Much more than just the glitz and glamour, the art of dancing ballet requires a lot of hard work and a passionate heart. Basically, every dancer devotes pretty much of their lifetime for a short span of career. But that's just the beauty of it. The uncertainty feeling keeps the passion burning.

And just like any other sport, there are essential things that ballet dancers need to have. Here are the 7 Essential Things that Ballerinas and Ballerinos always need to have in their ballet bag!




Proper attire for ballet class is very important as your teacher or directress needs to see if you're properly executing a movement, step or position.

LEOTARD. My ballet school is under the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet and we distinguish each classes (levels) through the color of our leotards. Once you finish all levels, you can wear any type and style of leotard to class.

TIGHTS. An essential in your ballet uniform to see the legs and muscles clearly, there are different kinds of tights and as well as different colors. However though, female ballet dancers usually wear pink while the male dancers wear black.

These are the different types of tights:




1. Convertible - Has a small hole under the foot (This is what I wear especially because I do pointes)
2. Footed - The basic. Like stockings but is thicker as it covers everything.
3. Footless - Cut off at the ankle
4. Seamed - Has a back seam.
5. Stirrup Tights - Has a hole cut out under the heel.
6. Body Tights - Full body tights. Covers everything from the neck down. Can be long-sleeved or have cami straps. 

{Source - dance.net}

SKIRT / SHORTS. My ballet uniform comes with a skirt which I barely use except for center exercises that kind of requires skirt. However, you have a choice of wearing a skirt or a shorts.



If you're just starting out in ballet, you will not be dancing on pointes yet since you need proper training and you need to develop your leg muscles before you'll be capable on dancing on your toes!

Warm-ups are usually done in ballet flats until you're warmed up enough that you can wear your pointes and then warm up again on your pointes before dancing.




Your hair will always be up in a ballet bun. And in order to do that, you'll need a hair tie, hair net, and lots and lots of bobby pins!

Always stock up on bobby pins as they will mysteriously go missing as time goes by.

For male dancers, you just need your hair to be neatly groomed and make sure that it is out of your face as you dance.




Ballet makes you sweat (and cry) and you need to make yourself hydrated at all times. A water bottle should always be in your dance bag. You may learn how to choose a good one here. Make that two or invest in a huge one!




As to what I've said in item #6, you'll sweat a lot in classes and rehearsals so a towel is a necessity so your sweat will not dry up as you rest in an air-conditioned ballet studio or theater.




Expect your feet to be covered in bruises and bunions as you advance in classes and do pointe works. Invest in band-aids and toe gels.




Of course you need a place to store and carry your essentials and stuff. A medium to a large dance bag is much better so you can fit everything when you go to the studio.


{Image Credits: Cover, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}