THE EARLY DANCE CONSORT ~ What to wear for classes

For all classes we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing with room to move for warm-up exercises and for dancing. Full skirts, stretch pants, or shorts are fine. Narrow or full-length skirts and tight trousers are not recommended.
Shoes - You may have a street shoe which would serve the purpose. We understand that buying special dance shoes can be expensive. Comfort and safety are most important. Bare feet, joggers or comfortable, light street shoes may be suitable if that's what you're used to. Very high heels, stilettos or heavy, thick-soled shoes or boots are not appropriate, and heavy rubber soles can be hard work when gliding on the floor.
For Renaissance Dance - Flexible flat-soled shoes secured with elastic, straps or laces:-

Ballet flats with leather (or canvas) upper and cut-away ballet-style suede sole, from Bloch, North Shore Ballet Centres or Salvio's

Country Dance Ghillie, made by Geonne in Australia, leather with open lacing, suede sole, no heel, from North Shore Ballet Centres

Chinese Happy shoes and Jiffies are inexpensive, but not ideal with synthetic soles. Jiffies get very hot.

For Baroque Dance - Flexible, low-heeled shoe with elastic, straps or laces, e.g. for women:-

Grecian sandal by Bloch, with T-bar, elastic, suede sole, 2.5cm heel

Character shoe with small (3-4cm Cuban) heel, leather sole and strap

For Both Renaissance and Baroque - suitable for men and women:-

Split-sole Jazz shoe, Tivoli design made by Sansha in China, with laces, suede sole divided into separate (very low) heel and toe sections (with elastic between), from North Shore Ballet Centres

Bloch's Jazzlite shoe, in leather with laces, very low heel & rubber sole
 

See Where to buy links for local suppliers in Sydney

18th C dance shoes

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