How To: Wear Ballet Gear Without Looking like a Character from “Center Stage”

January 23rd, 2006

If your parents never put you through ballet school and now you’re trying to make up for your lack of pirouettes by ballet pieces like ballet flats, leotards, and leggings, just make sure you wear them right or else you’ll look like a dancer with two left feet.

Ballet flats: If you’re not exceptionally short, ballet flats can be a treat not only to your eyes but also to your tiring feet. Paired with opaque tights or your bare skin, they can make any outfit look instantly stylish. Opt to match your pair with jeans – perhaps a bit tattered. The contradiction of a rugged piece (the jeans) with a delicate one (the flats) will be nice. Ballet flats can also be paired with a skirt, short or mid-length, but make sure the colors match. In other words, don’t wear a loud red skirt with pink flats.

Leotards: Usually dancers throw any old pants over their leotard when leaving ballet practice, but you should pair a black short-sleeved leotard with light-colored ripped jeans and black flats. Several strands of funky pearls around your neck might not be a bad idea either. Stay away from wearing bright-colored leotards; you don’t want to resemble a ballerina on crack.

Leggings: Leggings can be tricky because they automatically scream 80’s. If you think you can carry off that look, be our guest, but as a favor to “Flashdance” and “Dirty Dancing,” don’t buy them in purple, pink, orange, or any other wacky color. The act of sporting tights is a tad funky already, so opt for a mute color like black, gray, or navy blue. Also, realize that leggings are a pretty casual statement, so don’t try wearing them with a fancy skirt at the opera. Rather, throw them on during your latte fix with skin-tight jeans, round-toe flats, and a simple white t-shirt.

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