Royal Academy of Dance exams and grading range from Pre Primary to the Solo Seal and Solo performance awards with the recent addition of Discovering Repertoire. The last thing you’ll want to worry about in the run up to your dance exam is the ballet uniform you’ll be required to wear.
Our guide outlines the Royal Academy of Dance’s updated 2025 dancewear recommendations.
It is important to acknowledge that Royal Academy of Dance now state that “All uniform is recommended, not required” and so it is ultimately down to each teacher for the style, colour and brand of leotard for their dancers.
The Royal Academy of Dance still release a list of uniform recommendations (which are discussed later in this blog), however the RAD advise that where it is not possible to wear their recommendations, alternatives of a similar style or colour may be worn. Exam candidates can now also choose leotards with long sleeves and high necks if they prefer more coverage.
From ballet leotards to convertible tights, it’s important to have the right uniform to match the type of exam you’ll be taking. As a large part of dance is how you present yourself, it is important that your dance clothes are clean and well fitting. If you wear a ballet uniform or dance leotard, make sure that it holds the shape and line of the body. To ensure you look as professional as possible, make sure that no underwear is visible – and as such, the Royal Academy of Dance recommend a seamless underwear design. If worn, ensure makeup is light. Long hair can get in the way, so make sure that you style hair in a bun if it comes down past your jawline. It is worth buying some hair accessories especially for your dance exam to avoid them getting lost or broken beforehand.
Dance to your own tune
Dance to Your Own Tune is the Royal Academy of Dance’s Curriculum for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years. The outcome of this curriculum is for young dancers to move with increased control and learn co-ordination and confidence, and laying the foundations for them to be able to learn and master more complex dance moves later on. If your child is going to start the Dance to Your Own Tune curriculum then it is the teacher’s choice for uniform.
RAD Ballet Exam Uniform - Pre-Primary and Primary
The RAD Pre-Primary and Primary in Dance Class Award is a recognised qualification by the Royal Academy of Dance to prepare children between 5 and 8 years for ballet. This curriculum helps to develop the stamina, creativity and coordination of the students, which will stay with them throughout their dance career. For the Royal Academy of Dance exams, it is important that your child wears the correct uniform. Not only will this make it easier to dance, but it will also ensure they are presented well for the exam.
In Royal Academy of Dance uniform Option 1 (formerly known as female option), there are now multiple options for style and colour. The dancer can wear a short sleeved or skirted leotard in pink, pale pink, lilac, pale lilac, marine blue, pale blue or navy. If a separate skirt is worn, this should be in a colour to match the leotard. Dancers can wear soft ballet shoes with matching elastic in satin, leather or canvas. This can be in pink or to match the skin tone. The choice of shoe colour should tone with the socks.
For Option 2 (formerly known as male option), a dance-specific White, Pale Blue, Grey or Navy leotard or fitted t-shirt, can be worn with black, navy or grey fitted shorts. Also make sure that the dancer has white socks and white or black soft ballet shoes made from canvas or leather.
RAD Ballet Exam Uniform - Grades 1-3
In Grades 1-3, the dancer is introduced to the first of the Royal Academy of Dance’s graded examinations. Alongside the introduction to classical ballet technique and terminology, the dancer also has the opportunity to begin learning character work.
In Option 1 (formerly known as female option), there are now multiple choices for dancewear style and colour. The dancer can wear a short sleeved or sleeveless leotard. In addition to the RAD’s original leotard colours of pink, lilac, marine blue, mulberry, lavender and navy, there are now the additional colours or powder blue, rose and navy.
Dancers can wear soft ballet shoes with matching elastic in satin, leather or canvas. The ballet shoes can be in pink or to match the skin tone. The choice of shoe colour should tone with the socks or tights.
For the character section of the examination, the correct uniform is a black character skirt with braiding, which complements the colour of the dance leotard. The skirt’s hem must be approximately 3 inches below the knee. The shoes worn must be black canvas character shoes with a low heel height. From Grade 3, a higher cuban heel can be worn.
For Option 2 (formerly known as male option), a short sleeve leotard or well fitted t-shirt can be worn in white, pale blue, navy or grey. Shorts or dance tights may be worn. Shorts may be worn in navy, black or grey and dance tights may be worn in navy or black. The dancer should wear white socks, worn over the tights, and white or black soft ballet shoes made from canvas or leather.
For the character section of the examination (uniform Option 2), the dancer must wear lace-up character shoes.
RAD Ballet Exam Uniform - Grades 4-5
The RAD’s ballet exam for Grades 4-5 allows young dancers to demonstrate musicality in ballet, enhance their dance performance skills and demonstrate confidence in a dance routine. Their knowledge and skills develop on from previous grades.
In Option 1 (formerly known as female option), the dancer must wear an elasticated belt to match the colour of the leotard. In addition to the RAD’s original leotard colour options of pink, teal, red, fuchsia, navy, lavender, burgundy and dark green, there are now the additional leotard shades of mulberry, royal and damson.
Dancers can wear soft ballet shoes with matching elastic in satin, leather or canvas. The ballet shoes can be in pink or to match the skin tone. The choice of shoe colour should tone with the socks or tights.
For the character section of the examination, the correct uniform is a black character skirt with braiding, which complements the colour of the dance leotard. The skirt’s hem must be approximately 3 inches below the knee. The shoes worn must be black canvas character shoes with a cuban (higher) heel (however, a lower heel is still permitted). However, the Grade 4 Tarantella requires ballet shoes and not character shoes. The Royal Academy of Dance states that character shoes must not be worn for this Tarantella.
For Option 2 (formerly known as male option), this remains the same uniform choices as Grades 1-3.
RAD Ballet Exam Uniform – Grades 6-8
The RAD’s ballet exams for Grades 6-8 require young dancers to demonstrate their coordination of the whole body and more developed artistry through barre exercises, classical dance, free movement and character dance. They should demonstrate correct posture, timing and musicality.
In Option 1 (formerly known as female option), any classical style of leotard is now permitted, but it must have an elasticated belt to match the leotard colour. The Royal Academy of Dance recommend that the Laurel leotard should be in black, navy, royal blue, lavender, red, burgundy or mulberry. For Grade 6-8, there is a soft mid-calf length georgette or chiffon skirt, which is worn after the barre. A circular style of skirt is preferable but it should match the colour (or tone with) the colour of the leotard.
Dancers can wear soft ballet shoes with matching elastic in satin, leather or canvas. The ballet shoes can be in pink or match the skin tone. The choice of shoe colour should tone with the tights. For Free Movement, exercises may be performed in ballet shoes or bare feet (but convertible tights must be worn to allow the dancer to perform in bare feet).
For the character section of the examination, the correct uniform is a black character skirt with braiding, which complements the colour of the dance leotard. The skirt’s hem must be approximately 3 inches below the knee. The shoes worn must be black canvas character shoes with a cuban (higher) heel.
For Option 2 (formerly known as male option), the dancer has the choice of a leotard. These can be worn in white, pale blue, navy or grey. Shorts are not permitted. White socks may be worn with grey or navy tights, and black socks may be worn with black tights. Socks are always worn over the tights, and white or black soft ballet shoes can be made from canvas or leather (shoe colour to match the socks). For Free Movement, exercises may be performed in bare feet.
For the character section of the examination (uniform Option 2), the dancer must wear lace-up character shoes.
All RAD Vocational examinations – Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 Ballet Exam Uniform
The Royal Academy of Dance have updated their guidance for vocational examinations to streamline uniform recommendations across all vocational examinations.
In Option 1 (formerly known as female option), the style can be capped sleeve or a sleeveless leotard. Alongside their original recommendations of black, navy, royal blue and purple, the RAD have now added in the options of burgundy and black. An elasticated waist belt must be worn to match the leotard.
For vocational exams, there has now been a notable change in the option for skirts. Now an optional short skirt without pattern can be worn that can match/tone with the leotard. However, it is stated that the hem of this skirt should be approximately 30cm from the floor when kneeling. There is also the additional of an optional classical tutu for Variation 1 (should match/tone with leotard), and an optional skirt for Variation 2 (hem should be 30 cm from the floor when kneeling).
Dancers can wear soft ballet shoes with matching elastic in satin, leather or canvas or demi pointe/soft pointe shoes with ribbons. The ballet shoes can be in pink or to match the skin tone.
Pointe shoes with ribbons must be worn for all pointe work sections and female syllabus variations in Advanced Foundation to Advanced 2. The RAD have clarified that elastic may be worn in addition to ribbons if required, however this should also tone with the pointe shoes/tights.
Uniform Option 2 (formerly known as male option), the requirements are identical for vocational examinations as for Grades 6-8. However, as there is no free movement section within the examination, there is no bare foot option.
RAD Solo Seal Ballet Exam Uniform
In Option 1 (formerly known as female option), dancers can wear a leotard in any colour in a capped sleeve or sleeveless style. The RAD have specific requirements for the skirt:
Port de bras A soft chiffon circular skirt or wrap around skirt. This should be mid-calf length and match/tone with the leotard.
The 21st Century Variation A soft short chiffon wrap around skirt, which match/tone the leotard.
Classical variation and Finale: A classical tutu skirt
Dancers must wear pointe shoes with ribbons for all elements of the Solo Seal examination. The RAD have clarified that elastic may be worn in addition to ribbons if required, however this should also tone with the pointe shoes/tights.
For Option 2 (formerly known as male option), dancers have three options – a leotard, a well-fitted short unitard or a well-fitted short sleeve t-shirt tucked into tights. Short are not permitted. For the Largo, Classical variation and Finale, socks can be black or white (matching the shoes) with any colour full length or footed tights. The shoes may be leather or canvas.
However, for the 21st century variation, this is performed with shoes to match the skin tone, no socks, but with any colour full length or 3/4 length tights.
RAD Discovering Repertoire Exam Uniform
The RAD’s Discovering Repertoire is a newer addition to the examination options by the Royal Academy of Dance. All levels of Discovering Repertoire have the same dancewear recommendation.
In Option 1 (formerly known as female option), the RAD recommend a capped sleeve or sleeveless leotard in black or burgundy. An optional chiffon skirt can be worn to match the leotard. For variations at all levels, dancers can wear an optional classical or romantic tutu in white or black, with or without decorative ribbons.
Dancers can wear soft ballet shoes with matching elastic in satin, leather or canvas. The ballet shoes can be in pink or to match the skin tone. The choice of shoe colour should tone with the tights. For Variations 1 & 2 units only, pointe shoes with ribbons may be worn.
For Option 2 (formerly known as male option), the uniform choice is identical to that of Option 2 for vocational examinations.
Please note: All of the information provided above is based on the official RAD guidelines and advice. Individual schools and teachers will have their own requirements when it comes to ballet uniform dancewear requirements. We recommend consulting with your dance teacher and dance school prior to making any purchases.
Here is a quick check list of the ‘extras’ to note for the RAD’s examination uniform recommendations:
- If worn, ensure makeup is light.
- Long hair can get in the way, so make sure that you style hair in a bun if it comes down past your jawline.
- Coloured nail vanish should not be worn.
- Exam candidates can wear white or skin tone coloured arm or leg supports if necessary.
- Exam candidates who wish to wear a hijab or headscarf can do so (providing it does not obscure the line of the head and neck).
- Earrings may be worn if they are a small stud. No other jewellery is permitted, unless for religious or cultural reasons.
- Glasses can be worn for examinations.
- Don’t forget that some examinations require props.