Celebrated Swedish dancer Marie Taglioni appeared on stage for La Sylphide wearing a tightfitting bodice and a bell-shaped skirt cut so high that it revealed her ankles. The outfit, which became known as the romantic tutu, had been designed by Eugène Lami and went on to define the style of ballet.

The pancake tutu is the other type of classical tutu. Coming straight out from the hips, this type of tutu is short, with several layers of tulle and net and supported by a wire hoop embedded in the layers. Because of this support, the whole thing tends to bounce sometime after the dancer has finished a movement.

Hooped or un-hooped. RUSSIAN or PANCAKE TUTU: a very flat, thin tutu with a hoop.

A ballerina skirt is designed to look feminine and elegant, as well as being associated with the traditional costume for classical ballet performances.

It can helps lengthen the leg by keeping the same color up through the whole leg and hips. It helps you change between different outfits/colors of tights between classes or rehearsals a little quicker/easier. Some say it makes it easier to go to the bathroom faster without taking your whole outfit off.

A ballet bun is the traditional hairstyle worn by ballerinas. The main purposes being: to prevent hair from getting in the way of a ballerina, to provide a uniform (and elegant!) look for all of the ballerinas, and to maintain focus on the dancer (not the hair).

Why do ballerinas wear pink tights? Pink tights allow dance instructors to notice the muscles in the dancer’s legs. Also, it is tradition, and traditions are important in ballet. Ballet slippers should be pink for girls.

There are a few dancers at our school who have bangs. Definitely not forbidden, but they do have to be pinned and slicked back for performances, and that can sometimes be a little tough. I used to have them.

There are no policies at City Ballet or Ballet Theater regarding hair length, and most dancers still keep their hair long, especially those in the corps de ballet who are provided with less backstage assistance than soloists and principals. But there is also the psychological security that long hair affords.

If your hair is long enough, the weight of the hair may keep it from flying high into a partners face. Bring an extra hair tie to the dance floor in case your free flyaways become frightening.

Pointe shoes provide the necessary support for toe dancing by allowing the dancer to transfer her some of her weight to the shoe in two critical places, under the arch and around the toes. The toe box tightly encases the toes, so that the dancer stands on an oval-shaped platform at the tip.

Top Products for a Perfect Ballet Bun

• My top hair products for an easy bun in the morning. A ballerina’s hairstyle differs hugely depending on what the day ahead holds.
• Tangle Teaser.
• Bristle Brush.
• Comb.
• Pins & Grips.
• Hairbands.
• Hairspray.
• Water Spray.