We always recommend our students go to A&A Dancewear in Barry. We have a fabulous relationship with them and they are always so supportive of PAAW and our students. However, if you’d prefer to shop online, we recommend the links below.

School Black Lycra Leotard used for all shows and exams. All sizes can be found here.

Black stirrup leggings can be found here in children and adult sizes.

Modern Exams
Primary: Black lycra leotards and stirrup leggings must also be worn with bare feet (see picture below). Hair must be extremely neat with no whispy bits. Primary students must have their hair in a bun.

Grade 1-3: Black lycra leotards and stirrup leggings must also be worn with bare feet (see picture below). Hair must be extremely neat with no whispy bits. Hair should be braided and the plaits pinned up so that students can lie with their head flat on the floor – as pictured below.
Grade 4-5: As above but students to wear black footless tights instead of stirrups.
Grade 6 and above: Students can wear a coloured leotard of their choice provided it has been approved by their teacher. Black footless tights and hair as above.

Tap Exams
Students again wear black lycra leotards and black shorts. Tap shoes MUST have both a front and heel tap. Hair with a centre parting into a low bun.
Primary, Grade 1 & 2: Black tap shoes with white socks
Grade 3 and above: Black tap shoes with black socks

Ballet Exams

Grade 1-2: Pink canvas splits sole ballet shoes with elastic, pink ballet tights. Marine coloured leotard with matching belt found here. Hair must be in an immaculate high bun with no parting.
Grade 3+: As above except Royal Blue leotard with matching belt which can be found here.

How to sew elastic on ballet shoes.

Vicky’s Tips:

1. I find it easier to sew the top line of stitching underneath the cord, however you may need a thimble to help push the needle through here.

2. Tightening the cord is really important and helps to give a much nicer shape to the shoe. If the shoe gapes when the foot is pointed, the cord isn’t tight enough. Don’t forget to tuck the cord in!

Putting hair in a bun.

Vicky’s Tips:

1. Although wrapping hair bobbles around your hair to secure your bun (without using clips or a bun net) is the quickest method, it will not stay in place once we start allegro (jumping).

2. Hair donuts can be easier – especially if you’re not confident with doing buns, but they still need a bun net to hold the hair in place and need to be clipped. They are also not allowed for exams.