Dance schools require form-fitting pieces like leotards and tights so that the dance teacher can see the child's body and form as she performs dance moves. An instructor can easily correct a child's form when she is outfitted in standard dance wear, because the teacher can spot the lines of the legs and make corrections to the child as needed.
The standard leotard used for most dance schools is a tank-style leotard with a scoop neck and back. Some schools use a leotard with a subtle cap sleeve; check with your school before buying a leotard. Have the child try the leotard on, raising his arms to ensure that there are no gaps in the fabric and that the leotard does not fall off the shoulders. The leotard should be tight, but the stretchy fabric allows for ample movement.
Girls usually are required to wear tights. Most dance schools allow boys to wear jazz pants over their leotards. Tights should should leave a smooth line when worn under a leotard. There should also be no excess fabric at the foot, so that the dance shoes fit over the tights without bunching. Jazz pants should reach to the waist and be fitted through the knee. Jazz pants are available with various leg openings, from a slight flare to a tapered leg; choose what's comfortable to the child and acceptable to the dance school. For beginners, a very light flare works best; the less fabric there is to distract a child, the better. The hemline of jazz pants should reach just below the ankles.
The type of dance shoe the child wears depends on the dance class. Ballet classes require ballet shoes, usually in nude or light pink. Jazz shoes sometimes allow students to practice in ballet shoes and progress into jazz shoes as a child gets older. Tap shoes should be the lace-up variety, which are easiest for a child to get off and on and also feel the most secure on a child's feet. Jazz and tap shoes are typically black.
Girls typically are required to wear a black leotard and light pink tights. Some dance schools allow a sheer light pink skirt along with tights in the early years, but dance instructors usually ban the skirts as girls reach the ages of 6 or 7. Girls usually must have their hair back for a dance class. Some dance schools go as far requiring a certain hairstyle, such as a bun or French braid.
Youth male dancers usually wear a leotard and jazz pants, along with the appropriate dance shoe for their class. As dancers get older (around ages 7 or 8), they might wear a fitted T-shirt tucked in to jazz pants.