Whether actually enrolled in a dance class, or dancing around home pretending to be Cinderella, most little girls love to dance! If your little princess is taking dance classes, you probably have discovered that it can be a challenge finding decent places to shop for dancewear. It’s also challenging trying to figure out what size to buy. The following tips will help you know where to shop and how to choose dance attire for your little girl.

Dancewear basics

For most dance classes, little girls are encouraged to wear leggings, stretchy pants or leg warmers and a simple shirt to practice in. These items can be purchased at retail stores, such as WalMart, Kmart, Targets or Sears. When you buy the basic, keep the following in mind:

• Solid colors. Although there will be times when you’ll want fun outfits, stick with solid colors for leggings, stretchy pants and leg warmers. By doing so, your daughter will have more options regarding what tops she wears with them.
• Purchase one size up. Because material stretches, your daughter can wear one size bigger and not have her outfit fall off of her. By purchasing dance attire that’s a little bigger, it will last your daughter longer. As you know, little kids quickly grow and you don’t want to be purchasing new clothes every month or two.
• Buy used dance shoes. At a recent dance recital that my niece was in, some of the little girls were squishing their feet into their dance shoes. Ouch! When possible, buy used dance shoes that can at least be worn during the classes. When it gets closer to recital time, perhaps purchase new shoes, but allow plenty of time for your daughter to break in the shoes. It helps to make friends with some of the other moms so that you can purchase or trade shoes with each other.
• Check out swaps or sales. Some dance companies host a swap day where parents can swap dance clothes with other parents, or purchase slightly used dance attire at a low price. Also, as you go to garage sales, be on the lookout for dance attire. You might just find a great pair of dancing shoes that were only worn once or twice!

Dancewear for class or play

If your daughter is enrolled in a dance class that does ballet, tap, or freestyle, there are some great online stores that offer fun tutus, pettiskirts, etc. at a low cost. Here are a few great options:

• TheHairBowCompany.com. This small company operates out of Texas and takes great pride in connecting with their customers. You’ll find a variety of colorful tutus and pettiskirts for under $20.00. Your little princess will love spinning around in a bright purple tutu or wearing a crazy animal pettiskirt. Need legwarmers? Check out the striped or polka dot ones; they’ll surely bring a smile to your child’s face! If you’re ordering items just for fun, check out accessories such as butterfly wings.
• Target.com. Targets offers a limited supply of leotards, legwarmers and bodysuits. It’s certainly worth checking out from time to tie.
• Zulily.com. Zulily.com offers adorable outfits consisting of leggings, top, and sometimes a ruffle. Outfits are under $20 and are well made. Items posted on Zulily.com are very limited in quantity, so if you see something you like, you need to purchase it right away. Your little girl will fall in love with the outfits!
• PoshLittleTutus.com. A lot of the tutus, dresses and such are absolutely adorable! You’ll need to be careful about the prices, but you can find items for under $30. Your daughter will have fun wearing something from this site.

At these affordable prices, even if your little princess just wants a few outfits to wear at home for play, then these are great options.

Dancewear for recitals

When it comes to recitals, you definitely want to purchase clothing that will stand up to the challenge. The following online stores are popular choices.

• AllAboutDance.com. Bottoms, tops, dresses, leotards, shoes, tutus, unitards…you name it and this company most likely has it! AllAboutDance.com is one of the leading discount dancewear suppliers in the country. You’ll find the best name brand dance attire at very affordable prices.
• DanceWearSolutions.com. If you’re looking for fun and bright dance outfits, DanceWearSolutions.com offers a nice selection of cute leotards, tops, shorts, dance shoes, etc. Prices are a little higher than some other sites, but the clothing is of good quality and made from comfortable fabrics.
• DiscountDance.com. For one of the best selections to meet your little dancing girl’s needs, DiscountDance.com offers a huge variety of dance clothing and shoes! Shipping is kept at a minimal and items will arrive quickly. So if there’s a dance recital next Friday, no worries, your daughter’s outfit will arrive on time!
• SophiasStyle.com. If you’re looking for a unique outfit, this online store is worth checking out. Although choices are somewhat limited and items may be more expensive than you’ll find at the other three sites mentioned, it’s still worthwhile checking out this site.

Dancewear accessories

Part of the fun of wearing a dance outfit is adding the accessories! When shopping for headbands, hair bows and such, you want to find items that are designed to be worn during lots of movement. Your little girl will enjoy accessories from:

• DanceWearSolutions.com. Love, love, love this website! Whatever your little dancing diva needs to accessorize her outfit, you’ll have a great selection at this online store! From mesh bow headbands to sequin gloves, from rhinestone chokers to sparkling tiaras, these accessories are filled with glitz and glam. Prices are decent as well.
• Claires.com. Yes, they have stores in lots of shopping malls. Their online store claims to fame started with their adorable hair bows! Whether you’re looking for a flower clip, feathers, a headband or a cute bow, at a very affordable cost, you’ll love the options that this store provides.

Your little girl will stay a little girl just so long. As she embraces the world of dance, with wise shopping, you can provide her with dance outfits that she’ll absolutely adore.

Author: Barb Bergerson