← Parent Info · Shoes & Attire

Dress code, by program.

What to wear, what to bring, and what we’ll loan you if you don’t have it yet. Caffery’s sells the basics at the front desk at studio cost — no markup on shoes, leotards, or tights.

Three rules that apply everywhere
01

Hair up & out of the face

Bun for ballet, ponytail for everything else.

02

Snug-fitting clothes

Teachers need to see alignment. No baggy.

03

No jewelry

Small studs OK. Everything else stays in the cubby.

04

Labeled water bottle

Lobby looks like a Nalgene yard sale. Help us help you.

Program 01PreschoolAges 3–5 · creative movement, pre-ballet, tiny tumblers.

Wear

  • Pink or black leotard (no skirts required)
  • Pink ballet tights or footless leggings
  • Pink leather ballet slippers
  • Hair pulled back
  • For tumbling: bare feet, snug shorts + tee or biketard

Bring

  • Labeled water bottle
  • A snack for the lobby afterward
  • Small tote — we have cubbies but help your dancer keep track
  • Loaner ballet slippers available if you don’t have them yet
Program 02YouthAges 6–9 · ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, acro, tumbling.

Wear

  • Ballet: black leotard, pink tights, bun
  • Jazz / lyrical: leotard or fitted top + leggings, hair up
  • Hip-hop: athletic wear + clean indoor sneakers
  • Tap: leggings + fitted top + tap shoes
  • Acro / tumbling: snug leotard or shorts + tee, bare feet

Bring

  • Labeled water bottle
  • Style-specific shoes (we’ll guide first-timers)
  • Small tote for cubby
  • Loaner taps and ballet slippers available
Program 03Pre-Teen & TeenAges 10+ · intermediate & advanced across all styles.

Wear

  • Ballet: black leotard, pink or skin-tone tights, secured bun, pointe shoes only if instructor-approved
  • Contemporary / lyrical: leotard + tights, or fitted athletic wear; bare feet or half-soles
  • Jazz / hip-hop: athletic wear + appropriate shoes (jazz shoes / clean sneakers)
  • Acro / tumbling: snug athletic wear, bare feet, hair tight
  • Warm-ups OK before class — off at the barre

Bring

  • Labeled water bottle
  • All required shoes for each style you’re taking
  • Athletic tape, foot pads as needed
  • Phone in cubby for the duration of class
Program 04Competitive TeamAudition · ages 7–17 · rehearsals + competitions.

Wear (rehearsal)

  • Caffery’s Company practice wear (provided each season)
  • Required shoes for each piece
  • Hair in a tight, secured bun for cleaning rehearsals
  • No nail polish, no jewelry, no perfume

Wear (competitions)

  • Costumes are issued separately for each piece (fees billed in winter)
  • Stage makeup — full guide provided before first competition
  • Bun pins, hair gel, hairnets — we sell a competition kit at cost
  • Caffery’s warm-ups for arrival & lobby
Program 05Tumbling & TricksAll ages · gymnastics-specific dress code.

Wear

  • Snug-fitting leotard, biketard, or shorts + fitted tee
  • Bare feet — socks slip on the mat
  • Hair pulled back tightly, no jewelry
  • Wrist guards optional for advanced

Bring

  • Labeled water bottle
  • Hand chalk if you have a preference (we provide it)
  • Athletic tape if you have a known soft spot
  • Tell coaches about any injury before warm-up
Program 06Adult Classes18+ · ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, stretch.

Wear

  • Anything that lets you move — no leotard required, ever
  • Ballet shoes for ballet (loaners available)
  • Jazz, tap, or clean indoor sneakers as appropriate
  • Hair tied back

Bring

  • Labeled water bottle
  • Light layer for the warm-up
  • (Stretch) a small towel
  • An open mind and a sense of humor about wobbling
Program 07Pilates14+ · mat pilates · capped at 12.

Wear

  • Fitted athletic wear (so the instructor can see alignment)
  • Bare feet or grippy socks
  • Hair tied back

Bring

  • Mat (we provide if you don’t have one)
  • Water bottle
  • Small towel
  • Tell the instructor about any injury before class
01

Loaner program

New to a style? Borrow ballet slippers, taps, or jazz shoes from the loaner shelf for your first 2–3 classes — no charge. Buy your own once you know your dancer is sticking with it.

02

Sold at studio cost

We carry the basics — ballet slippers, tights, leotards, taps, jazz shoes — at the front desk at our wholesale cost. No markup. Useful when one shoe wears out mid-season.

03

Pointe shoe fitting

Pointe shoes are instructor-approved only and require a proper fitting. We host two fittings a year on-site — spring and fall — and can recommend external fitters in between.

Not sure what to buy yet?

Use the loaners. Decide later.

The first few weeks of any new style, we’d rather you borrow shoes from us than spend money on equipment your dancer might not love. Stop by the front desk on day one — we’ll set you up.