THE EARLY DANCE CONSORT

What to Wear for Dance Classes

For all classes wear loose, comfortable clothing with room to move in warm-up exercises as well as dancing. Full skirts, stretch pants, or shorts are fine. Narrow or full-length skirts and tight trousers not recommended.
Shoes - You may have a street shoe which would serve the purpose. We appreciate that these are a major expense. 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.
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

ADDRESSES
See also Yellow Pages under "Dance Wear..." for more retailers

Bloch Dancewear Specialists www.bloch.com.au
City Shop 208, Pitt Street Mall, Level 2 Skygarden Ph. 9231 4084
Brookvale Shop 313 Warringah Mall  Ph. 9905 0088
Chatswood Shop 412 Westfield  Ph. 9412 1550
Hornsby Shop 2039 Westfield  Ph. 9477 4955
Liverpool Shop 2011 Westfield  Ph. 9601 3934
Miranda Shop 2132 Westfield  Ph. 9525 9190
Parramatta Shop 3091 Westfield  Ph. 9635 9315
North Shore Ballet Centres
Chatswood Shop 9/3-9 Spring Street  Ph/Fax 9412 3560
Brookvale Shop 8/688 Pittwater Road  Ph. 9939 6950
Hornsby Shop 268a Pacific Highway  Ph. 9476 2132
Salvio's Dancing Shoes Pty Ltd
Randwick Shop 34 St Pauls Street  Ph. 9398 3502 or 9398 8468