

1. Our secondhand dancewear corner at Bend Academy! We accept donations of dancewear at the studio and the sales from these items goes into a scholarship fund to help cover dance expenses for students in need. Check at the studio and we may have what you need! Please also consider donating items you child has outgrown or no longer needs.

2. Harlequin at 375 Hargrave St. and Dance Plus at 844 McLeod Ave. are both local, fully stocked, specialty dance stores that carry everything a dancer needs from tights, shoes of all kinds, leotards, to accessories and beyond.

3. GymKyds Gymnastics Centre at 421 Beaverhill Blvd. has a dance/gymnastics retail area in their lobby. They carry bodysuits as well as new ballet slippers and used tap shoes.

4. Online! For new items, Amazon is an option. For second-hand items, Facebook has many dance buy and sell groups and people selling on Marketplace. Quite often kids will outgrow their dancewear before wearing the items out completely. Buying second-hand extends the life of these items and can be a great cost-savings to parents.