There is an art to getting dressed for ballet.
Before the first plié, before the music begins, there is the ritual of layers. The leotard, the tights, something sheer and something warm. A wrap, leg warmers, perhaps sauna pants and booties for the journey into the studio.
For some, it is a carefully considered uniform. For others, an instinctive collection of favourite pieces accumulated over years in the studio.
In the studio, dressing is a kind of choreography. Layers are added, rearranged and eventually shed as the body moves.
The Foundation
Everything begins with the leotard and tights.
The most classic combination in ballet, and the starting point for almost every studio wardrobe, tights complete the line, extending the leg and creating the clean silhouette ballet is known for.
But even here, there is a choice.
Tights under the leotard have an unmistakably traditional quality. They are the classic studio uniform, clean and familiar.
Tights over the leotard create a slightly more contemporary, professional silhouette and are often seen in rehearsals and professional studios. Whichever way you wear them, a BODILE leotard paired with ballet tights creates the foundation for everything that comes next.
For a modern take on the classic tight, the BODILE Body Gloss Layering Tight introduces a subtle sheen, designed to be worn over the leotard to elongate and smooth the line of the leg.
Some dancers choose to skip the tights altogether, wearing the leotard on its own and letting the natural line of the leg become part of the look.
The Sheer Layer
From here, dancers often begin to build the look with something lighter.
A sheer layer is one of the easiest ways to transform a ballet base without losing the silhouette underneath. The BODILE Sheer Layering Top in Black or Mexican Rose creates a delicate veil over the leotard, revealing glimpses of the body and colour beneath. Lightweight, transparent and figure hugging, its close fit follows the line of the arms to create an elongated silhouette.
SHEER LAYERING TOP - MEXICAN ROSE
For something with a little more luminosity, the Body Gloss Layering Top catches the light as you move, adding a subtle sheen to the look while keeping the clean lines of the leotard visible. Our brand new Mesh Layering Top brings a softer, more contemporary take on the sheer layer. Featuring a graceful boat neckline and a waist-length cut, it is designed to sit beautifully over a leotard while allowing the silhouette and details beneath to shine through.
BODY GLOSS LAYERING TOP - TAFFY SHEEN
Arriving in Sauna
For many dancers, the studio look begins with far more layers than it ends.
Before the body is warm, sauna layers are worn on the journey to class, through the first stages of warm up and gradually removed as movement takes over.
The BODILE Sauna Vest, Sauna Jacket, Sauna Shorts and Sauna Pants bring a streetwear edge to the ballet wardrobe while keeping the body warm. Layered over a leotard and tights, the more relaxed proportions create an effortless contrast with the fitted silhouette underneath.
For the full sauna look, the Sauna Jacket and Sauna Pants create a sleek, tonal silhouette. For something lighter, the Sauna Vest or Sauna Shorts can be layered over the essentials without completely covering the look beneath.
And for the journey from studio to barre, the BILLIE Sauna Booties complete the look, keeping the feet warm while adding an oversized, off duty finish.
The Knitwear Layer
Some ballet pieces simply never lose their place. Knitwear is one of them.
From leg warmers to soft, fitted layers, knitwear has long been part of the ballet wardrobe, bringing warmth, texture and a relaxed contrast to the clean lines of a leotard.
Pulled high over the calf at the beginning of class or gathered casually around the ankle as the body warms, leg warmers are one of the easiest ways to add layers to your look.
BODILE's Leg Warmer collection moves between different lengths and silhouettes, allowing you to decide how much of the leg to reveal. Wear them long and elongated, or let them fall softly around the ankle.
For something with a little more coverage, the BODILE Luxe Boy Leg Short adds a soft knit layer around the hips, while the Luxe Fitted Pant creates a longer, streamlined silhouette. Our new Luxe Knit Flares offer a more relaxed take on the traditional knit pant, with a long, flared shape that brings softness and movement to the look.
Paired with a simple leotard and tights, knitwear creates the quintessential ballet studio look. Layered together, the different lengths, textures and silhouettes bring another dimension to the ballet wardrobe.
As the Layers Come Off
This is often when the studio look becomes softer and more relaxed.
As class gets underway and the body warms, the heavier layers usually start to disappear. The sauna pieces are left at the barre, pants come off and leg warmers are pushed down or removed completely.
A skirt or wrap over the leotard is a classic choice. The BODILE Ballerina Wrap adds a delicate crochet layer around the waist, while the Mika Mesh Skirt brings dimension and movement without too much weight or coverage.
The Violetta Mesh Layering Skirt offers another take on the sheer ballet skirt. Its asymmetric hem and flowing panels create movement, while godet inserts add volume to the soft, flared silhouette.
VIOLETTA MESH SKIRT - CHOCOLATE
For dancers who prefer something more fitted, close-cut shorts or bike shorts can be worn over the leotard for a clean, streamlined silhouette. The Mesh Layering Short introduces a sheer, sculptural layer, with adjustable ruched sides that let you customise the length and shape. Wear it longer for a more relaxed line, or draw up the ties for a shorter, gathered silhouette.
The Mesh Layering Capri offers a similar versatility, with adjustable ruched sides that allow you to change both the length and shape. Wear it long and sleek for an elongated line through the leg, or pull up the ties to create a shorter, gathered silhouette.
And for a little more movement, the Mesh Layering Flares bring a different silhouette to the studio. Sheer stretch mesh skims the leg before falling into a fluid flare, adding drama and movement to the usual leotard combination.
The combinations are endless, but the formula remains simple: start with the ballet essentials, then add and remove pieces as the look evolves.
BODY GLOSS TIGHTS - TWILIGHT SHEEN
The Art of Making it Your Own
The beauty is in the details, and in the freedom to make them your own.
There is no single way to dress for ballet. Some dancers favour the traditional uniform, while others play with contrasting textures, sheer layers and unexpected silhouettes. Each brings something different to the studio.
MESH LAYERING FLARE - CHOCOLATE