The right dance accessories can make a real difference to how you feel, how you perform, and how polished you look on stage. Whether you are preparing for a first ballet exam or gearing up for an eisteddfod, this dance accessories buying guide covers what to look for across shoes, ribbons, jewellery and hair accessories so you can shop with confidence.
Ballet Shoe Ribbons: Width, Material and Length
Ribbons are one of those small purchases that dancers and dance parents often underestimate. The wrong ribbon can slip, fray quickly, or sit bulky around the ankle. Here is what to look for.
Width
Most ballet ribbons are 22mm wide. This suits the majority of dancers from primary school through to adult. Narrower ribbons can cut into the ankle, especially during long rehearsals. Avoid anything wider than 25mm unless your teacher specifies it. Wider ribbons often bunch when tied and do not lie flat against the skin.
Material
Satin is the standard. It holds a neat bow and photographs well under stage lighting. Some dancers prefer grosgrain for class because it grips slightly better. For performances, satin is almost always required. Check your dance school's uniform policy before buying.
Length
Allow approximately 70cm per ribbon for a child and up to 100cm for an adult. It is better to buy slightly longer and trim to fit than to run short. Seal cut ends with a lighter flame to prevent fraying. Do this carefully away from children.
Browse our full range of ribbons and shoe accessories to find the right width and colour for your uniform requirements.
Dance Jewellery: What Works on Stage
Not all jewellery suits stage performance. Pieces that look striking under rehearsal room lighting can disappear completely under stage spots, or worse, catch on a costume and snap mid-performance.
Choosing the Right Pieces
- Stick to simple studs or small hoops for earrings during class. For performances, your teacher will usually specify the style.
- Rhinestone or crystal pieces catch stage lighting well. Plain metal can look flat under strong overhead lights.
- Avoid dangling earrings in styles that involve lifts or turns. They can snag on hair, fingers or costumes.
- Clip-on styles are practical for younger dancers who do not have pierced ears.
- Check that any adhesive jewellery is skin-safe, especially for dancers with sensitive skin.
If your dancer is heading into eisteddfod season, it is worth reading our guide on age-appropriate stage makeup for young performers. Jewellery and makeup work together to create a complete stage look, and the guide covers what is suitable for different age groups and competition levels.
Hair Accessories: Keeping Everything in Place
A bun that falls apart during a performance is one of the most common and most avoidable problems in dance. The right hair accessories make the difference between a style that holds and one that needs constant fixing backstage.
Bobby Pins and Hair Pins
Match the pin colour to the dancer's hair. This sounds obvious but is often overlooked. Black pins on blonde hair are visible from the front row. Buy in bulk because pins disappear constantly. Store them in a small tin in the dance bag.
Hair Nets
Use a net that matches hair colour as closely as possible. Secure the net with pins around the full circumference of the bun, not just the top. This is what keeps the bun intact through pirouettes and jumps.
Elastics and Scrunchies
Snag-free elastics are essential. Fabric-covered elastics can pull and break hair over time, particularly for dancers who style their hair every day for rehearsals. For bun building, use a sock bun or doughnut former for a neat, consistent shape. Scrunchies are generally reserved for casual class wear rather than performances unless the costume or uniform calls for one.
Headbands and Decorative Pieces
For lyrical and contemporary styles, soft headbands that sit flat against the head work best. For classical ballet, decorative pieces should be minimal and approved by the teacher. Flowers and clips used in performances are usually supplied or specified by the school.
You will find a range of hair accessories suited to all styles and age groups when you shop our accessories collection.
Dance Bag Essentials: The Accessories Worth Packing Every Time
A well-stocked dance bag saves time and stress at the studio. These are the accessories that experienced dancers and dance parents keep on hand consistently.
- Spare ribbon and a lighter for sealing ends
- Extra bobby pins and hair nets in the correct colour
- Spare elastics
- A sewing kit with thread that matches the ballet shoe colour
- Moleskin or gel toe pads for dancers working in pointe shoes
- Micropore tape for blister prevention
If your dancer is approaching their first pointe shoe fitting, preparation makes a real difference. Our article on what to expect at a pointe shoe fitting walks through the process step by step, including what to bring and how to get the best result from the appointment.
For dancers in New Zealand looking at foot care and shoe accessories specifically, our guide to pointe shoe essentials and feet accessories covers the key products worth having on hand.
A Note on Sizing and Fit for Younger Dancers
Australian dance uniform sizing does not always align with general clothing sizes. When buying accessories for children, check the age and height guidelines on each product rather than defaulting to the size you would choose for everyday clothes. For ribbons, elastics and hair nets, there is generally no sizing concern. For structured accessories like headbands, check the circumference where possible. A headband that is too tight can cause headaches during a long rehearsal day.
When in doubt, contact the studio before purchasing. Teachers usually have strong preferences about the specific products they want dancers to use, particularly for exams and competitions.
