Choosing the right leotard matters more than most dancers realise. The wrong fit pulls, gaps, or restricts movement. The right one disappears on the body so the dancer can focus entirely on technique. This Elevé Dancewear buying guide covers styles, fabrics, sizing, and fit so you can shop with confidence.
What Makes Elevé Dancewear Stand Out
Elevé is an Australian-founded brand built specifically for serious dancers. The construction is precise. Seams sit flat. Fabrics are chosen for stretch recovery, meaning they return to shape after every grand battement and backbend. This is not recreational dancewear. It is designed for students who train consistently and need their clothing to keep up.
A few things that distinguish Elevé from general activewear brands:
- Fabrics are sourced for four-way stretch and long-term shape retention.
- Cuts are designed around real dance movement, not just aesthetics.
- Colour range is updated regularly, with neutrals and fashion shades available season to season.
- Sizing is consistent across styles, which matters when you are ordering online.
For a closer look at the brand and why it has become a favourite among Australian dance studios, read our overview of buying Elevé dancewear online in Australia.
How to Choose the Right Leotard Style for Your Dance Discipline
Not all leotards suit all dance styles. The neckline, back cut, and sleeve length all affect how a leotard performs across different genres.
Ballet
For ballet, a clean neckline and low-cut back are standard. Sweetheart and scoop necklines work well for most body types. Avoid anything with bulk around the bodice. Lines need to be visible to the teacher. A simple, fitted silhouette is always the safer choice.
Contemporary and Jazz
These styles allow more flexibility. Deep V-backs, racer backs, and long-sleeve options are all appropriate. If your studio has a uniform requirement, check before purchasing. If not, you have room to choose a style that suits your proportions and personal preference.
Acrobatics and Gymnastics
Prioritise a high leg cut and a secure, non-slip fabric finish. The leotard should move with the body during tumbling and handstands without riding up or shifting. A double-lined gusset is worth looking for in this category.
Elevé Sizing: What You Need to Know Before You Order
Elevé uses Australian sizing conventions. Fit runs true to size for most styles, but there are a few practical points to keep in mind.
- Measure torso length as well as bust and hip. Dance leotards need to fit the full length of the body, not just the chest measurement.
- Growing dancers should be measured fresh every six months. A leotard that fits in Term 1 may be uncomfortable by Term 3.
- If a dancer is between sizes, consider the style. A high-neck fitted style often needs to go up a size. A looser cross-back style may size down comfortably.
- Check the size guide on individual product pages. Elevé provides specific measurements, not just general size labels.
If you are buying for a child and unsure about sizing, browse the full Elevé range here and use the filter options to narrow by size and style. Product pages include detailed measurements to help you decide.
Elevé Dance Pants: Choosing the Right Cut and Fabric
Elevé pants are a separate purchase for many dancers and parents, but they are worth thinking about carefully. The right pair complements the leotard and works for class, not just photoshoots.
- Loose pants and wide-leg styles suit contemporary and lyrical genres. Look for a fabric with enough drape to move cleanly.
- Fitted stirrup or footless styles are more practical for ballet and acrobatics where leg line visibility matters to teachers.
- Mesh panels add visual interest without restricting movement. They work well for jazz and commercial styles.
- Waistband height affects comfort over long training sessions. A mid-rise or high-rise waistband tends to stay in place better during floor work.
Elevé uses fabrics that wash well and maintain their shape after repeated laundering. That matters for families doing multiple washes each week across different classes.
Fabric Guide: What Each Elevé Material Offers
Elevé uses several fabric blends across the range. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right style for the training environment.
- Supplex and nylon blends are durable, hold colour well, and resist pilling. Ideal for high-frequency training.
- Velvet and textured fabrics suit performance and eisteddfod use. They photograph beautifully but require more careful laundering.
- Matte fabrics are the most practical for daily class use. They are forgiving on the body and do not show every crease.
- Shiny or foil fabrics are best kept for performance. They are not designed for sweat-heavy training sessions.
Practical Tips for First-Time Elevé Buyers
If this is your first time purchasing Elevé, start with a core style in a neutral colour. Black, dusty pink, and white are the most versatile and the easiest to match with existing dancewear. Once you know how the sizing fits your dancer, you can explore fashion colours and more detailed styles with confidence.
Elevé leotards and pants are stocked in our Elevé dancewear collection, with new arrivals added throughout the year. Checking back at the start of each term is a good habit, particularly for studios that update uniform requirements seasonally.
